Spain's era of dominance is officially over today.
What a run they had (2008-2013):
2008 EURO Champion, 2010 World Cup Champion, 2012 EURO Champion
FIFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Most consecutive games undefeated ever: 35 (2007-2009) Most consecutive competitive matches undefeated ever: 29 (2010-2013) Most consecutive wins including friendlies: 15 (2008-2009)
2008-2009 Competitive Match Record: 19-1-1 (The 1 loss was to USA 2:0 in the semifinals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup) 2010-2013 Competitive Match Record: 27-2-5 (Only losses to Switzerland in the 2010 World Cup Group Stage 1:0, and to Brazil in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Final 3:0)
I'm really looking forward to England x Uruguay.
Both because I think it will be a good game, and because I'm mainly supporting Uruguay - and, after losing to Costa Rica, they need to win this one if they want to have any chance at advancing.
And sorry, Spain supporters, but I'm glad that Spain isn't advancing. Their football style might be (or have been) effective, but I've always found it dull and boring to watch.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from parinoid »
I rolled 5 D6's and got 3 fours. They must have changed the odds of getting a 4!
It's funny, because all of the statistical indicators based on previous World Cups and known indicators have all but proven this is the result we should expect from England, but no one listens to us stats guys.
They did it with Beckham back in the day as well. There is a scapegoat on every team that loses. What have you thought about the officiating? I thought it got off to a horrific start, but has been "improving"
I really wish they would crack down on diving, but that is like asking a crab to not walk sideways I guess. It does a disservice to the game
Reffing started out sketchy, and it's slightly improved, still a few more questionable calls than I'd like to see, but overall it's just fine. In reality, diving is bad, but at this point I just equate it with receivers popping up every play asking for pass interference, defensive linemen wanting holding calls, DWade and CP3 in the NBA(and Gino). The only sport where some type of simulation isn't prevalent is Baseball.
Well, it's not like England are oficially out. If Italy wins both matches (very plausible) and England trashes Costa Rica (definitely possible), they advance.
Anyway, today was a great day. Japan-Greece just ended, and even though it was a goalless draw, it was still quite fun to watch, with some amazing saves by both goalies. Japan kept attacking and attacking, but the outnumbered Greeks managed to hold the fort until the end (hmmm, I feel like I've read this story before). Nothing like Uruguay-England or Colombia-Ivory Coast, but still exciting.
I actually believe that, despite the loss, England still has a better chance of qualification than Uruguay (unfortunately, for me).
The needed scenario would probably be for Italy to win against Costa Rica and against Uruguay, and for England to win against Costa Rica. That seems perfectly reasonable and, actually, it seems like the most probable results.
This would mean that Italy would have 9 points, and all the other teams would have 3 points each, making it a tiebreaker based on goal difference - and England has a good opportunity to be ahead of Uruguay in that department.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from parinoid »
I rolled 5 D6's and got 3 fours. They must have changed the odds of getting a 4!
@Mr Bloody Minded: Hmm, there's a face I haven't seen in a while!
I've been an Italy supporter for years, but this was a fairly disgraceful showing. It kinda felt like the team is Pirlo + ten average players (even Balotelli wasted opportunities). Guess we'll get a match between Uruguay and Italy where Italy proceed if they draw or win, while Uruguay must win. Will be exciting, but Italy needs to pull it together. Especially De Rossi was disappointing today.
Well, looks like we have another clear candidate for the title - France is 5-0 up against Switzerland. Sadly I'm only following along on radio - I would have much liked to watch this one on TV.
So many twists and turns in this World Cup. One can never know what'll happen next.
I was rooting for the US in this particular match. It's refreshing to watch them as they don't yell at the ref or play dead if they get touched to the same extent as many of the other teams. Shame they couldn't hold on to their lead, but this way we'll now have an incredibly exciting final round for group G...
Portugal didn't play like the 4th ranked team at all. USA owned possession, and if not for the bad clear in the 5th minute, it might have had a different outcome.
Grofaz, props to you for noticing the US players aren't winning any acting awards
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's too late to stop reading it....
OK< so I took the time to figure out what needs to happen for the US to advance on Thursday. Do note that the Draw lots tiebreak is in full effect here regarding Portugal and the US:
US Wins: US advances as Group G Winner, faces Group H Runner Up
US and Germany Draws OR Portugal and Ghana Draw: US Advances as Group G Runner up, faces Group H winner
If we do lose though, we can still advance as group G Runner up if any of the below happens:
USA loses by 1: Portugal needs to win by 5 or Ghana needs to win by 2 to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 4 OR we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US Loses by 2: Portugal needs to win by 4 or Ghana needs to win to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 3 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US loses by 3: Portugal needs to win by 3 or Ghana needs to win to Eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 2 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
OK< so I took the time to figure out what needs to happen for the US to advance on Thursday. Do note that the Draw lots tiebreak is in full effect here regarding Portugal and the US:
US Wins: US advances as Group G Winner, faces Group H Runner Up
US and Germany Draws OR Portugal and Ghana Draw: US Advances as Group G Runner up, faces Group H winner
If we do lose though, we can still advance as group G Runner up if any of the below happens:
USA loses by 1: Portugal needs to win by 5 or Ghana needs to win by 2 to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 4 OR we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US Loses by 2: Portugal needs to win by 4 or Ghana needs to win to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 3 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US loses by 3: Portugal needs to win by 3 or Ghana needs to win to Eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 2 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
This tiebreaker info is false.
To make it clear here's the scenario from a USA perspective. Some of your info is correct so it will look like I'm re-hashing it but I just want it all there.
USA Wins, Into Round of 16 as Group winner.
USA draws, Into Round of 16 as Group Runner-Up.
USA Loses but Ghana/Portugal draw, USA advances as Runner-Up.
USA Loses and Ghana wins, with any combination of more than 2 goal difference (i.e. Germany wins by more than 1 or Ghana wins by more than 1 goal.) Ghana advances on goal differential.
If Ghana wins and both games are 1 goal margins, than USA advances on head-to-head (No drawing pots.)
If USA loses and Portugal wins (The better outcome of a USA loss/Gha/Por non draw) The total of goal difference of the two games would have to be at least 5 for Portugal to advance.
Although, it was sad, that Juergen decided to take his retirement as the coach of the german team, after we lost the quarter final against italy (really really lucky for Italy...:/) in the World Cup 2006 in germany.
Hmm, did we watch the same match? The one where Italy hit the post and the crossbar within 2-3 minutes of each other (and a lot of other near-misses as well). It's actually the first time I've heard someone say that Italy didn't win that match deservedly. Other matches in that World Cup, sure (*ahem* Australia), but Italy played really well against Germany.
Brazil vs Chile & Mexico vs Netherlands..... Chile has been upsetting everyone so if they do it again it would be legendary. Mexico's my team but I have to admit Netherlands will most likely go all the way to the finals :\ though luck.
What a run they had (2008-2013):
2008 EURO Champion, 2010 World Cup Champion, 2012 EURO Champion
FIFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Most consecutive games undefeated ever: 35 (2007-2009)
Most consecutive competitive matches undefeated ever: 29 (2010-2013)
Most consecutive wins including friendlies: 15 (2008-2009)
2008-2009 Competitive Match Record: 19-1-1 (The 1 loss was to USA 2:0 in the semifinals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup)
2010-2013 Competitive Match Record: 27-2-5 (Only losses to Switzerland in the 2010 World Cup Group Stage 1:0, and to Brazil in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Final 3:0)
Both because I think it will be a good game, and because I'm mainly supporting Uruguay - and, after losing to Costa Rica, they need to win this one if they want to have any chance at advancing.
And sorry, Spain supporters, but I'm glad that Spain isn't advancing. Their football style might be (or have been) effective, but I've always found it dull and boring to watch.
I was happy to see Rooney get his goal
I really wish they would crack down on diving, but that is like asking a crab to not walk sideways I guess. It does a disservice to the game
Anyway, today was a great day. Japan-Greece just ended, and even though it was a goalless draw, it was still quite fun to watch, with some amazing saves by both goalies. Japan kept attacking and attacking, but the outnumbered Greeks managed to hold the fort until the end (hmmm, I feel like I've read this story before). Nothing like Uruguay-England or Colombia-Ivory Coast, but still exciting.
*****
ricklongo and RicardoLongo on MTGO
*****
Visit my gaming blog: http://www.gamingsweetgaming.blogspot.com
****************
Check out Rick's Picks, my PureMTGO article series
****************
The needed scenario would probably be for Italy to win against Costa Rica and against Uruguay, and for England to win against Costa Rica. That seems perfectly reasonable and, actually, it seems like the most probable results.
This would mean that Italy would have 9 points, and all the other teams would have 3 points each, making it a tiebreaker based on goal difference - and England has a good opportunity to be ahead of Uruguay in that department.
That was an excellent game, and I continue to be impressed by how well the Costa Rican team is playing.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
I've been an Italy supporter for years, but this was a fairly disgraceful showing. It kinda felt like the team is Pirlo + ten average players (even Balotelli wasted opportunities). Guess we'll get a match between Uruguay and Italy where Italy proceed if they draw or win, while Uruguay must win. Will be exciting, but Italy needs to pull it together. Especially De Rossi was disappointing today.
I was rooting for the US in this particular match. It's refreshing to watch them as they don't yell at the ref or play dead if they get touched to the same extent as many of the other teams. Shame they couldn't hold on to their lead, but this way we'll now have an incredibly exciting final round for group G...
Grofaz, props to you for noticing the US players aren't winning any acting awards
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's too late to stop reading it....
US Wins: US advances as Group G Winner, faces Group H Runner Up
US and Germany Draws OR Portugal and Ghana Draw: US Advances as Group G Runner up, faces Group H winner
If we do lose though, we can still advance as group G Runner up if any of the below happens:
USA loses by 1: Portugal needs to win by 5 or Ghana needs to win by 2 to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 4 OR we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US Loses by 2: Portugal needs to win by 4 or Ghana needs to win to eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 3 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
US loses by 3: Portugal needs to win by 3 or Ghana needs to win to Eliminate the US (If Portugal wins by 2 we go to drawing lots to determine who advances)
Come join us in the MTGSalvation chat ||| My trade thread. ||| My Personal Modern Blog: The Fetchlands
This tiebreaker info is false.
To make it clear here's the scenario from a USA perspective. Some of your info is correct so it will look like I'm re-hashing it but I just want it all there.
USA Wins, Into Round of 16 as Group winner.
USA draws, Into Round of 16 as Group Runner-Up.
USA Loses but Ghana/Portugal draw, USA advances as Runner-Up.
USA Loses and Ghana wins, with any combination of more than 2 goal difference (i.e. Germany wins by more than 1 or Ghana wins by more than 1 goal.) Ghana advances on goal differential.
If Ghana wins and both games are 1 goal margins, than USA advances on head-to-head (No drawing pots.)
If USA loses and Portugal wins (The better outcome of a USA loss/Gha/Por non draw) The total of goal difference of the two games would have to be at least 5 for Portugal to advance.
Hmm, did we watch the same match? The one where Italy hit the post and the crossbar within 2-3 minutes of each other (and a lot of other near-misses as well). It's actually the first time I've heard someone say that Italy didn't win that match deservedly. Other matches in that World Cup, sure (*ahem* Australia), but Italy played really well against Germany.
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/trading-post/details/805-w-underground-sea-h-revised-lands
Brazil 1:2 Chile (a.e.t.)
70' Arturo Vidal (CHI)
76' Thiago Silva (BRA)
120' Alexis Sánchez (CHI)
Netherlands 2:0 Mexico
56' Robin van Persie
61' Robin van Persie