2014 World Cup

[Grey Fox]

Ah, the France bandwagon such comfort. Much more than the English wagon has ever been.

Also, France has kept the pattern of Good, Bad, Good, Bad, Good performance at the WC.

[Zanza]

If Germany wins its group and both win against the second teams of groups F and H, it would be France v Germany in the quarter finals. That will be an interesting game.

[sbr]

How does the bracket for the elimination rounds work, as far as where teams are slotted?  Is it set in advance, or does a team's performance in the pool play matter?

[Syt]

It's pretty fixed. Usually 1st of one group plays 2nd of other group and vice versa.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_cup_2014#Knockout_stage

[Zanza]

Per match scoring rate at recent FIFA World Cuptm Finals.
1978 - 2.68
1982 - 2.81
1986 - 2.54
1990 - 2.21
1994 - 2.71
1998 - 2.67
2002 - 2.52
2006 - 2.3
2010 - 2.27
2014 - 2.96 (so far)

[Tamas]

My wisdom for the day:

Argentina to win both halfs

Germany to win, and to win both halfs

Nigeria to win, because I can't believe the odds are right on giving them little chance.

[FunkMonk]

Calling it now, England will make the quarter finals in four years.

[Liep]

Calling it now, England will make the quarter finals in four years.

Ballsy.

[Norgy]

Calling it now, England will make the quarter finals in four years.

In women's badminton.

[sbr]

It's pretty fixed. Usually 1st of one group plays 2nd of other group and vice versa.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_cup_2014#Knockout_stage

Thanks.  I figured that was the case, almost every tournament has a fixed bracket.  I guess the NFL is the only playoff/tournament with flexible match-ups.

[Duque de Bragança]

Ah, the France bandwagon such comfort. Much more than the English wagon has ever been.

Also, France has kept the pattern of Good, Bad, Good, Bad, Good performance at the WC.

Some French sport journos, the lowest of an admittedly low bunch, are already exciting the mob by telling them "France champion du monde" (sic).

[Zanza]

I think it's fair to consider France a contender after their first two games. The team seems to work and it has the individual quality.

[Josephus]

Heading into today's games:
1   Duque de Bragança   16   16    10    61.54%    *
2   frunk   16   16    10    61.54%    *
3   Maladict   16   16    10    61.54%    *
4   Viking   16   16    10    61.54%    *
5   Josephus   15   15    11    57.69%    *
6   Liep   15   15    11    57.69%    *
7   Norgy   15   15    11    57.69%    *
8   Dorsey4Heisman   14   14    12    53.85%    *
9   Pedrito   13   13    13    50.00%    *
10   funkmonk   12   12    14    46.15%    *
11   Syt   12   12    14    46.15%    *
12   dps   10   10    16    38.46%    *
13   josquius   10   10    16    38.46%    *
14   Tamas   10   10    16    38.46%    *
15   Agelastus   9   9    17    34.62%    *
16   celedhring   0   0    26    0.00%    *

[Zanza]

There seem to be more Argentinian than Iranian fans...

[Liep]

There seem to be more Argentinian than Iranian fans...

If this score lasts, when will they start booing at their team?