Daily News
Maureen Lynham wins the Pool! Congratulations!!
- Day 24: Andres Iniesta was found by Cesc Fabregas in the 116th minute for a bullet that Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg could not contend with. Spain beats Netherlands 1-0 to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Final standings: Maureen, Zarar, Fabio and Anthony. Thanks to everyone for playing, we'll see you again in the summer of 2012 when Europe's top footballing nations contest for Euro 2012 from Poland and Ukraine.
- Day 23: That's the finals in terms of the pool since Spain beat Germany 1-0 to and face the Dutch in Sunday's final. Maureen is backing Spain while Zarar has his hopes set on Netherlands. Fabio is guaranteed a second or third place finish. Zarar can finish no lower than second. Ghanian striker Asamoah Gyan's missed penalty in the 120th minute against Uruguay has breathed excitement into the finish, otherwise Zarar would have this baby all wrapped up.
- Day 22: Dutch delight, as Netherlands brushed aside a spirited Uruguay 3-2 to reach the finals. A European winner is now guaranteed.
- And then there were four: Time for some trivia. Bruce Zhu is the only entrant who still has all four teams alive (unfortunately, his double-points and winner teams have already been elinminated). Look for a winner from the following four Zarar, Anthony, Fabio or Maureen. Anyone else should be vying for spots #2, 3 and 4.
- News from earlier days.
Standings
Check out the knockout stage fixtures. Results are updated immediately after the match has ended. Stay above the red line for a prize.
The little number beside the players' and teams' name are the number of points they have earned for you. Entries with yellow background have been eliminated and can NO longer earn points for you.
Something wrong? Email me.
| Rank | Name | Grp A | Grp B | Grp C | Grp D | Grp E | Grp F | Grp G | Grp H | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Double | Winner | Points |
| 1 |
Maureen Lynham
|
URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GHA 10 | DEN 3 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Llorente 0 | Villa 2.75 | Torres 0 | RSA 12 | ESP 12 | 69.25 |
| 2 | Zarar Siddiqi | MEX 3 | KOR 6 | SVN 4.5 | GHA 10 | DEN 3 | SVK 4.5 | CIV 4.5 | SUI 4.5 | Van Persie 1.5 | Podolski 1.5 | Fabiano 0.75 | GHA 20 | NED 0 | 63.75 |
| 3 | Fabio Gorgatti | MEX 3 | NGA 1.5 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | PAR 6 | BRA 3.5 | ESP 6 | Fabiano 3 | Robinho 1.25 | Kaka 0 | URU 27 | BRA 0 | 63.25 |
| 4 | Anthony Costa | MEX 3 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | AUS 4.5 | DEN 3 | PAR 6 | POR 4 | SUI 4.5 | Rooney 0 | Villa 2.75 | Ronaldo 0.25 | URU 27 | BRA 0 | 61.5 |
| 5 |
Marti Bassani
|
URU 13.5 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | SRB 2 | CMR 0 | PAR 6 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Rooney 0 | Messi 0.25 | Villa 1.25 | ESP 12 | ESP 12 | 60.5 |
| 6 | Colin Hayward | MEX 3 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | SRB 2 | DEN 3 | SVK 4.5 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Messi 0.5 | Fabiano 1.5 | Villa 1.25 | URU 27 | BRA 0 | 56.25 |
| 7 | Haroon Rafique | MEX 3 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | SRB 2 | CMR 0 | PAR 6 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Rooney 0 | Villa 2.75 | Fabiano 0.75 | URU 27 | NED 0 | 55 |
| 8 | Pamela Harris | URU 13.5 | GRE 2 | USA 4 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Messi 0.5 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Rooney 0 | NGA 3 | ESP 12 | 54.75 |
| 9 | Adaora Ogbue | RSA 6 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | GHA 10 | CMR 0 | PAR 6 | CIV 4.5 | SUI 4.5 | Fabiano 3 | Villa 2.75 | Messi 0 | RSA 12 | BRA 0 | 54.25 |
| 10 | Marina Andrea | RSA 6 | NGA 1.5 | SVN 4.5 | SRB 2 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | SUI 4.5 | Ronaldo 1.5 | Messi 0.25 | Podolski 0.5 | BRA 7 | ESP 12 | 51.75 |
| 11 | Derek Lund | URU 13.5 | KOR 6 | SVN 4.5 | SRB 2 | DEN 3 | SVK 4.5 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Van Persie 1.5 | Villa 2.75 | Rooney 0 | DEN 6 | FRA 0 | 51.75 |
| 12 | Bruce Zhu | URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | BRA 3.5 | ESP 6 | Messi 0.5 | Villa 2.75 | Ronaldo 0.25 | ARG 8 | ARG 0 | 51.5 |
| 13 | Tony Kovacic | URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | USA 4 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | SUI 4.5 | Aguero 0.5 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Sabrosa 0.25 | POR 8 | POR 0 | 51.5 |
| 14 | Chris Hayward | URU 13.5 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | AUS 4.5 | CMR 0 | SVK 4.5 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Messi 0.5 | Van Persie 0.75 | Rooney 0 | ESP 12 | NED 0 | 49.25 |
| 15 | Anton Kruger | FRA 0.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Villa 5.5 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Huntelaar 0.25 | SRB 4 | ESP 12 | 49 |
| 16 | Christina Tsang | MEX 3 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | BRA 3.5 | CHI 4 | Fabiano 3 | Messi 0.25 | Villa 1.25 | ESP 12 | BRA 0 | 47 |
| 17 | Amanda Bass | URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | USA 4 | GER 4 | CMR 0 | SVK 4.5 | BRA 3.5 | ESP 6 | Torres 0 | Villa 2.75 | Fabiano 0.75 | ENG 4 | POR 0 | 47 |
| 18 | Nicky Lai | MEX 3 | ARG 4 | USA 4 | SRB 2 | CMR 0 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Messi 0.5 | Villa 2.75 | Ronaldo 0.25 | SVK 9 | ESP 12 | 46.5 |
| 19 | Isabel Lai | RSA 6 | NGA 1.5 | USA 4 | GHA 10 | DEN 3 | SVK 4.5 | CIV 4.5 | CHI 4 | Messi 0.5 | Rooney 0 | Ronaldo 0.25 | POR 8 | ARG 0 | 45.25 |
| 20 | Cris Diaconu | MEX 3 | KOR 6 | USA 4 | SRB 2 | DEN 3 | SVK 4.5 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Rooney 0 | Messi 0.25 | Villa 1.25 | KOR 12 | ARG 0 | 44 |
| 21 | Zoe Wong | MEX 3 | KOR 6 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Rooney 0 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Messi 0 | KOR 12 | ENG 0 | 43.75 |
| 22 | Liz Reynolds | MEX 3 | NGA 1.5 | ENG 2 | GHA 10 | NED 6 | SVK 4.5 | BRA 3.5 | CHI 4 | Fabiano 3 | Villa 2.75 | Xavi 0 | CMR 0 | BRA 0 | 43.25 |
| 23 | Terry Lago | URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | SRB 2 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Messi 0.5 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Rooney 0 | ALG 4 | BRA 0 | 42.75 |
| 24 | Christine Beckermann | URU 13.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | CMR 0 | PAR 6 | BRA 3.5 | ESP 6 | Messi 0.5 | Ronaldo 0.75 | Rooney 0 | ITA 2 | ARG 0 | 42.25 |
| 25 | Mario Bove | MEX 3 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | AUS 4.5 | DEN 3 | PAR 6 | POR 4 | SUI 4.5 | Messi 0.5 | Villa 2.75 | Rooney 0 | DEN 6 | BRA 0 | 41.25 |
| 26 | The "E" | URU 13.5 | NGA 1.5 | SVN 4.5 | SRB 2 | CMR 0 | SVK 4.5 | POR 4 | CHI 4 | Rooney 0 | Kaka 0.75 | Ronaldo 0.25 | GRE 4 | BRA 0 | 39 |
| 27 | Carey Ker | MEX 3 | GRE 2 | USA 4 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Di Natalie 0 | Messi 0.25 | Ronaldo 0.25 | POR 8 | NED 0 | 37.5 |
| 28 | John Bassani | FRA 0.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | POR 4 | ESP 6 | Fabiano 3 | Rooney 0 | Torres 0 | BRA 7 | BRA 0 | 36.5 |
| 29 | Tony Di Felice | FRA 0.5 | ARG 4 | ENG 2 | GER 4 | NED 6 | ITA 1 | BRA 3.5 | ESP 6 | Villa 5.5 | Fabiano 1.5 | Rooney 0 | ITA 2 | BRA 0 | 36 |
| 30 |
Charan Bajaj
|
MEX 3 | ARG 4 | USA 4 | GER 4 | CMR 0 | ITA 1 | CIV 4.5 | ESP 6 | Messi 0.5 | Kaka 0.75 | Villa 1.25 | BRA 7 | ARG 0 | 34 |
Teams
The following table specifies the weight of each team and their current record. This will be updated soon after each game ends so it will not always be in sync.
(The Points column indicates the amount of points you would have received if you had picked them in the group as a single points team).
| Name | Weight | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | Eliminated | Group | FIFA Rank |
| Spain | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | No | H | 2 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13.5 | Yes | A | 18 |
| Ghana | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | Yes | D | 32 |
| Japan | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Yes | E | 45 |
| Korea Republic | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Yes | B | 47 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Yes | E | 4 |
| New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | Yes | F | 78 |
| Paraguay | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | Yes | F | 30 |
| South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | Yes | A | 90 |
| Australia | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4.5 | Yes | D | 20 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4.5 | Yes | G | 27 |
| Slovakia | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4.5 | Yes | F | 38 |
| Slovenia | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4.5 | Yes | C | 23 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4.5 | Yes | H | 26 |
| Argentina | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Yes | B | 7 |
| Chile | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Yes | H | 15 |
| Germany | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Yes | D | 6 |
| Portugal | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Yes | G | 3 |
| United States | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Yes | C | 14 |
| Brazil | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3.5 | Yes | G | 1 |
| Denmark | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Yes | E | 35 |
| Mexico | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Yes | A | 17 |
| Algeria | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Yes | C | 31 |
| England | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Yes | C | 8 |
| Greece | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Yes | B | 12 |
| Honduras | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Yes | H | 40 |
| Serbia | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Yes | D | 16 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | Yes | B | 20 |
| Italy | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Yes | F | 5 |
| France | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | Yes | A | 10 |
| Cameroon | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Yes | E | 19 |
| North Korea | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Yes | G | 106 |
Players
The following table lists the number of goals and assists for each player.
(The Points column indicates the points as first star player.)
| Name | Goals | Assists | Points | Eliminated |
| David Villa | 5 | 1 | 5.5 | No |
| Fernando Llorente | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | No |
| Fernando Torres | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | No |
| Xavi | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | No |
| Luis Fabiano | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | Yes |
| Lukas Podolski | 2 | 2 | 3.0 | Yes |
| Robinho | 2 | 1 | 2.5 | Yes |
| Kaka | 0 | 3 | 1.5 | Yes |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | Yes |
| Robin Van Persie | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | Yes |
| Klaas-Jan Huntelaar | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | Yes |
| Simao Sabrosa | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | Yes |
| Sergio Aguero | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | Yes |
| Lionel Messi | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | Yes |
| Antonio Di Natalie | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | Yes |
| Wayne Rooney | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | Yes |
News Archive
- Day 21: Germany advance by dominating Argentina in Cape Town. That's basically it. Spain relied on their prolific striker David Villa to score one more time (5 for the tournament, so far) and propel them into the semi-final (which will be against Germany on July 7th in Durban). Paraguay is ousted.
- Day 20: Brazil eliminated. Arjen Robben terrorized Michel Bastos and the Brazilian defense as the Oranje came from behind to oust Brazil. Wesley Sneijder's go-ahead second-half goal and a Brazilian red sealed the South Americans' ill fate. Just because Brazil is out doesn't mean the excitement is over - since Uruguay eliminated Ghana in penalties, the pool is now wide open. Netherlands will face Uruguay in the first semi-final and the South American side will be without the services of influential striker, and villian turned hero, Luis Suarez (who got red-carded for a game-saving, goal-line handball).
- Day 19: After a boring 120 minutes it came down to penalties as Paraguay eliminated Japan. Hitman David Villa struck on the hour for Spain and it was enough to end Portugal's campaign. Christiano Ronaldo goes home with a lone goal. The World Cup now takes a two day break with the quarterfinals beginning on July 2nd: NED vs. BRA, URU vs. GHA, ARG vs. GER, and PAR vs. ESP. The game to keep your eye on is URU vs. GHA, as a victory by GHA could easily see Zarar win the pool, so unless your name is Zarar, you should be cheering for Uruguay.
- Day 18: A commanding 2-1 win for Netherlands over Slovakia means the Dutch advance to the quarter finals where they will face Brazil who brushed aside Chile with a merciless 3-0 drubbing.
- Day 17: The German midfield proved too classy for the English. The latter will rue a disallowed goal but the German 4-1 win was convincing enough for it to not matter. Wayne Rooney was picked by 15 contestants but exited the World Cup with zero goals and zero assists. Argentina saw off Mexico's challenge with the help of a Carlos Tevez brace, Messi was held scoreless yet again. Argentina face Germany in Cape Town on July 3rd.
- Day 16: Uruguay advance to quarter finals with a 2-1 win over South Korea. Ghana advance to quarter finals with a 2-1 (extra time) win over USA (providing a healthy boost to Zarar's lead). Uruguay v. Ghana in the quarter finals.
- 1st round (group matches) are finished: 16 teams have been eliminated. If anyone had picked Japan as their first or second choice team, they would be sitting pretty right now. Uruguay, Ghana, South Korea, South Africa and New Zealand were the next most successful point producers in the first round. 6 European teams (all-time low) made it to the round of 16 and only 3 of them will advance to the quarterfinals, as all 6 teams are paired against each other.
- Day 15 (last day of group matches of 1st round): Ivory Coast beat North Korea 3-0 and Brazil drew 0-0 with Portugal. Brazil and Portugal advance and Ivory Coast and North Korea are eliminated. A 0-0 draw for Honduras and Switzerland and a 2-1 victory for Spain against Chile means that Honduras and Switzerland are eliminated and Spain and Chile advance. Round of 16 matchups are Brazil v. Chile and Portugal v. Spain.
- Day 14: Paraguay and Slovakia advance after Paraguy drew 0-0 with New Zealand and Slovakia beat Italy 3-2 in a barn burner. Italy and New Zealand are eliminated. Netherlands beat Cameroon 2-1 and Japan beat Denmark 3-1. Netherlands and Japan advance and Denmark and Cameroon are eliminated. Round of 16 matchups are Netherlands v. Slovakia and Paraguay v. Japan. Zarar back in the lead.
- Day 13: England and USA advance after 1-0 wins against their opponents (Rooney still scoreless) and Slovenia and Algeria eliminated. A big win for Australia 2-1 against Serbia, but to no avail, as both Australia and Serbia have been eliminated. Anthony Costa is our new leader, displacing long-time leader, Zarar, for the time being (level on points, but Anthony has the tie-breaker). Germany beat Ghana 1-0 as both Germany and Ghana advance to the next round. Round of 16 matchups are USA v. Ghana and Germany v. England.
- Day 12: Starting today, get ready for eliminations and watch the standings table become yellow. South Africa beat 10-man France 2-1 for their first win but to no avail, as both teams were eliminated. The other two teams in the group, Uruguay and Mexico both advance with a 1-0 win for Uruguay. Nigeria and Greece eliminated while South Korea and Argentina advance. In the round of 16, it will be Argentina v. Mexico and Uruguay v. South Korea.
- Day 11: Last day of 2nd round of group matches. Starting tomorrow, the final round of group matches will start simultaneously, 2 matches at a time, 2 groups in a day. Get your PVR ready! The Group of Death finally took its toll as North Korea was ousted from the tournament after a 7-0 thumping by Portugal. Chile broke the deadlock against a defensively minded, 10-man, Swiss team 1-0. A David Villa brace saw Spain beat Honduras comprehensively 2-0.
- Day 10: Paraguy overpowered Slovakia 2-0. Another draw for Italy (this time against New Zealand 1-1). Joga Bonita for most of the time, ugliness at the end, a brace from Fabiano, couple of assists and a red card for Kaka. End result, a 3-1 trouncing for Ivory Coast at the hands of Brazil (ensuring qualification into round of 16 for Brazil).
- Day 9: Lots of possession and a 1-0 win for the Dutch against Japan to ensure qualification for the next round. 10-man Australia battled for a courageous 1-1 draw against Ghana (more points for leader Zarar). Denmark kept their hopes of round of 16 qualification alive by beating Cameroon 2-1. Cameroon is the first team to be ousted from the tournament. They can still earn some points for you in their last game, however.
- Day 8: Serbia shocked 10-man Germany with a 1-0 win (Podolski missed a penalty in the 2nd half), earning Colin a spot in the top three. A remarkable, comeback 2-2 draw for the USA against Slovenia. Blimey! A 0-0 draw for England against Algeria.
- Day 7: Argentina demolished South Korea 4-1 to all but book a place in the last 16. 10-man Nigeria took the lead but were edged out by Greece 2-1. The "E" jumps into the top-ten courtesy of the Greek win. Mexico put France on the brink of elimination by knocking off the 2006 runner-ups with a score of 2-0.
- Day 6: Chile beat Honduras 1-0 for its first World Cup victory in 48 years. Switzerland's massive upset of Spain rewards 6 people including the leader, Zarar, and fourth place holder, Adaora. Uruguay benefitted from a Diego Forlan brace to trounce the hosts 3-0, who are on the brink of the competition with only 1 point from 2 games.
- Day 5: New Zealand escaped with a last gasp 1-1 draw against Slovakia. Next up, welcome to the group of death (or let's beat up on North Korea group). Ronaldo has not scored for Portugal since February 2009 and that statistic did not change as Ivory Coast and Portugal featured in a goal-less draw. North Korea held on for 55 minutes until Brazil got the job done by a score of 2-1.
- Day 4: Oranje get lucky with a 2-0 win over the Danes. No pool entry gets any points, as Japan squeazed by Cameroon 1-0. Italy and Paraguy ended up with an engaging 1-1 draw.
- Assists: Assists are now being tracked (thanks to Colin for pointing out the link).
- Day 3: Slovenia beat Algeria and Ghana beat 10-man Serbia by 1-0, netting Zarar 15 points for the day and the lead. A rampaging Germany ran riot against 10-man Australia in Durban, with a thumping 4-0 win. Finally, some goals in a (so far) goal-starved tournament. A star player (Podolski) has a goal and an assist.
- Day 2: South Korea outplayed Greece for vast stretches of time and won comfortably by 2-0. Argentina relied on a single goal from Gabriel Heinze, a defender, to beat Nigeria. USA surprised England by holding them to 1-1 draw (helped by a howler from the English keeper). Messi (star player for 17 out of 30 entries) and Rooney (star player for 15 out of 30 entries) were held scoreless for now. Early lead for Cris and Zoe on account of them picking South Korea as their double points team.
- Day 1: South Africa had taken a shock second half lead but couldn't hang on, as defender Rafael Marquez equalized in the 79th minute. In the second game, a resilient Uruguay squad held France to a scoreless draw despite being down to 10 men for the final nine minutes of the match. Adaora's pick of South Africa as a double-point team sees her in the early lead.
- June 1st was the deadline for submitting 23-man final squads to FIFA. Peruse the ESPN Soccernet World cup 2010 site to see the squads for every team.
- Who will lead the World Cup in scoring?
- Group A analysis and SPI ranking
- Group B analysis and SPI ranking
- Group C analysis and SPI ranking
- Group D analysis and SPI ranking
- Group E analysis and SPI ranking
- Group F analysis and SPI ranking
- Group G analysis and SPI ranking
- Group H analysis and SPI ranking
- Day One of the FIFA 2010 World Cup is on June 11th, 2010. Until then, gloss over the happenings of the Euro 2008 pool which Derek Lund won.
Rules
To break ties (total points being equal) the following order is used:
- Correctly guessing World Cup Winner
- Double Points Team with more points
- Star Performers with more points
- Coin toss
If one of your 3 selected players is injured and gets officially replaced before the start of the tournament, you may ask to have the selection replaced with a replacement player.
The prize breakdown is as follows for the top 4 people (subject to change based on number of entries):
- 50%
- 25%
- 15%
- 10%
The selection rules are described in the entry form. Email me for questions.