Our Own World Cup

Yesterday (June 20) my friend Mike Swinhart and I played our own World Cup on FIFA 2004. We refused to end games in a tie so it was 3 points for a win, 2 points for a shootout win, and 1 point for a shootout/overtime loss. We played 2 minute halves and attempted to play with all the teams available in this year's actual world cup, however many teams were missing.

Mike knocked out my two underdog teams Switzerland and Australia (Fear the Roo) in the quarterfinals. I then got revenge in the Semifinals using Brazil to beat USA and using Uruguay to upset his heavily-favored and beloved Italy, both in shootouts after 0-0 ties. I then defeated Italy with the USA to win third place. Thinking it would be a breeze with the heavily favored Brazil...Mike got the last laugh beating them with Uruguay in a shootout 4-1, after another 0-0 regulation tie. Sounds like Akron... But wow, Uruguay wins it all...they are like a 3 star team on the game.



We then played a grudge match to see who would win between what we feel should of been the actual world cup final: Italy vs. Brazil. Which also happen to be the last two world cup winners. I defeated Italy with Brazil 1-0 in double overtime.

6 Hours after we began we finished. The results are below...some groups only had two teams on the game and thus automatically advanced. Some groups had 3...so it was easier to advance two. Finally, one group had 4 teams and we actually got to play that like the real World Cup first round. What a great way to spend my Saturday! It was awesome!

Here are the results:

(J) = Jared
(M) = Mike

Group A:
Scores
Mexico (J) 2, Uruguay (M) 0
France (J) 1, Mexico (M) 0, OT
Uruguay (J) 2, France (M) 1

Standings W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
1. Mexico 1-1-0 1 0 4 2
2. Uruguay 1-1-0 0 0 3 2
3. France 1-1-0 0 0 3 2

Group B:
South Korea (M) 0, Greece (J) 0, F/SO
Nigeria (J) 0, Argentina (M) 0, F/SO 4-3
Argentina (J) 0, Greece (M) 0, F/SO 3-1
South Korea (J) 2, Nigeria (M) 0
Argentina (J) 4, South Korea (M) 0
Greece (J) 0, Nigeria (M) 0, F/ SO 4-3

Standings W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Argentina 1-0-2 1 1 6 4
South Korea 1-1-1 0 1 5 2
Greece 0-0-3 2 1 4 0
Nigeria 0-1-2 1 1 3 0

Group C:
USA (J) 3, England (M) 0
USA (M) 0, Slovenia (J) 0, F/SO 3-2
England (J) 1, Slovenia (M) 0


Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
1. USA 1-0-1 0 1 5 3
2. England 1-1-0 0 0 3 1
3. Slovenia 0-1-1 1 0 1 0

Group D:
Australia (J) 3, Germany (M) 0

Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
1. Australia 1-0-0 0 0 3 3
2. Germany 0-1-0 0 0 0 0

Group E:
Denmark (J) 2, Cameroon (M)

Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
Denmark 1-0-0 0 0 3 2
Cameroon 0-1-0 0 0 0 0

Group F:
Scores:
Italy (M) 1, Paraguay (J) 0

Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
Italy 1-0-0 0 0 3 1
Paraguay 0-1-0 0 0 0 0

Group G:
Scores:
Brazil (J) 2, Portugal (M) 0

Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
Brazil 1-0-0 0 0 3 2
Portugal 0-1-0 0 0 0 0

Group H:
Scores:
Switzerland (J) 3, Spain (M) 0

Standings W-L-T OTL SOW Pts Goals
Switzerland 1-0-0 0 0 3 3
Spain 0-1-0 0 0 0 0

Second Round
49. Mexico (M) 2, S. Korea (J) 1, F/SO 3-2
50. USA (J) 2, Germany (M) 1, F/SO 3-2
51. Australia (J) 1, England (M) 0
52. Uruguay (J) 1, Argentina (M) 0
53. Paraguay (J) 2, Denmark (M) 0
54. Brazil (J) 1, Spain (M) 0
55. Italy (M) 1, Cameroon (J) 0, F/SO 6-5
56. Switzerland (J) 1, Portugal (M) 0

Quarterfinals
57. Brazil (J) 2, Paraguay (M) 0
58. USA (J) 2, Mexico (M) 1, F/OT
59. Uruguay (M) 1, Australia (J) 0, F/SO
60. Italy (M) 1, Switzerland (J) 0

Semifinals
61. Brazil (J) 1, USA (M) 0, F/SO 4-3
62. Uruguay (J) 1, Italy (M) 0, F/SO 5-3

Third Place
USA (J) 1, Italy (M) 0

World Cup Final
Uruguay (M) 1, Brazil (J) 0, F/SO 4-1



GRUDGE MATCH:
Brazil (J) 1, Italy (M) 0, F/2OT

STANDINGS:
Pre-Tournament
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 11-1-5 14-3 2 3 41 25
Mike 1-11-5 3-14 4 2 11 2

Entire Tourney w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 8-1-7 11-5 4 3 34 14
Mike 1-8-7 5-11 4 4 15 5

Entire Day w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 20-2-12 26-8 6 6 78 40
Mike 2-20-12 8-26 9 6 27 7

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By ROUND:
Second Round w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 5-0-3 6-2 2 1 19 9
Mike 0-5-3 2-6 1 2 5 3

Quarterfinals w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 2-1-1 2-2 1 0 7 4
Mike 1-2-1 2-2 1 1 6 2

Semifinals w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 0-0-2 2-0 0 2 4 0
Mike 0-0-2 0-2 2 0 2 0

Final w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Mike 0-0-1 1-0 0 1 2 0
Jared 0-0-1 0-1 1 0 1 0

Third Place w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 1-0-0 1-0 0 0 3 1
Mike 0-1-0 0-1 0 0 0 0

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Grudge Match w/ & w/out ties
Standings W-L-T W-L OTL SOW Pts Goals
Jared 1-0-0 1-0 0 0 3 1
Mike 0-1-0 0-1 1 0 1 0

RECAP, CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICATIONS, AND SUPER BOWL SCENARIOS

Well as it turns out, I should have stuck with my post-week 17 playoff predictions. I would have gotten all these games right, save the Chargers game. Instead my previous post makes me sound like a buffoon picking the Cardinals and Vikings. I was still correct about the Colts though.

Vikings and Saints showed the world that they are the two best teams in the NFC. Cowboys quit complaining about the Vikings "running up the score" and start playing some defense for once. Actually, play some offense as well. That's great you beat a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team for your first playoff win in over a decade and you got an extension Wade Philips, but you and the Cowboys are gonna have to put forth a better effort than what they showed against Minnesota in order to keep there jobs. 34-3, hottest NFC team...right.

Speaking of hottest teams, how bout those San Diego Chargers. At least the Bengals just suck most of the time, how would you like the be a San Diego fan. The biggest choke artists ever. In 2006, they were 14-2 and lost to the Patriots, 1 and done. 2007, they could have beat the Pats but several injuries knocked them out. Last year, they had the ball for 0:17 in the third quarter against the Steelers. Then this year...wow lose to the Jets?! I know I shouldn't talk, my Bengals did. But hey Bengals lost 3 out of 4 going into playing the Jets, the Chargers won 11 straight. They didn't even start playing till the fourth quarter either. EPIC JOKE. Nate Kaeding and Shayne Graham should not have jobs next season. 0 for 5, opponents field goals against the Jets in the post season. Hopefully Stover changes that for the Colts. What a heartbreak. Have a great season, poised to win the Super Bowl and your out cause your kicker caves into pressure.

WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS? NOOOOOBODY I HOPE! Saints offense didn't surprise me, but wow what a defense. Only 14 points given up to a team that scored 51 points last week. I rest my case, Packers defense sucks. Everyone always says how great the Packers defense is, its crap. Impressive win for hte Saints. Knocked my boi Kurt Warner out though, not cool. I hope that wasn't Kurt's last game, but I won't blame him if he retires. I really hoped he'd win a Super Bowl this year and have more than Farve, but oh well always next year if he comes back. Stay Safe Kurt!

Colts were impressive in their victory. They need to establish a running game though. Peyton Manning owns. Ravens great season, just two many mistakes, blown opportunities to score. Todd Heap and Derrick Mason, retire I don't care. Ed Reed, you are the best player to watch in the game, don't leave please. This is coming from a die-hard Bengals fan, PLEASE STAY YOU DESERVE A RING!

My Predictions:
NFC Championship: I'll go with my original predication again: Vikings over Saints. Its not cause of the old guy either. Until someone has an answer for that Vikings defensive line, they are unstoppable. I'll be cheering for the Saints to prove me wrong and either way I'm an NFC fan in the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship: I don't care how many people are picking the Jets, I don't care how confident they are, I don't care what anyone says the simple fact is the Colts have Peyton Manning and the Jets don't...and don't have an answer for him. Revis Island is going to be invaded this Sunday. Colts will beat the Jets @Indy. Anyone else think its a little rigged though? New York = Higher ratings. The Jets and Colts in a rematch of Super Bowl III, in fact if the Ravens would have won it still would have been Baltimore vs. New York.

Scenarios:

Vikings vs. Colts: You'd have Farve vs. Manning, that would be Epic.

Vikings vs. Jets: Farve against his old team from a year ago.

Saints vs. Colts: Manning vs. his father's team and Brees vs. Manning.

Saints vs. Jets: Perhaps battle of tragedies? Katrina vs. 9/11 cities.

NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Many of you are going to think I'm a frontrunner, but seriously my top 4 teams all made the playoffs: 1. Bengals 2. Cardinals 3. Saints 4. Chargers

Rams, Texans, and Lions follow that, but they all missed and 2 were horrible. Doesn't really matter if you believe me or not that's how it is.

WHAT A WIN BY THE CARDINALS LAST WEEKEND THOUGH! 51-45, I hope I see that again when my second and third favorite teams play this week. I know I said Saints earlier, but I think the Cardinals are going to get it done this week verse the Saints. Saints lost 3 straight games to end the season. I think the Cardinals are on fire, so much offense. I hope its 76-70 overtime Cardinals!

As for the Cowboys-Vikings, I must again take back what I said. This game could go either way, but the Cowboys are just on fire right now, and although the Vikings finished their last game strong you just got to wonder if they have enough momentum after the week off. I say Cowboys by less than 10.

Ravens are on fire, but I think Peyton Manning and the Colts have their number. Plus Manning and the Colts are tired about hearing about what happened Week 16 and also how they choke in the playoffs when they get first seed. They shouldn't have pulled their starters, but I think the Colts will have enough to win this game because they have the Ravens number. I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens won, but its at Indy...so I'm going with the Colts by a field goal.

The Chargers are going to beat the Jets by 2-3 touchdowns...sorry Rex Ryan your not the Super Bowl favorites, the Chargers should be. They haven't lost since October 19. They aren't going to lose to you so just shut up! Chargers have all the weapons.

Well that's my predictions for the week.

As for the Bengals game last week...its simple get a new kicker, Chad catch the ball, Carson learn to throw, and everyone else stay healthy. Okay that sums it up...

WOW WHAT A COMEBACK?!

Today I watched the Sherlock Holmes movie, which was longer than expected and thus delayed us from going to the Ohio Vortex Indoor Soccer team in downtown Canton. Turns out is was a good thing, cause the LEOPARDS game was UHH-MAY-ZING!

I got to see top MAC recruits the entire game. That is the refs! They were terrible the entire game. First call, was against us. Michael Brown ran out of bounds along the baseline, didn't touch the ball and the ref called the other way because he was intentionally out of bounds. Never heard of that rule in my life. One time they gave a timeout to Minerva when they didn't have possession at all. We ran into a Minerva player as well, a hard foul should of been us, wasn't called. All night the huge calls were missed and the tick-tack calls were called immediately... I'd say most of the calls went against Louisville in the first 3 quarters. The 4th quarter the calls went a little more Louisville's way...still a lot of garbage calls against Louisville, but still I'll be honest we did get some bad calls to go our way at the end.

Anyways Leopards couldn't stop Minerva for their life the first 3 quarters and we couldn't make anything either. With 3.2 seconds left in the fourth the Leopards were down 54-36, and 18-point deficit. We hit two free throws and the quarter ended 54-38. The Leopards came out on fire in the fourth, I think starting off with 6 unanswered points to make it 56-44 about a minute in. Leopards wasted no time, as they took the lead with a three-pointer to make it 60-58 with like 3 minutes left to play in the game. Minerva's 18 point lead was gone in 5 minutes. Simply amazing! 24-4 run made it 62-58 Leopards. Minerva then got back into it a little bit. Leopards missed some big free throws keeping the score 65-63 Leopards late. Minerva then stole the in bounds pass, but was leaning out of bounds when they tried to call timeout. A timeout they didn't have! TECHNICAL FOUL! Brown made both free throws. 67-63. Foul Chad Gimmi...two more free throws. 69-63. With Gimmi's two free throws he had 10 points, becoming the 5th Leopard on the night in double figures. This is truely a great TEAM!

I've seen a lot of Leopards teams and this one is up there. Maybe not quite as good as the 1999 and 2000 seasons, but I think this team can win district. There is no quit in them whatsoever. I don't know how good Triway is this year, but I think we can take the NBC and anyone in our district. This team is on fire, 9-1 and 7-0 in the conference, only lost to Poland!

Student Section was rocking somewhat tonight. Minerva really didn't have a student section to counter so it wasn't as fun. Didn't have time for "Just Like Football" though haha.

NOTE: Coach Siegfried said after the Lake game “We feel very comfortable in the fourth quarter, which is a good thing.” He wasn't kidding. Leopards outscored Minerva 31-9 in the final period! 38 points in the first three periods and 31 in in the 4th. WOW! I'm glad we didn't go to the Vortex!

Bengals-Jets Preview My Thoughts

The Bengals and Jets meet today, only 6 days after the Jets destroyed the Bengals 37-0. I'm here to tell you that it will be completely different than last week, there will be no blowout.

First let me tell you why the Jets won the game the way they did Sunday. The Bengals didn't care, the conditions were terrible, the offense was just a little bit off, the Bengals had several injuries, and the Jets were the ones playing for something.


The Jets ran all over the Bengals for I believe a team record 257 rushing yards. In fact the 80% of the yardage the Jets gained was on the ground. Why did this happen? Many point to Rey Maualuga being injured against the Chiefs the week before. But that's only part of it. The Bengals entire defensive line was out. Tank Johnson, Shaun Smith, Domata Peko, and Robert Geathers are all gonna be back today against the Jets. When the Jets run fails, they get to test the rookie's (Mark Sanchez) arm against Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. Not to mention that Cris Crocker is going to be back at safety. That Bengals defense you saw last week, will be completely different this week.

Now the offense is another story. Last week the offense was just a little bit off, I don't think that will be the case this week. The Bengals offense is gonna be in sync for this game. Cedric Benson who rested last week is gonna be back. Ochocinco who was injured in the game last week, should make a bigger difference in this game as well. We did lose an offensive lineman, but we should still be able to run the ball and pass a lot better than we did last week. Even if its cold, the Bengals field turf is heated, unlike the Jets which led to Ochocinco slipping on ice in warmups.

The Bengals fans will be there and create a 12th man for the Bengals. They are 6-2 at home this year, although the Jets are 5-3 on the road. Bengals never won at the Meadowlands, 0-11 all-time, so that was part of the curse last week. Conditions will be cold again in Cincinnati, but the Bengals are gonna come out hitting hard unlike last week.

The Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1990 season. 41-14 win over the Houston Oilers, a team that doesn't exist anymore.

The Jets and Bengals did meet in the playoffs in the 1982 season, and this game could be compared to last week's debacle. In the strike-shortened season the Jets beat the Bengals 44-17. The Jets were a 7th seed, because 8 teams made the playoffs due to the strike. Freeman McNeil ran for 211 yards in that game, much like the Jets ran over the Bengals Sunday. Here is the video of the game:

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/multimedia/video/720-jets-24-7-greatest-moments-jets-at-bengals-1-09-83

The Jets and Bengals last meeting in Cincinnati went the Bengals way though. 38-31 Bengals won. The Bengals were down 23-10 in the third and then scored 28 unanswered. So essentially the Bengals just needed more time in the game last week, starters I mean haha. Jonathan Joseph returned a pick for a TD in that game to put the Bengals up 38-24, in garbage time the Jets scored on a hail mary as the clock ran out and went for 2 and got it. Laverneous Coles was the key weapon for the Jets in that game: 8 Catches, 133 Yards, and 2 Touchdowns of 57 and 36 yards. Coles is now with us!

I think its time for the Bengals to rise up and break the playoff win drought. I still say Jets will win though. JETS 24, BENGALS 20. But then again Carson Palmer's career playoff stats are: 1 for 1 for 66 yards with a quarterback rating of 118.8. He was of course injured on that play and the pass was to the late Chris Henry. There's two motivational events right there that should fire up these Bengals. Either way AFC North Division Champions 2009, and undefeated in the division, unless Ravens beat us in AFC Championship, highly unlikely.

Can somebody please tell me who the Steelers are playing this weekend, I seem to have forgotten!

Leopards Domination! Student Section Awakens!

Went to the Louisville-Marlington basketball game tonight. Leopards prevailed 50-42.

Everything started off weird, Star Spangled Banner had the words messed up in Macy Gray style, then the announcer announced the wrong guy in the Leopards starting lineup, he went through the tunnel jokingly, it was great. Leps started off throwing up bricks too. Took a lot of threes with the tough Marlington defense. After going down 17-6 in the second the Leopards went on an 8-0 run to make it 17-14 Dukes at the half. The Leopards then proceeded to dominate the third quarter with a 31-25 lead and cruise to a 50-42 victory.

The Duke's fans blamed the refs, and I will give them that the refs were terrible, but both ways.

Leopards student section finally came alive tonight. Maybe its because I only saw games over break where kids were away. But the Leopards student section was led (as I found out later) by AJ Metzger. Leading the student section in a wave type cheer at the beginning of the game with the crazy Cat in the Hat style Hat. Dude, needs to come to Akron straight up and join the Rowdies, he'd fit right in.

Anyways student sections cheers at the end were at the Marlington fans were "Just like Football" which is an annual occurrence. Always beat them in football, series is like 38-3 or something. But beating them in basketball allows us to cheer that. Marlington fans were yelling at the refs and complaining and Leps student section proceeded to yell "You have no class" I then of course went for the double meaning and commented jokingly: its true they did have a snow day "no class." Marlington fans were enraged, which is what you want, your not a good student section unless your in their head. They continued with something about Trackers, but then said "N-B-C! N-B-C!" which is a great cheer for the appropriate time, but its way way to early. We still need to beat Minerva to avoid the 3-way tie and we have to win against all these teams again.

Keep it up Leopards, Lady Leps, Student Section, etc. I will be going back to college so I don't think I can come to many more games...but LETS GO LEOPARDS!

NFL Playoff Predictions

Okay here's my predictions for this weekend to start off.

In Saturday's opening playoff game. I think the Jets will beat my Bengals. It won't be 37-0 as I will explain to you in a later post, but I can't see the injury plagued Bengals rebounding from 37-0 a week before. Although it is at Cincinnati unlike Philly-Dallas. Bengals historically just aren't very good against the Jets, including 1982 playoff loss to them 44-17. Unfortunately my team is gonna have to wait another year or longer for a playoff win.

Tony Romo and Dallas avoid another epic collapse at the end of a game like this one:



And they beat the Eagles. I'm sorry 24-0 for the division, I don't think the Eagles are going to rebound from that at Dallas again.

Ravens did beat the Raiders to get into the playoffs and the Patriots did choke against the Texans, but I still think the Patriots with or without Wes Welker are going to beat the Ravens. Ravens played them tough earlier in the year, but these are the Patriots, they are a new team win it comes to the playoffs. Ravens seem to be on the down lately too with injuries and such. Pats will win.

Cardinals-Packers, this is the one game that I think is gonna surprise people. Everyone and their mother is picking the Packers to beat the Cardinals because of last week's 33-7 win by the Packers over the Zona. I'm here to tell you that the Cardinals are going to win Sunday. That stadium is gonna get really realy loud, and the Cardinals are gonna turn it on like they did a year ago. Cardinals will win.

Here's my entire playoffs prediction:

Wildcard Round:
(5) Jets over (4) Bengals
(3) Patriots over (6) Ravens

(3) Cowboys over (6) Eagles
(4) Cardinals over (5) Packers

Divisional Round:
(2) Chargers over (3) Patriots
(1) Colts over (5) Jets

(2) Vikings over (3) Cowboys
(1) Saints over (4) Cardinals

Conference Championships:
(2) Chargers over (1) Colts
(2) Vikings over (1) Saints

Super Bowl:
Vikings over Chargers

Yep, Brett Farve retires after this year going out with a championship. Ironically this is what I predicted for the 2008 season in the pre-season. I said that Super Bowl 43 would be Chargers over Vikings. At the beginning of this season I said Steelers over Vikings, either being right or happy. Turns out I'm happy. Vikings got what it takes and their is no cold weather for old man Farve. All domed playoffs for the Vikings until the Super Bowl in warm Miami!

John Madden might even come out of retirement just to announce Brett's Super Bowl!