It's A Knock Out

We're into the second day of the Knock Out Stages, with four matches played.

BRAZIL had to take the game to penalties against Chile, but eventually made it through to the Quarter-Finals, to face Colombia, who beat Uruguay 2-0.

Holland had to come from 1-0 down to beat Mexico 2-1, whilst Costa Rica kept their dreams alive by defeating Greece on penalties.

Of course, getting the right predictions is even more important now, as the points are increased to 25 points for the correct team OR the correct score. For both correct, it's a massive 50 points.

From these 4 knock out games, BRANDON WOLFE, KEV BARRATT, KYLE BRIGGS, VICKY ROWBOTHAM and DENISE HANCOCK, have all managed to gain one maximum 50 pointer each so far.

Group Stages Close

The Group Stages were completed yesterday with Germany and the USA qualifying from Group G, and Belgium and Algeria both qualifying from Group H.
USA pipped Portugal on goal difference, whilst Algeria qualified to the Knock Out stages for the first time in their World Cup history.
TRACI WOLFE scored three lots of maximum 10 points out of the four matches, with BRANDON WOLFE and KEV BARRATT also getting a maximum each.
to see if YOU scored any points and how it affects your league places, just click on the 'Points and tables' tab above.

Groups E & F

Groups E & F completed their games yesterday with France and Switzerland qualifying for the Knock Out stages. Switzerland won with a convincing 3-0 win over Honduras, whilst France and Ecuador slogged out a 0-0 draw.
From these games, PAUL LANE, TRACI WOLFE, KEV BARRATT and VICKY ROWBOTHAM all came away with one maximum 10 pointer each.
To see if you scored any points yesterday, just click on the 'Members Log' tab and the 'Points & Tables' tab above.

Suarez Bites Back

Unfortunatly, yesterdays football gossip was all about Luis Suarez. Not for his footballing prowess, but instead for hid dark side which seems to come to the fore all too many times. In the match against Italy, which Uruguay won 1-0 to send Italy home, Suarez is alleged to have bitten Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder. If this is found to be true by a FIFA enquiry, he will no doubt serve a very long ban which will see him sent home from the World Cup.
Meanwhile elsewhere, England confirmed their status as the worst team in Group D after finishing bottom with just one point, afetr a 0-0 draw with group winners Costa Rica. A major re-think is needed by the FA as to the future of England.
Colombia made it 3 wins from 3 with a 4-1 win over Japan. Greece qualified in 2nd place after beating Ivory Coast 2-1.
Yesterday, VICKY ROWBOTHAM and KYLE BRIGGS both came away with a maximum from those results. To see where all the big points are now playing a part in your league standings, just click the Members Log and 'Points & Tables' tabs above.

Home Nation Finishes Top

Well, they certainly didn't take the easy route, looking lack-lustre for the first two games, but pulling off the results was the main objective and Brazil now find themselves in the Knock Out stages, after finishing top of Group A after an emphatic 4-1 win over Cameroon
Mexico join them in the knockout's after a 3-1 win over Croatia.
Group B was won by Holland, with Chile also qualifying. It's home time for the current World Champions Spain, who finally got a win, beating Australia 3-0.
Check out the 'Members Log' Page to see how you are doing and to see the points totals and league standings go to the 'Points and tables' tab.

All Teams Have Played Two.

Well, a lot has happened since my last post on here, which was when we issued Table 1.
Already going home are:
Cameroon, Australia, Spain, England, Honduras, Iran, and Bosnia-Herz.
Yes you did read right. The World and European Champions are out after just TWO games. It seems it may be the end of an era for Spain. England didn't fair any better either and with a very poor performance, they know they are on their way home after their last match, which is against Costa Rica.
Now that all the teams have played two games, you can view the second league table by clicking on the 'Points & Tables' tab above.

Table 1

You can view the latest league standings and all the other points information by click the tab above.

Oh Dear Oh Dear

England were left clinging on to a thread of hope last night after losing 2-1 to Uruguay.
If Italy beat Costa Rica tonight, England will have to beat Costa Rica substantially to go through.

Groups F & G

The remaining Group F game between Iran and Nigeria turned out to be the worst match of the tournament so far. A 0-0 draw was only part of the story, Both sides struggled to put any sort of half decent passing together, and shots on target were very rare.On this showing, both these teams will struggle to make it through to the knockout stages.
Only one person, KEV BARRATT came away with any points, with 5 for predicting a draw.

Better games were to come in Group G however. Germany ripped Portugal apart, winning 4-0, leaving Portugal with a lot to do in what is regarded as 'the group of death'. Surprisingly, only 3 players got points from this result, those being BRANDON WOLFE, VICKY ROWBOTHAM and DENISE HANCOCK, who all received 5.

For me, one of the most entertaining games of the tournament this far, came from the match between Ghana and the USA. The Americans have come along way over the years, and their determination and discipline brought them a vital 2-1 win. MARTIN WOLFE and KEV BARRATT came away from this game with maximum 10 points, whilst everyone else, apart from JOEL KERRIGAN, DENISE HANCOCK and JASON STROUTHER came away with 5.

URGENT CHANGE !

Hi. Before we go much further, I've made an unprecedented change to the points system to give everyone a fairer chance. I've realized that giving 15 points for guessing both the Correct Team and the Correct Score is a little excessive. Therefore, I've reduced that down to 10 points, which was my intention in the first place before my miscalculation.
I trust you will be okay with this decision and that it does not detract from your enjoyment. After all, I'm one of those who it affects the most. Apologies for changing things at this late stage.
Please see the 'Points & Tables' page to see how this has affected the points totals so far.
Be aware the Bonus points for the knock out stage has also been reduced to 40 from 50 points.
Everything else remains the same.

Groups D,E & F

A very early morning start for UK viewers who watched the Group D game between Ivory Coast and Japan, brought a 2-1 win for Ivory. Once again VICKY ROWBOTHAM scored a maximum 10 points, making that her FOURTH maximum so far.
MARTIN WOLFE, TRACI WOLFE, JOEL KERRIGAN, KYLE BRIGGS, WAYNE STOCKS and JASON STROUTHER all picked up 5 pts.
In Group E, Switzerland came away 2-1 winners over Ecuador and that brought a maximum 10 points for MARTIN WOLFE, making that 3 maximums for him so far. BRANDON WOLFE, KEV BARRATT, PAUL LANE all took 5 points.
The other match in Group E was between France and Honduras, with France winning 3-0.
DENISE HANCOCK got her third maximum 10 points from this game, and apart from MARTIN WOLFE and JOEL KERRIGAN, everyone else received 5 points.
The final match of the day was between many peoples favourites for the World Cup, Argentina, and Bosnia-Herz. That game ended in a 2-1 win for Argentina.
Maximum 10 points went to DAVID SHEPHERD and WAYNE STOCKS, whilst everyone else won 5 points.
To see the points totals so far, click on the 'Points & Tables' tab above.

Saturday...

Colombia were the first to start the celebrations in Group C today, with an emphatic 3-0 win over Greece. No-one guessed that result, but 5 points for the Correct Team went to MARTIN WOLFE, JOEL KERRIGAN, KYLE BRIGGS, DENISE HANCOCK and WAYNE STOCKS.

The second match of the day saw Costa Rica pull off a 'shock' 3-1 win over Uruguay.
VICKY ROWBOTHAM was the only player to come away with any points, and came away with the full 10, with getting the team and score correct. That's the 3rd maximum points Vicky has won already in the competition.
England fell to a 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening game, leaving hard work ahead against Uruguay and Costa Rica. That result however, had a good side for MARTIN WOLFE and DENISE HANCOCK, who both got the full 10 points. TRACI WOLFE, BRANDON WOLFE, PAUL LANE and DAVID SHEPHERD all gained a further 5 points for the predicting correct team.
To see the points earned so far by all the competition players, click on the 'Points & Tables' tab.

A Summer Of Football

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil has kicked off, and the first 3 days have been very enjoyable to say the least. The hosts Brazil got off to a good start and although not playing their usual free flowing football as well as they usually do, it's the result that matters. With the help of a few bad refereeing decisions and a very poor display from the Croatian goalkeeper, Brazil won 3-1 and that gave Martin Wolfe, Brandon Wolfe and Vicky Rowbotham a maximum points start.
For a full list of match results go to the 'Results' tab. To see how you and you're fellow competitors are doing with your predictions, go to the 'Members Log' tab. Those pages are updated every day.

You're All Logged In

All the predictions that you and your fellow competitors have chosen, have now been logged. You can see the predictions on the Members Log page, by clicking on the tab above.

Poor Turnout But Increased Chance

Unfortunately, we haven't had a lot of interest for the World Cup Extra competition, with only 9 players confirmed from 23 forms given out. But nevertheless, as always, the competition still runs.
Although the prize money for the winner won't be as much as we had hoped for, the chance of winning that cash prize is obviously greater. Plus the Free Entry into next seasons Predictasoccer League competition for the Runner Up will be more achievable.
So, with 9 players confirmed, the winner will receive £45.

The Door Is Now Closed

Well, that's it folks. The closing date for entry to the WCE has passed and we are now just waiting until next Thursday, when the 2014 World Cup kicks off.

Meanwhile, 'll be logging your predictions down so that every player can see what they and their opponents have predicted throughout the tournament.

Thanks for joining us and good luck !