25 June

Yesterday

This is ridiculous. Out of 4 games played yesterday I only got 1 outcome right. My consolation is that I predicted the correct score for that correct outcome (Netherlands v Cameroon 2:1). But getting 3 out of 4 outcomes (75%) wrong in a single match-day is unprecedented in the short history of the 2010 World Cup.

I, like Italy, suffered a crushing blow to my ego and confidence. I will have to pick myself up from this defeat and look towards the coming fixtures. Considering the length of this tournament and the number of fixtures remaining, it is crucial that I regain my form and go back to my winning ways.

Paraguay win 1.40; Lost $5.00
Holland win 1.75 x $5.00 = $8.75
Denmark / draw 1.32; Lost $5.00
Bendtner to score 2.65; Lost $5.00

Total Returns: - $6.25
Previous Returns + June 24 Returns = $184.30 - $6.25 = $178.05

Comments

Isn't Japan a shit team in the friendlies in the lead up to the world cup? They had like 1,000 defeats or something and scored like 50 own goals. And everywhere on the internet, they're refered to as the 'toothless samurais' - unable to score goals?

And didn't Slovakia play like shit against Paraguay?

And didn't Denmark do decently well against Netherlands on the first day?

And Italy... since when do they score more than 1 goal a game?

The world turned upside down on 24 June. One of the darkest days of the (my) world cup.

I thought the group F would be fairly straight-forward, but in the end it was full of drama. In fact, was there any group so far in Round 3 that didn't have its dramas? Again, I have made the right prediction that a boring round 1 would not necessarily be a bad thing, because everyone would be fighting for qualification in round 3... there were so many exciting games during this round...

A: South Africa could have almost qualified, Mexico vs Uruguay (bookie odds were 1.80 for draw) didn't play for a draw and both sides attacked from start to finish...

B: Nigeria so nearly qualified - they would have if they took their chances

C: USA scored on the 90+ minute to send them top of the group.

D: Australia v Serbia what a game. It almost looked as if the impossible could happen until Serbia scored against them.

E: well... no real drama here... but Japan v Denmark was a good game. And who would've expected a thrashing of Denmark?

F: What looked like a fairly straightforward group, even after round 2 (Expected: Paraguay 1st place , Italy 2nd place) - ended in a crazy game between Slovakia v Italy. Italy nearly, so nearly looked like they were able to come back from the the 2 goal deficit.

G: And shockingly, the Group of Death at the start of the tournament, ends up being the most BORING and STRAIGHTFORWARD round 3 match.... Brazil and Portugal are practically guaranteed qualification. And it basically comes down to who tops the group. But does it matter if they top the group or not? Does anyone know for sure which one of Spain/Chile/Switzerland will qualify from Group H? But we can only pray for some drama, like Brazil humbling 'CR9 fuck you I'm so pretty' giving them a 4-0 thrashing, and Ivory Coast maybe scoring 5 or 6 against North Korea to qualify? Or 'CR9 I'm so gay' getting a red card. Group G, don't let us down.

H: Are Switzerland able to beat Honduras? If they score 2 against Honduras and Chile loses to Spain, Chile are out... if Chile draws with Spain, Switzerland draws with Honduras - Chile 1st place, Spain 2nd... , if Chile loses to Spain and Switzerland loses / draw to Honduras... Spain 1st place, Chile 2nd... so many possibilities. Chile's failure to score more than 1 goal for their earlier 2 games might cost them... Chile v Spain the absolute highlight of Round 3

June 25 Predictions

North Korea v Ivory Coast 1:3
Portugal v Brazil 0:2
Chile v Spain 1:3
Switzerland v Honduras 2:1

June 25 Bets

Spain win 1.45 ; Bet $5.00
Ivory Coast win 1.40; Bet $5.00
Brazil win 2.25; Bet $5.00
Switzerland win 1.45; Bet $5.00