2010 World Cup Pool - Final Standings

John: 64
Giovanni: 58
Corinne: 56
Joseph: 53
Carla: 51
David: 50
Taylor: 49
Jeremy: 49
Kit: 44
Ali: 42
Hallie: 41
Chris: 41
Tom: 39
Dean: 39
Cara: 38
(Maggie: 23 - knockout round only)
(Phil: 22 - group stage only)
(Paul: 19 - group stage only)
(Alex: 18 - group stage only)

Gooooaaaaallllll! Iniesta!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/11/spain-netherlands-highlig_n_642293.html
You've got to hear how it was called in Spain - it makes me regret having to watch the most boring commentators ever for much of the World Cup. What a World Cup moment!

In Plaza Mayor

Iniesta!

Plaza de Cibeles

España - 2010 World Cup Champions!

Greetings from Spain!

Hola!

Well, what can I say? This country is out of control. Spain's jerseys are all over the streets, buildings, etc. and TV shows Puyol's goal over and over and over again! I was in Barcelona for the semifinal game and am headed to Madrid tomorrow night. Apparently, Plaza Mayor is one of the central locations where people get together to celebrate. Maybe I'll get my face painted, grab a jersey (David Villa's?), eat some tapas/pulpo, and drink sangria afterward?! This is all assuming Arjen Robben doesn't pull off one of his majestic shots all of a sudden and spoil the party here!

I'll upload some photos later.

Ali

Octopus oracle picks Spain to win World Cup

Go Paul Go.....!!!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-germany-octopusoracle-worldcup

Octopus Paul chose a mussel from a glass tank marked with a Spanish flag, while ignoring the tank marked with the German colors - indicating a Spanish victory in Wednesday's semifinal.

Spain vs. Netherlands!

Not the most exciting stuff from Spain-Germany today, but I love the result! Spain in the final for the first time ever! I've always like Puyol - he's not very fast or athletic but he works very hard and plays smart, and he scored the goal of his life today. I would like to see more Fabregas for Spain (he's fresh - they should start him against Netherlands instead of Pedro, who played OK except for the incredibly bad decision not to set up Torres solo on goal). It's nice that there will be a first time World Cup champion this year. And by the way - I'm the only one who picked this final. Despite the fact that I have nailed both the Group Stage and Knockout Round, I still can't quite shake Giovanni, who can tie me for first if Uruguay wins the 3rd place game and Netherlands wins the final. Corinne has clinched 3rd place, so there will be no Singleton 1-2 sweep. Here are the standings after today's game"

John: 60 (64 if Spain wins)
Giovanni: 58 (60 if Uruguay wins)
Corinne: 56
David: 50 (54 if Netherlands wins)
Joseph: 49 (53 if Spain wins)
Carla: 49 (52 if Germany wins)
Jeremy: 49
Taylor: 45 (49 if Spain win)
Kit: 44
Ali: 42
Chris, Hallie: 41
Dean: 39
Cara: 38

Quarter v Semis

The quarterfinals were some of the most exciting matches of the Cup.  Why have the semis been so BLAH when there are such quality teams of the pitch??

Netherlands vs. Uruguay World Cup: Mark van Bommel Somehow Avoids Being Sent Off

I agree with what he says about this Dutch midfielder.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/416309-what-does-van-bommel-have-to-do-to-get-sent-off

Germany crushes Argentina 4-0

Why did we all pick Argentina? 2 minutes into this game, I was kicking myself for falling for the Argentina bandwagon. Germany was absolutely awesome today. Never pick against the Germans - every World Cup they are amazing! Muller and Sweinstiegger dominated the midfield, Klose has an incredible knack for scoring goals (he knows how to be in the right place at the right time as good as any striker). I think this German team is better than 2006 (when they finished 3rd) and 2002 (when the finished 2nd). Can anyone stop this German machine?

Not everyone picked Argentina - Giovanni had Germany!!! Which means he's now in first place!

origens of the vuvuzela

Since these horns are so in focus during the World Cup, it's important to know where they come from.... before you blow them


I found out where the Vuvuzela came from ....think of this next time you blow one!

Standings halfway through quarterfinals

I still can't believe those games today. If tomorrow's games are half as good, we're in for a treat. I've been looking over our scores, and things are starting to shape up:

John: 52
Giovanni, Corinne: 51
Carla, David: 47
Joseph, Kit, Jeremy: 44
Hallie, Chris: 41
Taylor, Ali: 40
Tom: 39
Cara: 38
Dean: 37

So far Jeremy and Corinne have the best knockout round scores, but unfortunately for Jeremy, Corinne has the same remaining picks, so Jeremy will not repeat as champ. Kit also cannot make up the points gap, so we will have a new winner this year (please me!). Carla cannot make up enough points on me (but can still finish 2nd). Giovanni and David still have a chance, and Joseph can still finish 2nd, but it looks like Corinne and I are in the best position. I think if Spain wins tomorrow, Cara locks in last place! I'll send an email out tomorrow after the games letting everyone know where they stand. Go Argentina and Spain!!!

ha ha!

Super DRAMATIC day of world cup: Brazil is out and Uruguay vs. Ghana game ha ha! Will never forget it. Enjoyed what I saw of Uruguay vs Ghana. The best, most entertaining match I've seen so far. Suarez you're the hero right now man, the hand of God comes out again and pays off. Lol.

Netherlands 2, Brazil 1: Oranje to the semifinals!

Woah! That was a shocker! I'm sorry, Carla and Phil. How many of you thought the Dutch would come back to win after being down 1-0 at halftime? I didn't even think Netherlands played all that well - Brazil just had a terrible second half. Emotionally they lost it - they showed no composure when things got rough. You could tell a red card was coming after the Sneijder scored the second goal. So much for all the infighting among the Dutch - they look like a pretty happy group today! I thought once again Kuyt was so valuable, and Van Persie was not (he should be benched in favor of Elia in the semifinals). How did Julio Cesar - probably the best goalie in the world - manage to botch that cross? Why did Brazil seem content just to be up 1-0? Why did Dunga take off Fabiano when they were down 2-1? A bit of luck for the Oranje, but in the end I think they are the more deserving team.

Students in London have unveiled a ''devuvuzelator'' computer program.

http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=104615671&videoChannel=2602