Worldcup 2006 Pool - General Teams / Games / Highlights

Congratulations Italy and Darryl Ruggles on Winning the Pool

barthos — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:53:56 -0400

Well,

A World cup of upsets. It has been an exciting world cup and I hope the pool has added to the excitement. Just like games themselves the pool leaders changed significantly through the rounds, It was interesting to watch and to listen to peoples comments about the games and how their picks were doing. My wife is glad its over for another 4 years (I have not told her about Euro 2008 yet :-) )

Our official winner and $108 richer is Darryl Ruggles, but only a single point separated him from Kapil. Darryl was also the only one who picked Italy (there are usually more Azurri fans in the pool - what happened?). I had one coding error that caused the potential points for the 2nd place not to be counted after the semi-finals, so the final positions are different than potential indicated for those of you who chose France in 2nd place.

Italy vs. France

barthos — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:38:54 -0400

Well again I predicted the wrong outcome. The first minutes if each period were exciting, but it was not the most exciting game I've seen. Both goals were very nice, but especially the header by Materazzi. Zidane did a good job of sending the keeper the wrong way but almost missed the net. What was with the headbutt? I didn't see anything to warrant it. I'm glad they still gave Zidane the golden Ball. He was definitely the most influential player of the world cup.

The penalty shootout should be used as training video for some of the other teams (England). Well taken these shots are almost impossible to stop by the goaltender and these were two of the best.

Brazil-France & Portugal-England results entered

admin — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 07:46:47 -0400

Sorry the results are a day late. I had guests for Canada day. luckily I got to watch at least most of both games.

France has been improving with each game. The only goal on the Zidane free kick dropped beautifuly on Henrys foot. A classic set piece. But the rest of the game was also dominated by France with beautiful tackling that shut down any Brazil attacks. Barthez had very little work to do. Abidal in the back, Vieira, Ribery, and zidane in midfield, and Henry forward were all incredible. Most of the opportunities came from the French with Zidane running the show.

Where France improved, Brazil slowly got worses. Ronaldinho continued to be inneffective despite all the hype before the tourney. Ronaldo had some runs into the box but was shut down each time with very clean tackles. The Brazilian goaly did well, but the set piece goal was almost impossible to stop.

Germany vs. Argentina - Wonderful game, too bad it ended with a shootout

barthos — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:34:20 -0400

I really enjoyed this game, The first half was probably less interesting with most of the playing happening in the midfield, but the second period.....

I am glad Argentina scored first because it really opened up the game. Boths sides played great attacking soccer. If Germany had scored first, they would have shutdown into a defensive wall, which Argentina is just not capable of. Wonderful chances on both sides. Klinsman has to talk to his defense though, very poor passing at the back giving many of the Argentinian opportunities.

All in all an exciting game.

This also marks the point that our pool has it's first 2 eliminations (where the potential points of the player is exceeded by the actual points of another player).

Spain vs. France and on to Quarter Finals

barthos — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:17:57 -0400

Well I only caught the second half but I must say that France deserved the win (although the 2nd goal was after a questionable foul). Spain just left too much open in the back end and France was very effective at shutting down the attacking Spanish. Not what I would have predicted from seeing the games in the first round. Since I was backing Spain after my beloved Dutch got knocked out I will not select another favorite (it seems to bring bad luck).

Well we are through to the Quarter=Finals with a single person in the lead in the pool for the first time since it all began, but things can change quickly. With the next round we will start to see some pool eliminations with actual points surpassing potential points for some players.

Ghana vs Brazil - a class act

barthos — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:03:09 -0400

What a wonderful game. The score did not reflect the quality of the game. It was probably one of the most fun games to watch so far. The polar opposite of the Dutch-Portugal game. This is how the game should be played. Wonderful chances by both sides. Against a different team Ghana would have won. In fact with a little different luck they could have this game. It's too bad that the quadrants worked out the way they did.

Spain-France is this afternoon, and although I won't be watch live, it should be Spains game. Somebody said to me not to count France out - but what I have seen so far foretells elimination for les bleu.

Netherlands vs. Portugal

barthos — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 17:11:18 -0400

What a sad end for the Oranje. Not a pretty game with 12 cards and 4 send-offs. I thought the dutch dominated the second half but could just not finish. The fouls and cards were just incredible. I have never seen anything like it.

I feel sorry for Portugal facing England with a severly reduced team. I still think they can defeat England but it has suddenly become much tougher.

So you might wonder who I will back now that my beloved Oranje is gone. My sentimental support is for Ghana, but don't think they will beat Brazil - so I my support goes to Spain to make it through to defeat Germany in the finals.

England vs. Ecuador

barthos — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 13:06:05 -0400

Well, not a particularly inspired effort by England although they definitely deserved to beat Ecuador. I don't think they will make it past the next round. Either Netherlands or Portugal shoudl be able to take them on (it will be Netherlands of course). Looking forward to this afternoons matchup.

Bart

Argentina vs. Mexico

barthos — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:38:58 -0400

Not a particularly inspired game. Some beautiful footwork especially the winning Argentinian goal (definitely a worldcup highlight reel goal). Unoftuntately I don't see Argentina making it past Germany.

Bart

Who are your surprises for the tournament?

barthos — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 13:18:55 -0400

The Ghana Czech game was one of the best ones I saw. Ghana is definitely my surprise and they definitely deserve to be in the elimination round. The other team that really look like they will go far is Spain. It's unfortunate that they are both in the Brazil side of the knockout round (Ghana to quarters, and Spain to Semi's).

Italy really lucked out with their elimination line up to the semi's.

What do you think?