SATURDAY
Opening Ceremonies 1:00 Will they be long? Probably. Will they be boring? Most likely. But c'mon, it's the Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 WCP Cup. The very first day of Saskatchewan's best soccer tournament. I'm excited to get this thing going, and you should be too. There will be tons of people there, and you'll get a taste of the awesome atmosphere.
*Note: The World Curling Championships start on Saturday(great timing).
What else might pique your interest?
Laos vs. Sudan 2:00 What's not to like? We get to see the defending champions back in action, and we get our first look at the brand-new team of Sudan. It's the first game of the tournament, and it'll be a good one.
Timeframe From 3 - 6 Get to see the top-notch Ukraine Women's team take on Poland, and some Youth Boys and Girls games. Chance to watch the players of the future perhaps.
Ireland vs. Sierra Leone 6:00 Top team Ireland takes on the other brand-new team, Sierra Leone. It's unfortunate that the two new teams have to be subjected to playing the top 2 teams in their first game of the tournament. Everyone wants to see how these teams play though.
Women's Germany vs. Women's Ireland 7:00 At this point, the tournament should be behind schedule by 30 minutes or so. Take that into account. But Germany will be Ukraine's main competition for the Women's Championship, so take a look.
France vs. Botswana 8:00 Top contender France plays their first game against the always exciting Botswana. France's first real game in a long time, against a Botswana team that will be itching to pull off the upset.
Canada vs. Jamaica 9:00 The main event of the evening. The two teams that many expect to make it out of the incredibly tough Group D. This game will go a long way in determining the group, and it's only the first day. Will all of Canada's players be ready and healthy enough? Will Jamaica's Saskatoon players make it down? It's the perfect timing for a great matchup between two long-time rivals. One of the best games of the tournament.
El Salvador vs. Northern Ireland 10:00 To cap off the day, we get our first look at the El Salvador team, looking to take their group away from Laos. If there are any upsets in this group, Northern Ireland is likely to be the team to do it. We'll see if their team can actually be taken seriously.
SUNDAY
The Sunday games aren't as exciting as the Saturday games. If you can only make one day, make it Saturday.
2 Youth Games, Women's Canada vs. Women's England, Women's Austria vs. Women's Chile, Portugal vs. Serbia, Scotland vs. Ukraine, England vs. Norway 1:00 to 8:00 There will be some good games in here for sure. I'll be there watching most of them. I want to see if Women's England is still a contender, if Women's Chile can get back to their former glory, if Portugal has the potential to be top team again, if Scotland can upset Ukraine, and see exactly how good Norway is. There's some storylines in this bunch.
Germany vs. Poland 8:00 This is the game you want to be there for. Every Group D will be great, and this is your first look at Germany and Poland. Will Germany gel together on the pitch? Will Poland find enough offence to keep up with them? Both teams will be ready to crush the other one. Be there for this game.
Nigeria vs. Greece 9:00 Can Greece shoot down Nigeria's hopes of contending for first in the group? Last game of the night.
It'll be great weekend. What game are you most excited about this weekend?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Debate: Momentum + Women's Update
Which teams are peaking at the right time? Which are tripping over themselves? Let's take an uneducated look.
Teams on the UPSWING
Jamaica
The team everyone seems to be talking about. Mainly because they've been playing a lot of high profile exhibition games, and doing well in those games. They've beaten El Salvador 2-1 and Nigeria 4-2 among the bigger ones. So is Jamaica a legitimate contender for the Championship? Here's my thoughts: They've still got problems at the back, and have no depth on the outside. A couple good players like O'Gilvie, Banerjee, Amilcar and Korthius can only take you so far, and then a good team will come along and exploit those weak spots. Jamaica will be a good team, no question, but they're getting hyped up to be better than they are. Still on the upswing though, because winning those games goes a long way towards solidifying your team.
Nigeria
Another team playing a lot of exhibition games. They'll be in game shape by the time they hit the field, and they'll give France a run for their money at the top of the group. When it comes to the playoffs, Nigeria still doesn't have the raw talent to beat the top teams, but with a lot of hustle and solid team play like they've shown, they'll have a much better chance.
Poland
Poland is getting lost in the their group. And this is a good thing. They've got a solid defence and core group of players, and they'll have a couple more Saskatoon players. Last year, the entire aim was to get the ball at the feet of their most dangerous player. He's gone now, replaced by a couple good players. Teams can no longer focus on one guy, they'll have to worry about the entire team. Poland also has great fan support, which does help. Playing good in exhibition games, and going in as an underdog. Recipe for success.
Northern Ireland
Luckily for them, they're in an easy group, where all it takes is a tie and lucky goal for a ticket to the playoffs. They've held their own against teams like Canada, and have the best chance out of their group to be able to repeat that success against Laos or El Salvador.
Portugal
Their team might surprise some people. Younger players and hard-working. Remember, they made it all the way to fourth a couple years ago with a scrappy team, and that scrappiness is back.
Teams on the DOWNSWING
France
Don't get me wrong. They'll be in the playoffs, and they're a definite favorite for the title. But a complete lack of exhibition games and full practices has to be painful. France is in a group where they'll win, but they'll pay for it. Nigeria, Afghanistan, Greece and Botswana have never been known as graceful teams. This group will be the most physical group. France will be hacked often in this group, and for them to do well in playoffs they'll have to avoid any major injuries against these teams. Being away from real soccer for this long won't help them.
Laos
Losing two of their top players won't help. Out-of-towners that can no longer make it won't help. The core group has stayed the same, but like the rest of us, they haven't gotten better. Mix that all together, add in the fact that they won last year and have nothing left to prove, and Laos could have a rough time in this tournament. Poor showings in exhibition games as well. Again, don't get me wrong, they're a fantastic team and will very likely be in the semi-finals. But likely on the downswing.
...
Regarding the Women's portion of the tournament, teams are becoming much stronger. As interest grows in the women's portion, the teams are becoming a lot more even. Take for example the U of R girls against AC in the Women's Div. 2 Final on Tuesday night. An exciting game from start to finish ended with AC winning in a shoot-out. The U of R players, consistently touted as the best players in the WCP Cup, have some up and coming talent to watch out for. Look for these players in the Women's WCP Cup.
...
Any other teams on the upswing or downswing?
Teams on the UPSWING
Jamaica
The team everyone seems to be talking about. Mainly because they've been playing a lot of high profile exhibition games, and doing well in those games. They've beaten El Salvador 2-1 and Nigeria 4-2 among the bigger ones. So is Jamaica a legitimate contender for the Championship? Here's my thoughts: They've still got problems at the back, and have no depth on the outside. A couple good players like O'Gilvie, Banerjee, Amilcar and Korthius can only take you so far, and then a good team will come along and exploit those weak spots. Jamaica will be a good team, no question, but they're getting hyped up to be better than they are. Still on the upswing though, because winning those games goes a long way towards solidifying your team.
Nigeria
Another team playing a lot of exhibition games. They'll be in game shape by the time they hit the field, and they'll give France a run for their money at the top of the group. When it comes to the playoffs, Nigeria still doesn't have the raw talent to beat the top teams, but with a lot of hustle and solid team play like they've shown, they'll have a much better chance.
Poland
Poland is getting lost in the their group. And this is a good thing. They've got a solid defence and core group of players, and they'll have a couple more Saskatoon players. Last year, the entire aim was to get the ball at the feet of their most dangerous player. He's gone now, replaced by a couple good players. Teams can no longer focus on one guy, they'll have to worry about the entire team. Poland also has great fan support, which does help. Playing good in exhibition games, and going in as an underdog. Recipe for success.
Northern Ireland
Luckily for them, they're in an easy group, where all it takes is a tie and lucky goal for a ticket to the playoffs. They've held their own against teams like Canada, and have the best chance out of their group to be able to repeat that success against Laos or El Salvador.
Portugal
Their team might surprise some people. Younger players and hard-working. Remember, they made it all the way to fourth a couple years ago with a scrappy team, and that scrappiness is back.
Teams on the DOWNSWING
France
Don't get me wrong. They'll be in the playoffs, and they're a definite favorite for the title. But a complete lack of exhibition games and full practices has to be painful. France is in a group where they'll win, but they'll pay for it. Nigeria, Afghanistan, Greece and Botswana have never been known as graceful teams. This group will be the most physical group. France will be hacked often in this group, and for them to do well in playoffs they'll have to avoid any major injuries against these teams. Being away from real soccer for this long won't help them.
Laos
Losing two of their top players won't help. Out-of-towners that can no longer make it won't help. The core group has stayed the same, but like the rest of us, they haven't gotten better. Mix that all together, add in the fact that they won last year and have nothing left to prove, and Laos could have a rough time in this tournament. Poor showings in exhibition games as well. Again, don't get me wrong, they're a fantastic team and will very likely be in the semi-finals. But likely on the downswing.
...
Regarding the Women's portion of the tournament, teams are becoming much stronger. As interest grows in the women's portion, the teams are becoming a lot more even. Take for example the U of R girls against AC in the Women's Div. 2 Final on Tuesday night. An exciting game from start to finish ended with AC winning in a shoot-out. The U of R players, consistently touted as the best players in the WCP Cup, have some up and coming talent to watch out for. Look for these players in the Women's WCP Cup.
...
Any other teams on the upswing or downswing?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
2011 WCP CupTicket Prices
Here are the ticket prices. 85$ for a tournament pass, and that doesn't include the final. The big question we're all still wondering about is: what's going on with liquor licensing? SOMEBODY get an answer, please.
Adult: $7 per day
Youth: 15 and under $2 per day
Kids: 10 and under Free
Tournament Pass: $85
(April 2-April 22 does not include Final day)
*Tournament Passes will be available 12:30pm April 2nd
at the front desk of the Eventplex.
Final Day April 23 Ticket Prices:
Adult: $10
Youth: 15 and under $3
Kids: 10 and under Free
Adult: $7 per day
Youth: 15 and under $2 per day
Kids: 10 and under Free
Tournament Pass: $85
(April 2-April 22 does not include Final day)
*Tournament Passes will be available 12:30pm April 2nd
at the front desk of the Eventplex.
Final Day April 23 Ticket Prices:
Adult: $10
Youth: 15 and under $3
Kids: 10 and under Free
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Debate: Group D
Let's start this up. A daily debate on which teams are better. To kick it off, let's go with the group everyone is talking about: Group D. So who are the two favorites to come out?
Well, right now, it looks like Jamaica and Canada. I don't like mentioning specific players(to keep their privacy intact), but it's still fairly easily to see the way this group is going.
Jamaica has played a lot of exhibition games. They most recently beat Nigeria 4-2, and Nigeria should be no slouch at this point. Nigeria has probably the team that has spent the most time together before the WCP Cup. They played in the Regina Men's Tournament, losing in the final, and seem to have an exhibition and/or practice every single week. That being said, they should be pretty good at this point. Jamaica is no slouch either, and I believe they've played quite a few exhibition games as well, but have preferred to practice more than they play.
Anyway, Jamaica beating Nigeria 4-2 shows that Jamaica might be a lot better than we're giving them credit for. And then they tied Laos 3-3. We've talked about how they depend on their Saskatoon players, but that might not be the case. It looks like Jamaica might be able to handle the tough games on their own. The Saskatoon players will definitely help though.
Canada has played a couple exhibition games as well, but haven't really had their team together either. Their showing has been worse than Jamaica's. Poland has been getting their games in too, but aren't destroying the weaker teams they play. However, Canada and Poland might look and play completely different when the tournament rolls around.
Ukraine and Germany haven't had any exhibition games, and it seems unlikely they'll have a solid feel for the size of the field and gameplay before the tournament. The large majority of Ukraine practices weekly, as does Germany. But a once-a-week practice doesn't provide the same experience.
I say that Jamaica and Ukraine come out. Ukraine played well in the Moose Jaw tournament, even though they lost in the Semi-final, and they stay in very good shape. Their team is ready to go. They'll outlast Canada, Poland and Germany with their rough schedule, because their players are used to it. Their first is also against Scotland, which allows them to feel out how all the other teams play. They won't be surprised. They'll need someone to step up and start finishing chances though. Jamaica is just playing too well, and without Saskatoon players, to not make it out. They've been working hard and are committed to winning. Germany is too unpredictable, and I don't think they can play solid soccer for the entire group stage. Very good team though. Poland just won't have the players or skill to make it out. They'll win a game or two, but I can't see them beating 4 other very good teams.
With that being said...go Scotland! Beat someone in this group!
And submit your brackets!
Well, right now, it looks like Jamaica and Canada. I don't like mentioning specific players(to keep their privacy intact), but it's still fairly easily to see the way this group is going.
Jamaica has played a lot of exhibition games. They most recently beat Nigeria 4-2, and Nigeria should be no slouch at this point. Nigeria has probably the team that has spent the most time together before the WCP Cup. They played in the Regina Men's Tournament, losing in the final, and seem to have an exhibition and/or practice every single week. That being said, they should be pretty good at this point. Jamaica is no slouch either, and I believe they've played quite a few exhibition games as well, but have preferred to practice more than they play.
Anyway, Jamaica beating Nigeria 4-2 shows that Jamaica might be a lot better than we're giving them credit for. And then they tied Laos 3-3. We've talked about how they depend on their Saskatoon players, but that might not be the case. It looks like Jamaica might be able to handle the tough games on their own. The Saskatoon players will definitely help though.
Canada has played a couple exhibition games as well, but haven't really had their team together either. Their showing has been worse than Jamaica's. Poland has been getting their games in too, but aren't destroying the weaker teams they play. However, Canada and Poland might look and play completely different when the tournament rolls around.
Ukraine and Germany haven't had any exhibition games, and it seems unlikely they'll have a solid feel for the size of the field and gameplay before the tournament. The large majority of Ukraine practices weekly, as does Germany. But a once-a-week practice doesn't provide the same experience.
I say that Jamaica and Ukraine come out. Ukraine played well in the Moose Jaw tournament, even though they lost in the Semi-final, and they stay in very good shape. Their team is ready to go. They'll outlast Canada, Poland and Germany with their rough schedule, because their players are used to it. Their first is also against Scotland, which allows them to feel out how all the other teams play. They won't be surprised. They'll need someone to step up and start finishing chances though. Jamaica is just playing too well, and without Saskatoon players, to not make it out. They've been working hard and are committed to winning. Germany is too unpredictable, and I don't think they can play solid soccer for the entire group stage. Very good team though. Poland just won't have the players or skill to make it out. They'll win a game or two, but I can't see them beating 4 other very good teams.
With that being said...go Scotland! Beat someone in this group!
And submit your brackets!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Opening Ceremonies Announcement
MOBADASS frontman Earl Pereira (co-founder of Wide Mouth Mason) will be singing the National Anthem at the Opening Ceremonies this year.
"As a double-platinum artist and 3-time JUNO nominee, MOBADASS frontman Earl Pereira (co-founder of Wide Mouth Mason) has established himself as one of the most entertaining performers in the country. Pereira has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Nelly Furtado, Alanis Morissette, AC/DC and more. With demand for MOBADASS continuing to grow, Pereira made the decision to leave Wide Mouth Mason in 2010 to focus solely on his increasingly popular project. MOBADASS Performed over 150 shows in 2009/2010 including the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2010 Grey Cup, and National television performances on TSN, CTV, SHAW, GLOBAL, and CBC. In 2011, MOBADASS will release their second studio recording, Starcity Shakedown, the follow up to their acclaimed debut release, Island Rock. For more details visit www.mobadass.ca"
Just one more reason to get excited about the WCP Cup. Bring it on already!
"As a double-platinum artist and 3-time JUNO nominee, MOBADASS frontman Earl Pereira (co-founder of Wide Mouth Mason) has established himself as one of the most entertaining performers in the country. Pereira has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Nelly Furtado, Alanis Morissette, AC/DC and more. With demand for MOBADASS continuing to grow, Pereira made the decision to leave Wide Mouth Mason in 2010 to focus solely on his increasingly popular project. MOBADASS Performed over 150 shows in 2009/2010 including the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2010 Grey Cup, and National television performances on TSN, CTV, SHAW, GLOBAL, and CBC. In 2011, MOBADASS will release their second studio recording, Starcity Shakedown, the follow up to their acclaimed debut release, Island Rock. For more details visit www.mobadass.ca"
Just one more reason to get excited about the WCP Cup. Bring it on already!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Issues
You may or may not have heard what's happening right now, so I'll fill you in.
The main WCP Cup blogs have been contacted by WCP Lawyers regarding the content of this blog. I won't go into details, but this is something that really makes me wonder about the people that come on here.
Listen, I've come on here for the past 5 years. I post predictions, recaps, and other soccer-related topics for the people to talk about. I've never insulted anyone, and my posts are always clean and respectful. I take a lot of time to maintain this blog and keep it updated. I do it because I love soccer, and I love the WCP Cup.
What do I get in return?
People are complaining about this blog behind my back. About what? I don't know. The comments are very clean. If you have a problem, my e-mail address is prominently posted. I've always responded to everyone that's ever e-mailed me. Don't go whining to the organizers. I'm here. Talk to me. I'm more than willing to comply with any reasonable requests. To those that have chosen to complain behind my back to WCP Cup Organizers, you're an embarrassment to the soccer community.
Me, and the other bloggers, we do this for FUN. Get it? I have to deal with countless insulting comments every day. What's your aim here? I don't have to do this. I get absolutely no support from the soccer community, even though I'm providing a service everyone wants. For FREE.
My e-mail was hacked last night. Someone went in, deleted every message in my inbox and outbox, and changed my password. They proceeded to send very disturbing e-mails regarding an individual in our soccer community to people I have great respect for. This made me furious, because it was an intrusion into my personal life that I do not want. As a sidenote, all the brackets that had been e-mailed in were deleted. Please re-send your brackets in. There were quite a few brackets in, and it embarrasses me that I have to ask for them again. I have yet to decide whether or not I'll cancel the entire thing, because these issues with lawyers, e-mail hacking, and insulting comments has really worn me out.
I'd appreciate some support for this blog. I've done my best to give everyone a place to talk about the WCP Cup, and it's getting thrown in my face.
The main WCP Cup blogs have been contacted by WCP Lawyers regarding the content of this blog. I won't go into details, but this is something that really makes me wonder about the people that come on here.
Listen, I've come on here for the past 5 years. I post predictions, recaps, and other soccer-related topics for the people to talk about. I've never insulted anyone, and my posts are always clean and respectful. I take a lot of time to maintain this blog and keep it updated. I do it because I love soccer, and I love the WCP Cup.
What do I get in return?
People are complaining about this blog behind my back. About what? I don't know. The comments are very clean. If you have a problem, my e-mail address is prominently posted. I've always responded to everyone that's ever e-mailed me. Don't go whining to the organizers. I'm here. Talk to me. I'm more than willing to comply with any reasonable requests. To those that have chosen to complain behind my back to WCP Cup Organizers, you're an embarrassment to the soccer community.
Me, and the other bloggers, we do this for FUN. Get it? I have to deal with countless insulting comments every day. What's your aim here? I don't have to do this. I get absolutely no support from the soccer community, even though I'm providing a service everyone wants. For FREE.
My e-mail was hacked last night. Someone went in, deleted every message in my inbox and outbox, and changed my password. They proceeded to send very disturbing e-mails regarding an individual in our soccer community to people I have great respect for. This made me furious, because it was an intrusion into my personal life that I do not want. As a sidenote, all the brackets that had been e-mailed in were deleted. Please re-send your brackets in. There were quite a few brackets in, and it embarrasses me that I have to ask for them again. I have yet to decide whether or not I'll cancel the entire thing, because these issues with lawyers, e-mail hacking, and insulting comments has really worn me out.
I'd appreciate some support for this blog. I've done my best to give everyone a place to talk about the WCP Cup, and it's getting thrown in my face.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Great Moments in WCP Cup History
***Fill out your BRACKETS! You could win $40, and it's free! Click here.
As we get closer to the WCP Cup, we know we're going to see some great games take place. So let's take some time to recall some great times in the WCP Cup history.
2005- The first WCP Cup held in the old soccer facility. Who could forget the leaking roof and run-down facility? However, fans flooded into the place, and it was as loud as could be for the final games. While it only featured something like 6 teams, it set the stage for a great tournament.
2006- The first year in the new facility. Teams entering the tournament shot up, and we were treated to a whole different type of game. The top teams were Ireland, Germany, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Canada. Germany, El Salvador and Jamaica were much the same as 2006. Ireland and Canada were relative newcomers as teams. As the tournament wore on, it became clear that no one respected Canada as a team. They were old and slow, with no skills. Teams took them way too lightly, and ended up paying for it. The Semi-Finals featured Ireland vs. El Salvador, and Jamaica vs. Canada. Ireland and El Salvador had proved to be the top two teams, and they won in a shoot-out. Canada beat Jamaica in an upset to advance to the final, but Ireland beat Canada fairly easily. A great start in the new facility.
2007- The time when the tournament format changed to be much like the one we know today. 20 teams, 4 groups. And lots of exciting soccer. The big story to kick off the tournament was Group D, where El Salvador, England, Laos, Greece and Germany were put together. ALL these teams were strong. We were treated to some epic games by every single of these teams, and when the dust settled, it was Greece and Laos left standing. Ireland had an easy group(no surprise), and so did Jamaica. The other interesting group, Pool B, featured Canada, Ukraine and Norway. These three teams battled hard, and it came down to them having to score as many goals as possible in their last games. Norway ended up edging out Ukraine by scoring over 8 goals. And then we all know what happened after that. Norway went on to win a very exciting final. Great goals, great plays, and an epic overtime header to win 4-3 in an upset. Still the best game in tournament history, in my mind.
We'll stop there for now, and continue with 2008, 2009 and 2010 later. For now, try and remember some of the games from those years and talk about them in the comments. What were some epic games you remember?
Fill out your bracket! See post below.
As we get closer to the WCP Cup, we know we're going to see some great games take place. So let's take some time to recall some great times in the WCP Cup history.
2005- The first WCP Cup held in the old soccer facility. Who could forget the leaking roof and run-down facility? However, fans flooded into the place, and it was as loud as could be for the final games. While it only featured something like 6 teams, it set the stage for a great tournament.
2006- The first year in the new facility. Teams entering the tournament shot up, and we were treated to a whole different type of game. The top teams were Ireland, Germany, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Canada. Germany, El Salvador and Jamaica were much the same as 2006. Ireland and Canada were relative newcomers as teams. As the tournament wore on, it became clear that no one respected Canada as a team. They were old and slow, with no skills. Teams took them way too lightly, and ended up paying for it. The Semi-Finals featured Ireland vs. El Salvador, and Jamaica vs. Canada. Ireland and El Salvador had proved to be the top two teams, and they won in a shoot-out. Canada beat Jamaica in an upset to advance to the final, but Ireland beat Canada fairly easily. A great start in the new facility.
2007- The time when the tournament format changed to be much like the one we know today. 20 teams, 4 groups. And lots of exciting soccer. The big story to kick off the tournament was Group D, where El Salvador, England, Laos, Greece and Germany were put together. ALL these teams were strong. We were treated to some epic games by every single of these teams, and when the dust settled, it was Greece and Laos left standing. Ireland had an easy group(no surprise), and so did Jamaica. The other interesting group, Pool B, featured Canada, Ukraine and Norway. These three teams battled hard, and it came down to them having to score as many goals as possible in their last games. Norway ended up edging out Ukraine by scoring over 8 goals. And then we all know what happened after that. Norway went on to win a very exciting final. Great goals, great plays, and an epic overtime header to win 4-3 in an upset. Still the best game in tournament history, in my mind.
We'll stop there for now, and continue with 2008, 2009 and 2010 later. For now, try and remember some of the games from those years and talk about them in the comments. What were some epic games you remember?
Fill out your bracket! See post below.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
WCP Cup Bracket
Anybody want to win $40?
In conjunction with March Madness, the Blog has decided to put up some prize money donated by 2 generous organizers. To win the money, all you have to do is fill out the attached form.
Click the picture and zoom for full size.
Entry is FREE into the bracket.
To complete: Fill in each group with the finishing order. Ex. Laos- 1, El Salvador 2, and so on, up to 6.
Write the team names in to the spots in the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Final. Ex. A1- Laos.
Beside each Quarter Final is a number from 1 to 4. Those numbers correspond with the Semi Final game.
Write the winner of each Quarter Final in each numbered box.
Whoever wins Game #1 goes in the Semi Final Box labeled 1. Ex. 1 Laos
Then write what you think will be the score in the final. Ex. 3-2.
Entry is FREE. Total Prize: $40. All entries MUST be in before April 2,
and I’ll post all the brackets on the website so you know where you stand.
E-mail wcpcupblog@hotmail.com with your entry.
A couple ways to fill it out:
1. Print off the picture, fill it out, scan it, and e-mail it.
2. Go to a picture editor (Microsoft Paint), fill it out using the pencil tool, save it, and e-mail it.
3. Simply write me an e-mail or post a comment that contains all the relevant information contained in the form.
Point System: Groups: 1st place- 10 points, 2nd place- 8 points, 3rd place- 6 points, 4th place- 3 points, 5th place- 2 points, 6th place- 1 point
Each Quarter Final: 15 points
Each Semi Final: 20 points
Consolation Final: 25 points
Final: 30 points
Here's the pdf file as well. This is the easiest method to send it in. Download the file, go to the Tools tab. Click on "Typewriter" and then simply click and write anywhere on the document you want. When you save it, save it as a JPEG, and e-mail it in.
Bracket
I look forward to seeing your entries.
In conjunction with March Madness, the Blog has decided to put up some prize money donated by 2 generous organizers. To win the money, all you have to do is fill out the attached form.
Entry is FREE into the bracket.
To complete: Fill in each group with the finishing order. Ex. Laos- 1, El Salvador 2, and so on, up to 6.
Write the team names in to the spots in the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Final. Ex. A1- Laos.
Beside each Quarter Final is a number from 1 to 4. Those numbers correspond with the Semi Final game.
Write the winner of each Quarter Final in each numbered box.
Whoever wins Game #1 goes in the Semi Final Box labeled 1. Ex. 1 Laos
Then write what you think will be the score in the final. Ex. 3-2.
Entry is FREE. Total Prize: $40. All entries MUST be in before April 2,
and I’ll post all the brackets on the website so you know where you stand.
E-mail wcpcupblog@hotmail.com with your entry.
A couple ways to fill it out:
1. Print off the picture, fill it out, scan it, and e-mail it.
2. Go to a picture editor (Microsoft Paint), fill it out using the pencil tool, save it, and e-mail it.
3. Simply write me an e-mail or post a comment that contains all the relevant information contained in the form.
Point System: Groups: 1st place- 10 points, 2nd place- 8 points, 3rd place- 6 points, 4th place- 3 points, 5th place- 2 points, 6th place- 1 point
Each Quarter Final: 15 points
Each Semi Final: 20 points
Consolation Final: 25 points
Final: 30 points
Here's the pdf file as well. This is the easiest method to send it in. Download the file, go to the Tools tab. Click on "Typewriter" and then simply click and write anywhere on the document you want. When you save it, save it as a JPEG, and e-mail it in.
Bracket
I look forward to seeing your entries.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
WCP Cup Schedule
Click on any picture to enlarge. Printable PDF version in links to the left.
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 1
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 1
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Potential Finals, Women's Preview, Notes, Results, Etc.
----If it’s like last year, Group A should be taking on Group C, with Group B against Group D. So what might we be looking for the playoff round?
I especially like the possible matchups between Group B and D. We could see Ireland vs. Canada (a classic matchup), Germany vs. Norway (high-scoring group rivals last year), or Norway vs. Canada. Never mind the possibility that completely different teams could be in there, such as Jamaica, Poland and Ukraine. Going on my previous predictions, this could be the first year that the top 4 remain the same. The matchups would be Laos vs. Nigeria, France vs. El Salvador, Ireland vs. Germany and Norway vs. Canada.
Laos, assuming they finish first, would play second place in Group C, likely Nigeria. I would expect Laos to beat whoever comes out in second in Group C. France should be able to beat a weakened El Salvador team, if El Salvador can finish second. Ireland would be facing Germany, and Norway would face Canada. If all 4 teams from last year make it back to the final 4, there will be one major difference. They won’t play the same teams. Laos would likely go up against France, and Ireland would take on Canada (an Ireland vs. Norway semi-final would be very intriguing as well). In my opinion, that would take us to a France vs. Ireland final. And that would be a spectacular final. Anyway, that’s all just speculation. The tournament is crazier every year. There’s virtually no chance it works out like that, but you never know.
----The schedule comes out tomorrow. I’ll break it down, and give you a good idea of which days are best to come watch soccer. The ticket prices are very high, but you can a package that allows you to watch a certain number of games. That might be better and cheaper than a full tournament pass. We’ll find out when the schedule comes out. Stay tuned.
----Anyone have any updates on the alcoholic beverage situation? I’ve heard everything from beer carts to portable bars. Someone make an effort to find this out.
----Exhibition game result: Jamaica beat Afghanistan 6-1. While these are never very accurate of how a team will do in the tournament, it could show that Jamaica is starting to get their act together. Afghanistan went undefeated in their Men’s Division 4 League, but what does that mean? That’s Division 4. Many Division 2 teams would even struggle in the WCP Cup, so that doesn’t mean much. Afghanistan will need to be better.
----Women’s Preview: While not an expert on Women’s soccer, it is great to see so many teams practicing and trying to get a decent team together. The teams are pretty much unchanged from last year, except France has now become Poland, and Scotland is now Ireland. Let’s take a quick look at how it might shake down:
Group A- Led by Ukraine, Group A is probably the stronger of the two groups. Ukraine and England will battle it out for top spot, and that game should be the best of the tournament. Poland will be fishing for the upset here, and if they can pull off a win vs. either team, they’ll have a spot in the playoffs (barring a major collapse).
Group B- Germany leads this group, but the rest of the group is up in the air. Scotland, now Ireland, came out last year but got crushed in the playoffs. Chile can play with the likes of England, Germany and Ukraine, but they’ll need to rebound from last year’s disappointing performance.
Prediction: The groups are evenly matched this year, and England should be able to get revenge on Germany. Germany vs. England and Ukraine vs. Chile in the Semi-Finals, with Ukraine taking on England in the final. Just like the Men’s Side, anything can happen.
----Any ideas for the next poll?
Top Two Teams in Group D? Best Potential Final Matchups? Best Day to Watch Soccer (when schedule is out)? Biggest Sleeper Team? Let me know any suggestions in the comments.
I especially like the possible matchups between Group B and D. We could see Ireland vs. Canada (a classic matchup), Germany vs. Norway (high-scoring group rivals last year), or Norway vs. Canada. Never mind the possibility that completely different teams could be in there, such as Jamaica, Poland and Ukraine. Going on my previous predictions, this could be the first year that the top 4 remain the same. The matchups would be Laos vs. Nigeria, France vs. El Salvador, Ireland vs. Germany and Norway vs. Canada.
Laos, assuming they finish first, would play second place in Group C, likely Nigeria. I would expect Laos to beat whoever comes out in second in Group C. France should be able to beat a weakened El Salvador team, if El Salvador can finish second. Ireland would be facing Germany, and Norway would face Canada. If all 4 teams from last year make it back to the final 4, there will be one major difference. They won’t play the same teams. Laos would likely go up against France, and Ireland would take on Canada (an Ireland vs. Norway semi-final would be very intriguing as well). In my opinion, that would take us to a France vs. Ireland final. And that would be a spectacular final. Anyway, that’s all just speculation. The tournament is crazier every year. There’s virtually no chance it works out like that, but you never know.
----The schedule comes out tomorrow. I’ll break it down, and give you a good idea of which days are best to come watch soccer. The ticket prices are very high, but you can a package that allows you to watch a certain number of games. That might be better and cheaper than a full tournament pass. We’ll find out when the schedule comes out. Stay tuned.
----Anyone have any updates on the alcoholic beverage situation? I’ve heard everything from beer carts to portable bars. Someone make an effort to find this out.
----Exhibition game result: Jamaica beat Afghanistan 6-1. While these are never very accurate of how a team will do in the tournament, it could show that Jamaica is starting to get their act together. Afghanistan went undefeated in their Men’s Division 4 League, but what does that mean? That’s Division 4. Many Division 2 teams would even struggle in the WCP Cup, so that doesn’t mean much. Afghanistan will need to be better.
----Women’s Preview: While not an expert on Women’s soccer, it is great to see so many teams practicing and trying to get a decent team together. The teams are pretty much unchanged from last year, except France has now become Poland, and Scotland is now Ireland. Let’s take a quick look at how it might shake down:
Group A- Led by Ukraine, Group A is probably the stronger of the two groups. Ukraine and England will battle it out for top spot, and that game should be the best of the tournament. Poland will be fishing for the upset here, and if they can pull off a win vs. either team, they’ll have a spot in the playoffs (barring a major collapse).
Group B- Germany leads this group, but the rest of the group is up in the air. Scotland, now Ireland, came out last year but got crushed in the playoffs. Chile can play with the likes of England, Germany and Ukraine, but they’ll need to rebound from last year’s disappointing performance.
Prediction: The groups are evenly matched this year, and England should be able to get revenge on Germany. Germany vs. England and Ukraine vs. Chile in the Semi-Finals, with Ukraine taking on England in the final. Just like the Men’s Side, anything can happen.
----Any ideas for the next poll?
Top Two Teams in Group D? Best Potential Final Matchups? Best Day to Watch Soccer (when schedule is out)? Biggest Sleeper Team? Let me know any suggestions in the comments.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Preview A Pool: Group D
Hang on, this is a long post. But you'll get a decent preview of each team in the group.
Group D
Canada
Ukraine
Germany
Poland
Jamaica
Scotland
Summary: A difficult group? Look no further than Group D. 5 out of 6 teams can easily be considered contenders for the Championship. Canada first. Canada finished 4th last year, but were they really the 4th best team? Canada had arguably one of the easiest groups, with only Ireland as a real challenge. Canada actually managed to tie Botswana, and the best teams should not be tying Botswana. Then they proceeded to tie Ireland, and the best teams SHOULD be able to hang with Ireland. Consider the Botswana game a slip-up. Canada beat Poland in the quarters, and lost the champions, Laos, in the Semi-Finals. Not bad at all. The 3rd place blowout to France meant nothing. So what's in store for Canada this year? They are mostly comprised of players from Enter, the Regina Men's Top Division Winner. Enter has never been known to be a team with lots of skill, yet they consistently win. Canada takes on the same form as Enter. Every player works hard, in always in their position, and does their job. Not flashy, but it gets the job done. Every game involving Canada this year will be close, and will be a good game to watch. There won't be a collapse with this team.
Ukraine is made up of a lot of Yorkton players, a city with a lot of Ukrainian heritage. The Strikers, made up almost entirely of Yorkton players, finished 2nd in the Top Men's Division. They play in much the same way as Enter, not relying on single players to get the job done. In recent years, Ukraine has fallen off in terms of being able to compete with the elite teams, as France and Laos beat them handily in the group stage last year. The younger talent is starting to step up for them, and that could make a difference this year. Germany is the next team in the group, and they should be the main team that others are scared of in this group. Their goal-scoring ability is unmatched by any other team in this group, and maybe the tournament. They can rip goals in from anywhere and everywhere. Teams can't relax on them for a second. Canada and Ukraine specialize in keeping goals to a minimum, and if Germany can score quickly, these teams will be out of their element.
Their issue is getting their players caught up front, leaving them exposed to bad counter-attacks. If they have one weakness, that's it. One thing's for sure, Germany games will not lack excitement. Poland was a surprise team last year, rolling through their group with ease. They'll need to raise their game even more this year, because the group was quite easy last year. Nigeria was their only victory over a legitimately good team. While they've lost a good midfield player, they have gained other players that can pick up the slack and hopefully keep Poland strong. They've got great fan support, and now the big-game experience to go with it. But if one team is going to experience a major drop-off, I'd say it will be Poland. They'll have to bring the intensity every night, and I don't know if they can handle it as well as the previous 3 teams mentioned. Jamaica is often one of the more disappointing teams of the tournament, even though they are exciting and a really good team. Every year we hear about new players that are coming to play with them, and how they'll actually be there this time. I'll believe it when I see it. Having good players show up, without ever practicing with the team, for a couple games is no guarantee of any success. Jamaica does have a solid team, but they need to have a committed and consistent lineup that they can rely on. Teams have to work hard to win these games, and bringing in a couple good players who aren't very interested in it won't help. It's been the same for 3 years, so we'll see. Despite who shows up, Jamaica will have a strong midfield and striking force. They have holes at the back, and the midfield is often stuck hanging back to make sure teams aren't scoring on them, so their scoring potential is never fully realized. Once again, they'll be a very interesting team to follow anyway. Scotland rounds out the group, and they really don't stand a chance. They can't compete on the same level as these other teams. It's just unfortunate for them, this being the second year in a row it's happened. You can completely expect every team in this group to write off the Scotland game. But you know what? Scotland lost to Norway 3-4 last year, in the same type of group. A team tying or losing to Scotland here will be a dagger to any playoff hopes. I'm sure Scotland is praying that teams will take them very lightly, and you can bet they will. Watch for an upset.
Prediction: Who to take here? Canada can handle this tough type of group. So can Germany. Jamaica can, with the right team. It's a toss-up. I don't think any of these teams have improved substantially. I'll say Canada makes it out in first because they've got the players, team chemistry, and experience. They may not be the most talented, but can withstand the punishment of playing 5 tough games. I'll take Germany in second. My decision was really between Canada, Germany and Jamaica. I don't think Ukraine is on the same intensity level as these 3, and I think Poland will have a tough time in this group. It's incredibly tough to predict this group, and every single game will be great to watch. I've probably played against every player in this group, and I know we're in for some great soccer. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it, because it will be awesome.
In Finishing Order: Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Ukraine, Poland, Scotland.
Group D
Canada
Ukraine
Germany
Poland
Jamaica
Scotland
Summary: A difficult group? Look no further than Group D. 5 out of 6 teams can easily be considered contenders for the Championship. Canada first. Canada finished 4th last year, but were they really the 4th best team? Canada had arguably one of the easiest groups, with only Ireland as a real challenge. Canada actually managed to tie Botswana, and the best teams should not be tying Botswana. Then they proceeded to tie Ireland, and the best teams SHOULD be able to hang with Ireland. Consider the Botswana game a slip-up. Canada beat Poland in the quarters, and lost the champions, Laos, in the Semi-Finals. Not bad at all. The 3rd place blowout to France meant nothing. So what's in store for Canada this year? They are mostly comprised of players from Enter, the Regina Men's Top Division Winner. Enter has never been known to be a team with lots of skill, yet they consistently win. Canada takes on the same form as Enter. Every player works hard, in always in their position, and does their job. Not flashy, but it gets the job done. Every game involving Canada this year will be close, and will be a good game to watch. There won't be a collapse with this team.
Ukraine is made up of a lot of Yorkton players, a city with a lot of Ukrainian heritage. The Strikers, made up almost entirely of Yorkton players, finished 2nd in the Top Men's Division. They play in much the same way as Enter, not relying on single players to get the job done. In recent years, Ukraine has fallen off in terms of being able to compete with the elite teams, as France and Laos beat them handily in the group stage last year. The younger talent is starting to step up for them, and that could make a difference this year. Germany is the next team in the group, and they should be the main team that others are scared of in this group. Their goal-scoring ability is unmatched by any other team in this group, and maybe the tournament. They can rip goals in from anywhere and everywhere. Teams can't relax on them for a second. Canada and Ukraine specialize in keeping goals to a minimum, and if Germany can score quickly, these teams will be out of their element.
Their issue is getting their players caught up front, leaving them exposed to bad counter-attacks. If they have one weakness, that's it. One thing's for sure, Germany games will not lack excitement. Poland was a surprise team last year, rolling through their group with ease. They'll need to raise their game even more this year, because the group was quite easy last year. Nigeria was their only victory over a legitimately good team. While they've lost a good midfield player, they have gained other players that can pick up the slack and hopefully keep Poland strong. They've got great fan support, and now the big-game experience to go with it. But if one team is going to experience a major drop-off, I'd say it will be Poland. They'll have to bring the intensity every night, and I don't know if they can handle it as well as the previous 3 teams mentioned. Jamaica is often one of the more disappointing teams of the tournament, even though they are exciting and a really good team. Every year we hear about new players that are coming to play with them, and how they'll actually be there this time. I'll believe it when I see it. Having good players show up, without ever practicing with the team, for a couple games is no guarantee of any success. Jamaica does have a solid team, but they need to have a committed and consistent lineup that they can rely on. Teams have to work hard to win these games, and bringing in a couple good players who aren't very interested in it won't help. It's been the same for 3 years, so we'll see. Despite who shows up, Jamaica will have a strong midfield and striking force. They have holes at the back, and the midfield is often stuck hanging back to make sure teams aren't scoring on them, so their scoring potential is never fully realized. Once again, they'll be a very interesting team to follow anyway. Scotland rounds out the group, and they really don't stand a chance. They can't compete on the same level as these other teams. It's just unfortunate for them, this being the second year in a row it's happened. You can completely expect every team in this group to write off the Scotland game. But you know what? Scotland lost to Norway 3-4 last year, in the same type of group. A team tying or losing to Scotland here will be a dagger to any playoff hopes. I'm sure Scotland is praying that teams will take them very lightly, and you can bet they will. Watch for an upset.
Prediction: Who to take here? Canada can handle this tough type of group. So can Germany. Jamaica can, with the right team. It's a toss-up. I don't think any of these teams have improved substantially. I'll say Canada makes it out in first because they've got the players, team chemistry, and experience. They may not be the most talented, but can withstand the punishment of playing 5 tough games. I'll take Germany in second. My decision was really between Canada, Germany and Jamaica. I don't think Ukraine is on the same intensity level as these 3, and I think Poland will have a tough time in this group. It's incredibly tough to predict this group, and every single game will be great to watch. I've probably played against every player in this group, and I know we're in for some great soccer. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it, because it will be awesome.
In Finishing Order: Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Ukraine, Poland, Scotland.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Preview A Pool: Group C
Group C
France
Botswana
Greece
Italy
Nigeria
Afghanistan
Summary: Group C plays out a lot like Group A and Group B. El Salvador SHOULD get second in Group A, Norway SHOULD get second in Group B, and Nigeria SHOULD get second in Group C. But in Group C, it's a lot murkier. France is back with a vengeance after being ousted by Ireland in the semi-final. They beat Laos fairly handily, and Laos ended up winning. The team remains the same, give or take a couple players. If the schedule works the way it did last year, France won't have to face Ireland until the final. And you can bet France will be bulldozing its way to the final. Botswana was up and down last year, playing Ireland a lot closer than expected and tying a strong Canada team, but they also lost to Columbia. They need some consistency if they have any hope of making it out of the group this year. Luckily for Botswana, the frontrunner for second place is Nigeria, the most inconsistent team in the tournament. Greece always shows up to play. They may not have the talent they once had, but they're Greek through and through, and a great addition to the tournament. A physical team, they'll have to rely on a compact defence to prevent any balls from getting through, because they lack scoring ability. Italy has been in the tournament for the last 4 years or so, and the result has always been the same. Never a contender, they play hard for pride and the occasional win. Attaining third in this group would be a great accomplishment. Nigeria. What can you say about them? Every year that they're expected to do good, they fall flat. Once you're down on them, they impress you. No one really knows what to expect from Nigeria, except the Nigerian team. They've been practicing hard for quite some time now. They did exceptionally well in the Regina Men's Tournament, reaching the final and narrowly losing to the O'Neill Alumni Team. They practice in the facility quite a bit(way more than any other team) and are scheduling exhibition games galore. You want a prepared team? Nigeria is it. They may not have the individual skills, but they'll play great as a team. Anything less than the semi-finals will be disappointing for them. Afghanistan is another up and down team, much like Botswana, but that's because the makeup of their team has changed so drastically from year to year. Rumor has it their team is on the rise, and could challenge Nigeria for that second spot. Before they can do that, they'll need to find a defence and some composure. They would concede a few goals, get a couple cards, then concede a few more goals. We'll see what they can come up with this year.
Prediction: France will easily sweep the group. Nigeria doesn't have the track record of El Salvador and Norway, so locking them in for 2nd place is a little tougher. However, I do expect their preparation to pay off and see them in the second round. The groups rarely turn out the way you'd expect, but these first three groups are pretty straightforward. Any upsets would be tremendous, and I hope I'm wrong on all these predictions for that reason. Botswana and Afghanistan are the next best teams, and will battle it out for third. Italy and Greece will bring up the rear.
In Finishing Order: France, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Botswana, Italy, Greece.
France
Botswana
Greece
Italy
Nigeria
Afghanistan
Summary: Group C plays out a lot like Group A and Group B. El Salvador SHOULD get second in Group A, Norway SHOULD get second in Group B, and Nigeria SHOULD get second in Group C. But in Group C, it's a lot murkier. France is back with a vengeance after being ousted by Ireland in the semi-final. They beat Laos fairly handily, and Laos ended up winning. The team remains the same, give or take a couple players. If the schedule works the way it did last year, France won't have to face Ireland until the final. And you can bet France will be bulldozing its way to the final. Botswana was up and down last year, playing Ireland a lot closer than expected and tying a strong Canada team, but they also lost to Columbia. They need some consistency if they have any hope of making it out of the group this year. Luckily for Botswana, the frontrunner for second place is Nigeria, the most inconsistent team in the tournament. Greece always shows up to play. They may not have the talent they once had, but they're Greek through and through, and a great addition to the tournament. A physical team, they'll have to rely on a compact defence to prevent any balls from getting through, because they lack scoring ability. Italy has been in the tournament for the last 4 years or so, and the result has always been the same. Never a contender, they play hard for pride and the occasional win. Attaining third in this group would be a great accomplishment. Nigeria. What can you say about them? Every year that they're expected to do good, they fall flat. Once you're down on them, they impress you. No one really knows what to expect from Nigeria, except the Nigerian team. They've been practicing hard for quite some time now. They did exceptionally well in the Regina Men's Tournament, reaching the final and narrowly losing to the O'Neill Alumni Team. They practice in the facility quite a bit(way more than any other team) and are scheduling exhibition games galore. You want a prepared team? Nigeria is it. They may not have the individual skills, but they'll play great as a team. Anything less than the semi-finals will be disappointing for them. Afghanistan is another up and down team, much like Botswana, but that's because the makeup of their team has changed so drastically from year to year. Rumor has it their team is on the rise, and could challenge Nigeria for that second spot. Before they can do that, they'll need to find a defence and some composure. They would concede a few goals, get a couple cards, then concede a few more goals. We'll see what they can come up with this year.
Prediction: France will easily sweep the group. Nigeria doesn't have the track record of El Salvador and Norway, so locking them in for 2nd place is a little tougher. However, I do expect their preparation to pay off and see them in the second round. The groups rarely turn out the way you'd expect, but these first three groups are pretty straightforward. Any upsets would be tremendous, and I hope I'm wrong on all these predictions for that reason. Botswana and Afghanistan are the next best teams, and will battle it out for third. Italy and Greece will bring up the rear.
In Finishing Order: France, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Botswana, Italy, Greece.
Preview A Pool: Group B
Group B
Republic of Ireland
Norway
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Portugal
England
Summary:Ireland leads the way in group B. Ireland has consistently gotten an easy group at the draw, and this year is no different. Fielding another dominant team, Ireland has too much skill at every position to not win this group. But Ireland relies heavily on Saskatoon players, and the uncertainty of who will play on any given night could hurt them. They could also be becoming disheartened, as there was talk that Ireland wouldn't even enter a team. Norway was able to make it out of a group last year that included El Salvador, Germany, and Jamaica. Not an easy task. However, Norway can be exposed on defence, and they don't have premier striking ability. Hustle, strong midfield play, and hard work are Norway's attributes in this tournament, not necessarily skill. Serbia was in the easiest pool last year, and only finished 4th in the pool. We've seen them bring in a couple good players from Winnipeg in the past, but there were none last year. If they've convinced some good players to join them, they'll have a chance. Again, another good group for the weaker teams to be in. Sierra Leone is a newcomer, and I know nothing about them. But I REALLY hope they come in with a good team. Portugal was usually a good team, but then last year took a nosedive. They aren't expected to regain their former glory, mainly due to losing a lot of players. They used a lot of players from the Moose Jaw Air Base, but many of those players were transferred before last year. What we might see this year is a much younger Portugal team. A lot of the younger players have ties to some Portugal players, and likely will be recruited by them. If that's the case, Portugal will be a fairly decent team. England is the final team in this group, and while they're not expected to win many games, it sure would be nice to see them play hard and take it to one of the top teams.
Prediction: Ireland has to be considered the favorite to win all of their games and make it out of the pool. I think they'll get tested by Norway, but ultimately prevail. Norway will make them work very hard for the win, because Norway fits the definition of "playing together as a team," but they don't have the talent to stop Ireland from scoring multiple goals. Norway can win, but it will take a flawless effort. Serbia, Sierra Leone, and England will try and put a dent in Norway's and Ireland's hopes, but it is unlikely. Portugal will have a decent showing, assuming they field the type of team I believe they will. The younger players are often counted out because we don't really know who they are, but they can provide very good reinforcements for a team. If you know of one, I suggest getting them on your team.
In Finishing Order: Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, England, Serbia.
Republic of Ireland
Norway
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Portugal
England
Summary:Ireland leads the way in group B. Ireland has consistently gotten an easy group at the draw, and this year is no different. Fielding another dominant team, Ireland has too much skill at every position to not win this group. But Ireland relies heavily on Saskatoon players, and the uncertainty of who will play on any given night could hurt them. They could also be becoming disheartened, as there was talk that Ireland wouldn't even enter a team. Norway was able to make it out of a group last year that included El Salvador, Germany, and Jamaica. Not an easy task. However, Norway can be exposed on defence, and they don't have premier striking ability. Hustle, strong midfield play, and hard work are Norway's attributes in this tournament, not necessarily skill. Serbia was in the easiest pool last year, and only finished 4th in the pool. We've seen them bring in a couple good players from Winnipeg in the past, but there were none last year. If they've convinced some good players to join them, they'll have a chance. Again, another good group for the weaker teams to be in. Sierra Leone is a newcomer, and I know nothing about them. But I REALLY hope they come in with a good team. Portugal was usually a good team, but then last year took a nosedive. They aren't expected to regain their former glory, mainly due to losing a lot of players. They used a lot of players from the Moose Jaw Air Base, but many of those players were transferred before last year. What we might see this year is a much younger Portugal team. A lot of the younger players have ties to some Portugal players, and likely will be recruited by them. If that's the case, Portugal will be a fairly decent team. England is the final team in this group, and while they're not expected to win many games, it sure would be nice to see them play hard and take it to one of the top teams.
Prediction: Ireland has to be considered the favorite to win all of their games and make it out of the pool. I think they'll get tested by Norway, but ultimately prevail. Norway will make them work very hard for the win, because Norway fits the definition of "playing together as a team," but they don't have the talent to stop Ireland from scoring multiple goals. Norway can win, but it will take a flawless effort. Serbia, Sierra Leone, and England will try and put a dent in Norway's and Ireland's hopes, but it is unlikely. Portugal will have a decent showing, assuming they field the type of team I believe they will. The younger players are often counted out because we don't really know who they are, but they can provide very good reinforcements for a team. If you know of one, I suggest getting them on your team.
In Finishing Order: Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, England, Serbia.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Preview A Pool: Group A
Group A
Laos
El Salvador
Austria
Sudan
Columbia
Northern Ireland
Summary: Laos is looking to defend their title this year, and at first glance, it doesn't seem like they'll have any difficulty at all in getting back to the playoffs. Laos is far and away the most talented and experienced team in the group. El Salvador, after a great showing 2 years ago, wasn't able to make it past France and Laos in their group last year. This year, El Salvador could be hurting even more, by losing some of the younger and talented players to the University Final timeframe and other issues. El Salvador will be hard-pressed to put together a team capable of beating a top team.
Austria has always been a fighter in the tournament, but never had the skills to overcome the best teams. They work hard and score some goals, but can't put together the total effort needed to win. If it's true that they're losing their keeper to Norway, it will be a huge blow to their team. Sudan is a newcomer, and it's always tough to judge how newcomers will do(ex. Afghanistan 2 years ago). Sudan will get acquainted very quickly with the close quarters and physical style of this tournament. They might be bringing some skilled players, but if you haven't played in this tournament before, you're in for some trouble. Columbia has always been like Austria...they'll make a team work for the win. You can't just show up. Northern Ireland has been a strong team in the past, but they seem to have slowed down. The thing is, if they're going to get back on track, this is the group to do it in.
Prediction: Laos should easily win the group, barring a stellar performance by El Salvador. El Salvador is the real wild card here. If they don't show up with a decent team, this group is wide open. Austria, Sudan, Columbia, and Northern Ireland can duke it out for the rest of the spots. If one of these 4 teams can dominate the other ones, they'll have a good shot at El Salvador for 2nd.
In finishing order: Laos, El Salvador, Columbia, Northern Ireland, Sudan, Austria
Laos
El Salvador
Austria
Sudan
Columbia
Northern Ireland
Summary: Laos is looking to defend their title this year, and at first glance, it doesn't seem like they'll have any difficulty at all in getting back to the playoffs. Laos is far and away the most talented and experienced team in the group. El Salvador, after a great showing 2 years ago, wasn't able to make it past France and Laos in their group last year. This year, El Salvador could be hurting even more, by losing some of the younger and talented players to the University Final timeframe and other issues. El Salvador will be hard-pressed to put together a team capable of beating a top team.
Austria has always been a fighter in the tournament, but never had the skills to overcome the best teams. They work hard and score some goals, but can't put together the total effort needed to win. If it's true that they're losing their keeper to Norway, it will be a huge blow to their team. Sudan is a newcomer, and it's always tough to judge how newcomers will do(ex. Afghanistan 2 years ago). Sudan will get acquainted very quickly with the close quarters and physical style of this tournament. They might be bringing some skilled players, but if you haven't played in this tournament before, you're in for some trouble. Columbia has always been like Austria...they'll make a team work for the win. You can't just show up. Northern Ireland has been a strong team in the past, but they seem to have slowed down. The thing is, if they're going to get back on track, this is the group to do it in.
Prediction: Laos should easily win the group, barring a stellar performance by El Salvador. El Salvador is the real wild card here. If they don't show up with a decent team, this group is wide open. Austria, Sudan, Columbia, and Northern Ireland can duke it out for the rest of the spots. If one of these 4 teams can dominate the other ones, they'll have a good shot at El Salvador for 2nd.
In finishing order: Laos, El Salvador, Columbia, Northern Ireland, Sudan, Austria
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