2006 HWCI World Cup Pool Update

Monday, July 3, 2006
Issue # 13.4.1 "For All the Marbles"
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CERRITOS, CA (smt) -- The All-Euro WC kicks off with three-time WC winners 1A-Germany (4-0-1) and 1E-Italy (4-0-1) facing off in the first Semifinal in Dortmund, Germany. GER is tied for the most goals with 11 while ITA has only given up one goal... an own goal. While GER has done well to deal with the pressure of being the host country, ITA has dealt well with all the distractions at home due to the match-fixing scandal. In the second semifinal (Munich), unimpressive 1D-Portugal (4-0-1) will take on a surprising 2G-France (3-0-2) team which finally turned it on to beat ESP & BRA after barely making it out of Group play. POR is looking to make the final for the first time while FRA will be looking for their 2nd finals appearance.

ZZ TOP: FRA's Zinedine ZIDANE waited until the Knockout stage to turn it on... he has scored once and two of his free kicks led to two other goals... he will retire for a second time from the national team after this WC...

KLOSE TO KLOSE: GER's Miraslav KLOSE leads all scorers with five goals... all five have come via the foot... he also had five goals in 2002- all five via the head... he's just the second player to score 5 or more goals in two WCs...

BUFFON BUFFO: ITA's Gianluigi BUFFON has made 21 saves on 21 opponent shots on goal... he is, however, 0 for 1 on shots from his own teammates... he is tied for 2nd with 21 saves...

JUST RICARDO: While POR has struggled to score, the six goals the fewest of the semifinalists, GK RICARDO has allowed just one goal while making 20 saves... he guessed right on all four ENG PKs, saving an incredible three of them in the quarters... NED peppered him with nine shots on goal but RICARDO kept the clean sheet in the Round of 16...

At either 2 pm PDT (or 3 pm if OT) Tuesday, we will know who the 3rd HWCI World Cup Pool Champion will be. Dave F (THE MIGHTY MOBELFAKTA) has already clinched at least $70 but will hope for the mother lode of $220 if GER defeats ITA. Otherwise, Cynthia R (ELASTIGIRL) will become the second female and co-worker to win the pool. More is at stake for Cynthia as a GER win means she'll go home empty-handed. So it's either $220 or zilch. Albert H (HOFBRAU FUTBAL) will clinch at least $70 with a GER win while Scott T (FUTBAL FABONE) will get at least $40 with a ITA win.

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Do I root for GER (possible $110 or nothing) or ITA (guaranteed $40 (maybe $70))???...
Scott