CERRITOS, CA (smt) - The Round of 16 started off with a thud with 2B-Paraguay (1-1-2) playing for penalty kicks before the match started. 1E-Germany (4-0) finally broke through in the 88th minute to become the first team to advance to the quarterfinals. However, 2F-England (2-0-1) put some excitement back by scoring three times in the first half to down 1A-Denmark, 3-0.

1F-Sweden (1-1-2) and 2A-Senegal (2-0-2) exchanged goals in the first half in the first overtime match of the Round of 16. Henri Camara scored his second goal in the 104th minute to send the tiny African nation into the quarterfinals for the first time and probably giving their children yet another day off from school as Senegal celebrates. 2E-Irland made just one of two penalty kicks during regulation and missed 3 of 5 PKs in the tiebreaker to fall to 1B-Spain, 1-1 (3-2 PK). Spain having used all their subs were playing a man down when a player left with an injury giving Ireland the better chances in overtime.

SHOTS: Senegal had 22, Germany 20, and Ireland 18.

EARLY STARTS & MOMENTUM: Most goals in the first round were scored in the second half but 6 of 9 goals were scored in the first half the past two days. And while both sweden and Ireland had the better of chances in overtime, Senegal and Spain are the teams who'll advance.

PKS: After the first 10 penalty kicks were converted, USA's Brad Friedel (2 saves) started a run of goalkeeper luck and skill. Including ESP-IRL's PK tiebreaker, players have missed 9 of their last 17 PK attempts.

RAIN: The two matches I did not see on tape (whether it was the switch from espn2 to espn or as in yesterday only on Univision) were both rain-drenched matches (POR-POL and PAR-ENG).

No one picked Senegal of course. Sixteen people chose Germany and just five had England to make the quarters. These results eliminated SOCCER GURU, yours truly MAN EAT DOG WORLD, and BECK'S LEFT FOOT (who join SOURCE as the only 4 eliminated from money contention). Spain's win (picked by 19) saved two people who had them going all the way and eliminated SPERM JELLY DONUTS.

So just 13 people remain in the running for the 1st place prize of $110 while 18 still have a chance for at least $20. ROCKY MTN SOCCER (84.4%) and BERNISAM UNITED FC (82.9%) are virtually assured of money and are the only two with a greater than 30% chance to win first. However, both of these had Argentina to win it all. PUNA (47.5%) and LUIS ENRIQUE'S ARMADA (42.4%) both are in good shape as well to win money.

Now ROCKY and BERNISAM are tied for first with 73 pts while EEK and CRESTFIELD WAX PAPER are tied for last with 53 (both still alive). LUIS ENRIQUE'S ARMADA (69) is now in 3rd followed by PUNA (67). BERNISAM, MATADOR (5th-T, 64), and INDY (8th, 63) are the only ones to get 3 of 4 correct. With 90 pts left in the pool, it could be an exciting finish, provided there aren't anymore upsets. Could ROCKY and BERNISAM wrap up at least fourth place by Tuesday morning?

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Japan, Turkey, Senegal- one will make the Semis!...
Scott HW