Kickoff

Anyone taking Costa Rica tomorrow? For the sheer perversity?

Just wondering.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 8th, 2006 at 10:05 pm and is filed under A Fistful Of Euros, Culture, Germany. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1. Tobias Says:
   June 8th, 2006 at 11:06 pm

   My Dad is ;)… The thing is, this time around, Germany don’t need a “Sparwasser-moment”, they don’t need to be hit over the head to get going, they need to start believing that Linker was right, regardless of the factual correctness of his quote, they need more of France’s ‘98 spirit - “La victoire est en nous”. As I think I already said in another thread, my bet is a “classic” semi-final, Germany-England, preferably decided by penalty shoot out (23:21) and Italy vs Brazil. After that, no one knows.

   But whatever the outcome: let the games begin!

2. Nick Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 8:42 am

   I am, but for sheer value rather than perversity, as they’re 16-1 to win on Betfair and I’d say they have more than a 6% chance of victory.

3. claus vistesen Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 8:50 am

   Today’s matches …

   Germany - Costa Rica; 3-1

   Poland - Ecuador; 2-2

   And you better believe it !!

   Oh and Brazil as winners of the trophy … sorry I just do not seem anybody else taking it at the moment.

4. Guy Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 10:23 am

   “my bet is a “classic” semi-final, Germany-England”

   Tobias, according to the match schedule I have in front of me that would be statistically impossible. They can only meet in the final or in the first round right after the group sessions (in which case either Germany or England will have to end second in their respective groups).

   Summary: or they eliminate each other in the 8th finals or they both push through to a clash in the final.

   Same goes for Italy versus Brazil.

   A semi-final Netherlands-Brazil would be totally cool and possible. Well, in theory at least.

   I hope you did not put any money on these fictitious semis Unless, of course, I need glasses.

5. Snowbird Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 11:29 am

   Guy, if it really is Germany against Engliand in the semi-finals, the Germans will win on penalties. I’d put money on it.

6. Guy Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 11:35 am

   Snowbird, Germany and England will never meet each other in the semis. Not even when both of them win all their previous matches.

   As to penalty-taking, yes, I believe Germany to have an advantage there.

7. Guy Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

   This one is for Tobias ;-):

   “Based on statistical analysis, artificial intelligence believes that the host country will lose to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.”

   from: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/06/07/10045272.html

8. Tobias Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 2:44 pm

   Guy,

   just checked, you’re right, and I am wrong. About the semifinals, of course, not the quarterfinals, for usually predicting Germany’s success in world cups has defied any intelligence, artificial or other. But I’d love to a match against the oranjes… maybe with a brief Rijkard and Völler spitting contest. That would be grand Btw, did that orange helmet become a bestseller?

9. Guy Says:
   June 9th, 2006 at 3:20 pm

   “Btw, did that orange helmet become a bestseller?”

   If I am not mistaken, it was banned. Really Anyway, good luck tonight (not that you would need it against CR)

   PS: Please, no spitting contests anymore.