2010 HWCI World Cup Pool Update

CERRITOS, CA (smt) - One thing about not writing regular newsletters is that you have no rhythm and mistyping is pretty easy. Heck, even when I'm in a rhythm, mistyping is easy. But, in this case, I inadvertently reversed the order of the tiebreakers for the Bonus1. So it's corrected now. Now, on to our regularly scheduled program which is not sponsored by LeBron James.

The Dutch (6-0-0) and Uruguay (3-1-2) traded superb blasts from way outside the box before Wesley Sneijder's shot slightly deflected off a Uruguay defender (hmm... Sneijder's goal against Brazil also slightly defected off a defender) and past an onside teammate into the goal. Arjen Robben's solid header put Holland seemingly in control, up 3-1 with 17 minutes left. But Uruguay scored in the 90'+2 and although three minutes were announced, the ref (with the goal and NED delays) allowed two extra minutes to make Dutch fans nervous as Uruguay attacked, attacked, and attacked. So NED makes the final for the third time and hope third time is a charm to claim their first title. NED have won every WC qualifier and WC match thus far and are riding a 25-match unbeaten streak.

Meanwhile, Spain (5-1-0) dominated play against a seemingly flat German (4-2-0) but couldn't break through until Carles Puyol's leaping header off a corner in the 73'. It was Spain's third-straight 1-0 win (and record 29th match decided by one goal in this WC) and 5th straight win after being upset by the Swiss in the first group stage match. Before that, they had a 35 and 10 match unbeaten streak. Spain makes their first WC final.

While we will have a first-time WC champion, we will also have a first-time WC pool champion. Either Joseph D (Forza Pazza (118 pts), who has led after every round, or Luis B (LB, 2nd, 113) will win the first place prize of $310. Forza Pazza is the only person guaranteed money (he'll finish 2nd ($160) if NED wins) as eight are vying for four spots. If Spain wins, Albert H (Corner Kick Kid (4th, 109)) will take 2nd, Joseph T (Dime 23 (5th, 108)) will take 3rd ($100), and Fernando B (Soccerbix) and Damian C (Former MLS Writer) (both 6th-Tied, 107) will need a tiebreaker to decide 4th ($60). If NED wins, Michael G (FC Spermacidals) will roar from 10th-T (103) to take 3rd and Tim H (EEChick1400 (3rd, 110)) will barely hold on to 4th over those who picked NED as their champ, like my Zulupalooza who would finish a single point off the money spot.

In the race for the $40 Bonus, there are five who could win it if NED wins (by picking Group E with 4 wins) and five who could win it if ESP wins (by picking Group H with 4 wins). Some will be rooting for a low-scoring 3rd place match while others will be looking for a shootout to get a good start in the total goals (3rd place & Final) tiebreaker.

SIDES & KICKS: Six picked both finalists with 12 picking NED and 34 picking ESP. Twenty-seven picked neither team... Others who picked NED are Charles D's Sisyphus13 would finish two points off and Sam N's I Hate Vodka Alot would finish three points off. The last NED seer, Warner L's Da Fermo would only crack 90 pts... Fernando B is the only one who could win money of the nine who entered more than once... 20 have picked ESP as their champ... Doughboy (50th-T, 83), Wonderwoman (60th-T, 75), Eek (64th-T, 71), Reckin Crew (64th-T), and O Fabuloso (66th, 69) all finished 0-for-the-Final-Four; even Coin Tossed (last, 45) managed one Final Four team... make sure you cancel your Verizon VCast service if you signed up for their 30-day trial; I had to do it by calling *611 as I couldn't find a way to cancel online...

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So I could finish 5th (Zulupalooza) if NED wins or 7th (Futbol Fabone) if ESP wins...sigh...
Scott