2010 HWCI World Cup Pool Update

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Issue # 1.0.1 "Sanibonani!"
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BELLINGHAM, WA (smt) - Just came back from Victoria, BC, being in the country that if the 3 Canadian MLS teams do indeed sell out all their games in 2012, could have one of the highest passionate fan to worst national team ratio (really, Canada, you can't even make The Hexagonal?). But it inspired me to finally kick off this pool (though those who see me at Galaxy or Chivas USA games got paper copies of the bracket in April), 10 days til Opening Day. My real job has been extremely busy but the 4th Quadrennial HWCI World Cup Pool is finally here!

There are no changes from the 2006 Pool. Same entry form, just different teams. Teams such as North Korea (or Korea DPR or PRK), Honduras, and New Zealand, normally bottom feeders who are making their first appearance in years. Serbia, who is making the Cup for the first time without Montenegro. Host South Africa, with its own host of problems, has the second-worst FIFA ranking (PRK is last at # 105) at # 83 (though they moved up 7 spots since the last ranking!). Portugal, the only team in the FIFA top 7 (#3) who is not a top seed to head a group (not including RSA of course) making Group G with #1 Brazil a seemingly two-team battle (though we know what happened to mighty Portugal in 2002 - thanks USA). Speaking of the Yanks, USA's Group C with top-seed England is the only group with all four teams in the top 30. Defending champ Italy (#5) has its three Group F opponents outside the top 30. RSA has a tough task in continuing the streak of host teams making the second round with #9 France, #16 Uruguay, and #17 Mexico in their path.

We had 44 entries in 2006 and hope to top that this year, especially since USA has a decent shot at getting far (being out of Europe and a decent group). Two of our three winners have been women so this is definitely an equal opportunity pool! Also, we have the EXCLUSIVE newsletter "Pando! or Gordo?" (last time it was called "Clap! or Crap?") by Sam N. which his insight and snark is far greater than mine. BTW, if anyone else wants to contribute something (doesn't have to be that regularly... maybe after every USA match or once a week), let me know! I know you have strong opinions out there! (Ben S., who may be in South Africa doing the World Cup like he was in Germany, did a newsletter on how the World Cup TV broadcast gets sent around the world). You can also debate on our Discussion Board as well. A blog is also being set up.

Here are the basics:

WHAT:        	4th HWCI World Cup Soccer Office Pool
FEE:         	$10.00 per entry
DEADLINE:    	7:00 a.m. PDT on Friday, June 11th (if by mail, then postmarked by Thursday night)
WHO:        	Anyone with ten bucks!  Invite friends!  No more than three entries per person
REFERRAL:	For those who participated in 2006, refer 5 new people to enter and get a free entry with one paid
SOC STAT:	Italy is the defending World Cup champion
PREVIOUS WINNERS: 1998- LE BIX (Fernando B) $115
		2002- PUNA (Tina M) $110
		2006- ELASTIGIRL (Cynthia S) $220

For more info, see the "Rules", "How to Enter", and "FAQ" sections. Then please enter online using our Web Entry page.

   SIDES 'N KICKS: A trio of top 15 teams failed to qualify (#10 Croatia, #11 Russia, and #12 Egypt) as part of 8 in the top 32 who aren't in. Canada? # 63... But we do have both Koreas (who can't meet until the Semif-... oh, what the heck am I thinking), two -Guays (Uru and Para), two -Gerias (Ni and Al), two Slov-'s (Akia and Enia), and two Oceanic teams (one former in Australia and one who never could make it due to Australia dominating the zone, NZL)... FIFA tri-graphs could be confusing such as SVN and SVK or those with dyslexia such as NED and DEN (both in the same group!) and USA and AUS... six teams are making their first appearance in our pool (which started in 1998)... Spain, for the 2nd straight year, is the top seed in Group H...

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Just $2.50 a year for 4 years...
Scott