Here's your World Cup "football" pool
Everybody into the pool. There are 16 teams left in the World Cup soccer tourney, and here's your chance to predict the winners. Enter the pool on this blog. It's free. If you're the winner here, we'll get together for a couple of drinks of one's choice at a suitable location here in Portland after the results are official, and (although it would be wrong to gamble for an item of value) I might even be inclined to buy for the winner.
There are 16 games in the pool: eight this weekend through Tuesday; four quarterfinals next Friday and Saturday; one semi-final on the Fourth of July and another on the 5th; a game for third place on July 8; and the big finale on the 9th.
To play, check out the official brackets at the FIFA site here, or on my Excel spreadsheet here. Note that each remaining match has a number assigned to it (49 to 64). Send your picks for each game, plus the four tiebreakers, to me electronically. One way to do so would be by leaving your choices in a comment to this post. You could also e-mail me a filled-in version of the Excel spreadsheet linked to above. Or e-mail your selections to me any old way. On your entry form, please use the official match number for each match, and don't forget the four tiebreakers.
Scoring will be as follows:
One point for every correct selection in the round of 16 (49 to 56).
Two points for every correct selection in the quarterfinal round (57 to 60).
Three points for every correct selection in the semi-finals (61 and 62).
Two points for the correct selection in the third-place match (63).
Five points for the correct selection in the final match (64).
The tiebreakers will be consulted only in the case of a tie in scoring. They will be applied in numerical order, with the earliest of the four breaking the tie. They are:
1. Total number of goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored in Match 64.
2. Goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored by winning side in Match 64.
3. Goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored by losing side in Match 64.
4. Total number of goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored, all 16 matches.
Here are the matchups, in a narrative form. If you like, you can cut and paste this to get your entry together:
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: __________
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: __________
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: __________
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: __________
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: __________
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: __________
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: __________
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: __________
Entries must be posted by kickoff of the first game tomorrow -- 8 a.m. PDT! Hope to hear from you this afternoon and evening. Good luck, everybody!
Posted at 2:04 PM
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Comments (32)
Jack,
I assume goals in penalty shoot-outs will not count in either the overall total of the championship game total?
Posted by teacherrefpoet | June 23, 2006 2:25 PM
That should read "total or", not "total of."
Posted by teacherrefpoet | June 23, 2006 2:26 PM
Here's my entry in cut-and-paste form (I'll also email you an excel file to make it easier for you; I just wanted to show everyone else my picks):
Total number of goals scored in Match 64 = 3
2. Goals scored by winning side in Match 64 = 2
3. Goals scored by losing side in Match 64 = 1
4. Total number of goals scored, all 16 matches = 45
Here are the matchups, in a narrative form. If you like, you can cut and paste this to get your entry together:
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: Ecuador
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Portugal
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Italy
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Die Suisse
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: Spain
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Argentina
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Italy
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: Ecuador
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: Brazil
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Argentina
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: Brazil
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Italy
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: Brazil
Posted by hilsy | June 23, 2006 2:32 PM
Teacher, that is a correct assumption. I have modified the post to clarify this point.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 23, 2006 2:33 PM
My entry:
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: England
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Netherlands
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Italy
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Ukraine
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: France
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Argentina
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Ukraine
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: England
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: France
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Argentina
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: England
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Ukraine
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: England
Final Score-England 3-Argentina 1.
Total Goals in all 16 matches: 40.
Posted by David | June 23, 2006 2:44 PM
too many numbers! Not enough fours! I'm just going to drink some beer and enjoy the games that are left! yay! I will hoot for the underdog, too.
Posted by pril | June 23, 2006 2:47 PM
As Garry Lineker, England soccer alum and current sports anchor, once wryly observed....."Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win."
Posted by haha | June 23, 2006 2:49 PM
I made some predictions for the Round of 16 over on my page, but followed that with a different set of predictions for the pool. Go figure. Still, who knows? Maybe something I said will tip someone toward a correct pick....not that I'd put money, beer, bottle caps, or even a small pile of dirt on that possibility.
Good luck y'all. Just say "Spain" over and over and you can't go wrong (kidding!).
Posted by Jeff Bull | June 23, 2006 4:13 PM
Since USA and Togo (did you see the reaction of Togo's Massamasso Tchangai when opponent Lee Eul-Yong of South Korea fell with a leg cramp? good sport, that guy...) are out of it, I have decided to kick in with, of all teams, Ghana - because wouldn't THAT be something? So here I go:
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: GERMANY
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: ARGENTINA
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: ECUADOR
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: PORTUGAL
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: ITALY
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: UKRAINE
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: GHANA
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: SPAIN
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: GERMANY
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: UKRAINE
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: ECUADOR
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: GHANA
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: GERMANY
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: GHANA
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: UKRAINE
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: GHANA
Tiebreakers (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs)
1. Total number of goals scored in Match 64: 3
2. Goals scored by winning side in Match 64: 2
3. Goals scored by losing side in Match 64: 1
4. Total number of goals scored, all 16 matches: 29
Realistically, I suppose I will have to drink with Jack some other time...
Posted by tjtassin | June 23, 2006 4:43 PM
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: England
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Portugal
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Australia
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Ukraine
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: Spain
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Argentina
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Austrailia
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: Portugal
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: Spain
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Argentina
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: Spain
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Austrailia
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: Argentina
Game 64: 2-1
Total goals: 35
Posted by Alan DeWitt | June 23, 2006 5:03 PM
This is why I love your blog jack..it doesn't frigging matter if the subject is campaign reform, tort and taxes (i think i ate there once), the PDC evil empire, politicians, lead in candy bars or kids and cats...you put your all into it...witness the soccer pool. You are a man of passion and this blog reflects that passion. Rock on! And my grampa would never forgive me if i didn't say Vitória a Portugal!
Posted by jack danger | June 23, 2006 6:04 PM
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: England
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Netherlands
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Italy
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Ukraine
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: France
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Germany beats Argentina
58. Italy beats Ukraine
59. England beats Netherlands on penalties after a draw
60. Brazil beats France.
Semi-finals winners (3 points each)
61. Germany
62. Brazil (unless Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney, and David Beckham all play the game of their lives)
Consolation:
63. England
Championship match (5 points)
64. Brazil
Total goals not counting penalties-after-draws: 41
Posted by Amanda Fritz | June 23, 2006 7:19 PM
Cup Final score: Brazil 3 Germany 2
Posted by Amanda Fritz | June 23, 2006 7:20 PM
These predictions are based on years of study and lots of scientific calculations. I'm picking the country whose name comes first alphabetically in each round:
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: Ecuador
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Netherlands
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Australia
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Switzerland
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: France
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Argentina
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Australia
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: Ecuador
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: Brazil
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Argentina
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: Brazil
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Australia
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: Argentina
If Australia manages to come in third I think I'll probably have it. :)
Posted by swankette | June 23, 2006 9:27 PM
I almost forgot tiebreakers:
1. 3
2. 2
3. 1
4. 48
Posted by swankette | June 23, 2006 9:31 PM
I'll definitely be watching these soccer matches. Anything to get my mind off golf right now. ---Phil Mickelson
Posted by Bill McDonald | June 23, 2006 10:01 PM
49. Germany v. Sweden—Winner: Germany
50. Argentina v. Mexico—Winner: Argentina
51. England v. Ecuador—Winner: England
52. Italy v. Australia—Winner: Italy
53. Portugal v. Netherlands—Winner: Netherlands
54. Switzerland v. Ukraine—Winner: Switzerland
55. Brazil v. Ghana—Winner: Brazil
56. Spain v. France—Winner: France
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden v. winner of Argentina-Mexico—Winner: Argentina
58. Winner of Italy-Australia v. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine—Winner: Italy
59. Winner of England-Ecuador v. winner of Portugal-Netherlands—Winner: Netherlands
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana v. winner of Spain-France—Winner: Brazil
61. Winner of match 57 v. winner of match 58—Winner: Argentina
62. Winner of match 59 v. winner of match 60—Winner: Brazil
63. loser of match 61 v. loser of match 62—Winner: Italy
64. winner of match 61 v. winner of match 62—Winner: Argentina 3-2
Total Goals Scored in Knockout Round: 37
Posted by Jyah13 | June 23, 2006 10:32 PM
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: England
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Netherlands
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Italy
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Ukraine
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: Spain
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Germany
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Italy
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: Netherlands
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: Brazil
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Germany
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: Brazil
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Argentina
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: Germany
Posted by pankleb | June 23, 2006 11:06 PM
Whoops. Goals.
1. Total number of goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored in Match 64: 3
2. Goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored by winning side in Match 64: 2
3. Goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored by losing side in Match 64: 1
4. Total number of goals (not including goals in penalty shoot-outs) scored, all 16 matches: 40
Posted by pankleb | June 23, 2006 11:09 PM
Round of 16 (1 point each)
49. Germany vs. Sweden. Winner: Germany
50. Argentina vs. Mexico. Winner: Argentina
51. England vs. Ecuador. Winner: England
52. Portugal vs. Netherlands. Winner: Portugal
53. Italy vs. Australia. Winner: Italy
54. Switzerland vs. Ukraine. Winner: Switzerland
55. Brazil vs. Ghana. Winner: Brazil!
56. Spain vs. France. Winner: France
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Winner of Germany-Sweden vs. winner of Argentina-Mexico. Winner: Germany
58. Winner of Italy-Australia vs. winner of Switzerland-Ukraine. Winner: Italy
59. Winner of England-Ecuador vs. winner of Portugal-Netherlands. Winner: Portugal
60. Winner of Brazil-Ghana vs. winner of Spain-France. Winner: Brazil!
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Winner of match 57 vs. winner of match 58. Winner: Germany
62. Winner of match 59 vs. winner of match 60. Winner: Portugal
Third place match (2 points)
63. Loser of match 61 vs. loser of match 62. Winner: Brazil!
Championship match (5 points)
64. Winner of match 61 vs. winner of match 62. Winner: Portugal
1. 5
2. 3
3. 2
4. 51
Posted by The Bean | June 23, 2006 11:15 PM
My own picks:
49. GER
50. ARG
51. ECU
52. NED
53. ITA
54. UKR
55. BRA
56. ESP
57. GER
58. ITA
59. NED
60. BRA
61. GER
62. BRA
63. ITA
64. GER
Tiebreakers:
Total Match 64: 2
Winner Match 64: 2
Loser Match 64: 0
Total all 16 matches: 39
Disclaimer: I don't know what I'm talking about.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 24, 2006 12:31 AM
8 different champions.
Who is TheBean? How did he get my email to Jack to copy all of my winners exactly? Are you working for NSA, Bean?
Posted by teacherrefpoet | June 24, 2006 8:16 AM
I'm too join to "officially" enter...but France will take the whole thing, while beating Brazil in game 60!
Then again, I often draw to an inside straight.
Posted by Frank Dufay | June 24, 2006 9:09 AM
TRP,
Freaky. I guess it was a case of great minds. Or in my case, a sleep deprived one. Certainly unintentional on my part.
Posted by The Bean | June 24, 2006 10:43 AM
Are you working for NSA, Bean?
What did you think happened when you entered your information into OregonLive? lol
Posted by The Bean | June 24, 2006 10:45 AM
Bean,
Great minds indeed. Portugal was my pre-tournament pick, but now that I've seen them play, there's no way they're winning. Still, I think it's smarmy to back off a team once they're picked. Hence, the pick.
Be good with my personal info.
Posted by teacherrefpoet | June 24, 2006 11:46 AM
here's my entry (I know I can't win because it's late...been on the road, but I want to play anyway, and there haven't been any surprises so far ;)
49. Germany
50. Argentina
51. England
52. Netherlands
53. Italy
54. Swityerland
55. Brazil
56. spain
Quarterfinals (2 points each)
57. Germany
58. Swityerland
59. Netherlands
60. brayil
Semi-finals (3 points each)
61. Germany
62. Brayil
63. Third: Netherlands
64. Championship: Germany
cheers!
rick
Posted by beerick | June 25, 2006 2:23 AM
total goals: 4
winner goals: 2
loser goals: 2
total all goals: 39
gotta read, gotta read...
Posted by beerick | June 25, 2006 2:26 AM
What are your predictions on the number of goals in match 55? Brazil vs Ghana?
Posted by angel | June 27, 2006 3:07 AM
My favorite team before the World Cup started and has always been England, but after the World Cup has started, I have my doubts. Anyways, I want them to win and so I wish them "all the best." May the combined efforts of Rooney, Lampard, Beckham, Cole, Crouch, etc., come to the fore and they win this world cup convincingly.
Amen!
Posted by Amarjit | June 27, 2006 3:14 AM
Comming up,
Brazil will beat France
Argentina will beat Germany
Italy will beat Ukraine
Portugal will beat England
Next,
Argentina will beat Italy
Brazil will beat Portugal
The FINAL,
Brazil will beat Argentina
I believe BRAZIL will be 6 times World Champion
Posted by Fernando Gadala | June 28, 2006 2:15 PM
France will beat Brazil, England will beat Portugal...and then France will remind England what you do with a parasitic monarchy. You kick their butt!
Posted by Frank Dufay | June 28, 2006 7:55 PM