World Cup and European leagues

[sac]

I know Mr Y was trying to figure out the scenarios for Group C, so here they are from the BBC............they didn't help me at all.

The Netherlands have won Group C and will play the Group D runners-up in the quarter-finals.

Romania will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat the Netherlands, eliminating France and Italy.

If Romania fail to beat the Netherlands, the winner of France v Italy will go through.

If France and Italy draw, a point against the Netherlands would be enough to send Romania through. France must win to have any chance of qualifying.

If France and Italy share a score draw (1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc), Italy will go through if Romania lose (by any score). In this scenario, Italy, Romania and France will be level on two points each but Italy would have scored more goals in games between the 3 teams.

Romania will finish bottom of the group if they lose and France and Italy draw 2-2, 3-3 or 4-4. France will finish bottom if they draw 1-1 unless Romania lose 3-0 or by a four-goal margin.


If France and Italy draw 0-0, Romania can lose by one goal, two goals or by a three-goal margin other than 3-0 but still qualify. In this scenario, Italy and Romania would have identical head-to-head records, but Romania would have better goal difference in ALL group matches or, in the case of the three-goal defeats, goals scored. France would finish bottom, having scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If Romania lose 3-0 to the Dutch, Italy would qualify with a 0-0 draw against France because of their superior coefficient points. France would finish bottom as they would have scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If Romania lose by four goals or more and the other game ends 0-0, Italy would proceed with a better overall goal difference than Romania. France would finish bottom as they would have scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If France and Italy draw AND Romania avoid defeat, then Romania go through. France and Italy will have identical records and a unprecedented penalty shoot-out will decide who finishes third and fourth.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Sorry for my lack of, ahem, clarity regarding round 2, the Romanians and Italians.

They played each other.  Draw?

Sorry Old School, got all sortsa squirrely thinking the Romanians run the HMFC show, when its actually the Lithuanians.  I can get cryptic when my thoughts race.  My pick was the same as 83's in that case as well, Italians to win.

signed,
Universe Man

[WLCALUM83]

Romania to win, Italy and France to draw 0-0 with all 22 players sent off.

Leaving the referee and linesmen to take any penalty kicks, no doubt. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I figured someone would figure it out - dang!  I was hoping it would go to a 3-way duel at 10-paces!  Better yet, I wanted a 3-way golden-goal OT on a triangular field!  

[Reminds me of a game they play around here (don't know if it is local, or a well-known universal game) called "World Cup": There's a keeper, but otherwise everyone is playing solo.  You score, you sit and are in the next round.  Last player to not score is out.  Rounds continue until final two battle each other as simultaneously offense/defense.]

That last paragraph freaks me out - they actually would go to PKs to decide 3rd and 4th??!!

[Hoosier Titan]

Here's the latest from the BBC.  Freak not, Ypsi--they won't go to a shootout if France and Italy are third and fourth. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/italy/7457863.stm

Supposedly Chelsea were preparing a £50 million bid for Torres, as well as going after Kaka.  But all of the factions of the Liverpool leadership, along with Torres himself, say he's staying put.  Nice to see some loyalty.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I only caught the last 7-8 minutes of Germany/Austria; did Austria's defense play really well, or was Germany playing very consevatively (since even a tie would send them through)?  I was expecting more like a 3-4 goal win for the Germans.

[Greek Tragedy]

Supposedly Chelsea were preparing a £50 million bid for Torres, as well as going after Kaka.  But all of the factions of the Liverpool leadership, along with Torres himself, say he's staying put.  Nice to see some loyalty.

I'll believe it when the summer transfer window closes.

[cawcdad]

With 9 lineup changes and seemingly on cruise control, the Dutch still win 2 - 0. Although the Romanians had some chances, I was surprised that there seemed to be no sense of urgency on their part. Is the Netherlands that good in this tournament?

[Mr. Ypsi]

With 9 lineup changes and seemingly on cruise control, the Dutch still win 2 - 0. Although the Romanians had some chances, I was surprised that there seemed to be no sense of urgency on their part. Is the Netherlands that good in this tournament?

It certainly seems that way.  Group C was generally termed the 'Group of Death'; Nederland +8, Italy -1, Romania -2, France -5!   The next question seems to be: will they crush Sweden or Russia in the quarters?!  (I'm gonna say Sweden 2, Russia 1; though since the Swedes advance even with a tie, 1-1 might be an option.)  Dutch 3, Swedes 1 (or, covering my ass, Dutch 4, Russians 0).

In other quarterfinals:

Croatia/Turkey: how will the Turks respond to their keeper's brainfart?  If they regroup and come out inspired, the might pull the upset, but I'll go with the Croats, 2-0.

Portugal/Germany: maybe the match of the Euros so far.  I think the Portuguese side has the talent, and the German inability to toss aside the overmatched Austrians worries me, but I'll go with the upset (if it even is that): Germany 2-1 (which would be a shame, since a Dutch-Portuguese match down the line would be highly entertaining).

Spain/Italy: is Italy back, or does France stink that badly (they scored one goal the entire tourney, though that was the only goal Nederland yielded )?  In loyalty to my son (the Azzuri fan), I'll say Italy 1, Spain 1, with the Italians taking it on PKs.*

*Upon further consideration, Italy beat France on a PK and a deflected (by Henry) free kick, played 11v10 most of the game, and Ribery was injured in the 7th minute - Italy is NOT (necessarily) back, and Spain will probably win.  Nonetheless, I'll leave the prediction as is out of loyalty to my son!

[Hoosier Titan]

Remember, too, that Italy will be without Pirlo and Gattuso for the match with Spain due to yellow cards.  I think the Spanish defense will be the key link there--if Puyol is still out and Sergio Ramos does another John Travolta imitation in front of goal (funniest line of commentary so far), the Spanish are in trouble.  Otherwise, I think they'll get past Italy.

And the Russians have been without Andrei Arshavin, who was very impressive in the UEFA Cup final last month.  If he can give them good minutes, I think they have a chance against Sweden.   

I do think the Dutch really are that good.  They actually seem to enjoy playing together, unlike the French.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Yeah, I forgot to include the Italian card exclusions.  It should be a slam-dunk (sorry for the mixed metaphor ) for Spain, but historically, it is still Italy and it is still Spain.  Spain may well win it, but (even aside from son loyalty) I'd be half-way surprised if Italy doesn't somehow pull it out. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Not real sure what John Travolta has to do with soccer, but the "It's a Dutch oven and the French.......are toast" was classic in my book.

[Greek Tragedy]

Once the quarterfinals are set, all you lurkers can make your picks for the rest of the tourney, including the Final Score...do it!

So far:

Portugal v Germany
Croatia v Turkey
Netherlands v Russia or Sweden
Spain v Italy

[sac]

The Dutch were stupid to leave the Italians in the tournament.......momentum be damned.

[sac]

Sweden and Spain to win.