We all know that most so-called sporting events are fixed so that the
bookies always win: horse racing, dog racing, boxing, etc., etc.

So what about the World Cup?

I reckon that the so-called accident suffered by Wayne Rooney (the
England striker) was all media hype and that he's perfectly all right.

The scenario that I envisage is that England will play Germany in the Final
and that England will be losing 3-0 with 10 minutes left ...

Then Rooney limps on and scores 4 goals with his damaged foot and so
England win against the odds.

Well the result will soon be history but I also want to go down as The
Man Who Forecasted the Result.

Of course, I fully realise that most Researchers and many Commenters
are either women or American (neither of whom know anything about
Football) but there must be somebody somewhere who can support me ...

Anyone?

Bryan

Bryan, 

Thanks for the opportunity to post an answer. 

And to answer our Aussie friend's question. Let's see: 
- I have predictions, which may turn out to be correct
- I have tickets (alas, only to one match, and with obstructed view)

Am I part of the conspiracy? Is that the reason I already know (or think I know)? 

Let's all meet back on GA on July 9th. 

And may the best man (Dwight Yorke) win. 

Poly.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by probonopublico-ga on 06 Jun 2006 21:19 PDT

Wow, Sheila, What a list!

However, I am afraid that none of the names (except Harry Kewell and
Mark Viduka) means anything to me but maybe the World Cup will change
all that.

Many thanks.

Bryan

---

Request for Answer Clarification by probonopublico-ga on 06 Jun 2006 22:49 PDT

Sorry, Polly

I had intended to make a Comment.

ATB

Bryan

---

Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 07 Jun 2006 00:27 PDT

No problem! 

Later, PG

Hi Polly

Many thanks!

I am now looking forward to meeting you on July 9.

Usual time and place?

All the Very Best

Bryan

The Bookies should aways win That is why they set the ODDS



KMLO

Hi Bryan,

I am just wondering, are the four goals that Rooney scores legitimate
goals?  We don't want to have documentaries 40 years from now
discussing Russian linesmen ("referees assistants"), balls crossing
lines or not and how many people were on the pitch when the goal went
in.

Will Rooney replace Peter "The Robot" Crouch in the final 10 minutes
or Michael "My injury this week is..." Owen?  I want to test your
Mystic Meg powers to the full.

Whilst we are on the subject of predicting results I can't wait for
the 7-0 drubbing of Jamaica this afternoon and "Noddies Way" romping
home by 10 lengths in the Derby.

palitoy-ga

Bryan,

Your forecast of the result of the final game of the impending boredom
and mind-numbingly tedium of the World Cup reminds me of a Roy of the
Rovers story line. In fiction, the yob - sorry, Wayne - has every
chance of scoring four goals and grabbing a last minute win for
England. But in truth: no. Especially after he rolled about on the
pitch clutching his foot, screaming and acting like a big girl?s
blouse.

The sooner England gets knocked out, the better. We can return to some
sort of normality.

As you can see, I don?t like football.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the forthcoming games.

http://www.royoftherovers.com/

answerfinder-ga

On Australian Television SBS Monday nights at 9pm. 
Pizza: The Da Vinci Cup
Starring Pauly Falzoni (Paul Fenech)
Quote from site:
http://www.tv.com/pizza/pizza-the-da-vinci-cup/episode/751693/summary.html

"With the World Cup starting soom, Pauly and the gang travel around
the glob to prove the sporting event is a sham, and that the results
are already known by a select few."

Episode 1 and 2 have been shown. It really is quite funny.

"glob" should read "globe"

Your final is almost as likely as my prediction: 

Trinidad vs. Holland 

[The Socca Warriors win, of course] 

But it is actually more likely that T&T (or the Oranges) will get to
the final than either the Germans or the English.

And now seriously: 

Group A: Germany first, unless there is a surprise. Poland/Ticos second? 

Group B: England or Sweden first, the other second (sorry, but my bet
is on Ikea. If you manage to take over the world with crappy furniture
and ABBA music, you're much more capable). My fingers are still
crossed for T&T, of course.

Group C: Argentina (yuck, sorry Guillermo) and Netherlands. 

Group D: Mexico and Portugal (Iran hopefully comes last)

Group E: Italy and then Ghana (sorry AmiGARs)

Group F: Naturally Brazil first, and then some Croatia, probably. 

Group G: France and Korea(?)

Group H: Spain and Ukraine

***

Round of 16: 

WA - RB: Germany-England or Germany-Sweden. If England comes second,
and they meet here, no chance for final  (BTW, in both cases, I think
Germany would win)

WC - RD: Argentina-Mexico or Argentina-Portugal (with a fair chance of
the Netherlands on both matches).

WE - RF: Italy-Croatia

WG - RH: France-Ukraine

WB - RA: Sweden/England - Poland-Ticos. I see here a fair chance, if
England comes in first, that they will be kicked by the Poles. After
all, there are two Poles on Earth.

WD - RC: like the opposite match

WF - RE: Brazil will win, no matter who's against it (Ghana, US or the Czech). 

WH - RG: Spain or Ukraine will kick Korea's bottom. 

***

1/4 Finals: 

* Germany - Argentina/Netherlands 

* France - Italy would be nice and probably interesting to watch. 

* If the English were not kicked by the Poles/Costaricans, they're up
to meet nemesis Argentina, or Netherlands, which is strong. Again, fat
chances of them winning.

* Brazil wins.

***

Half finals

Now I'm really risking it. But I'd bet: 

Germany (this I'm not so sure of, could be Argentine or the
Netherlands) - France/Italy

Brazil - Netherlands/Argentina (and if, by an act of God, England has
managed to win the 1/4 final, than here's Brazil...)

But I don't see England here more than I see T&T. 

***

Final: 

Brazil - whatever. 

Says the GAR who has TICKETS!

What about Australia??
I'm hoping our much loved "Socceroos" a little bit better than
"Politicalguru" predicts.

I meant to say:
I hope our much loved "Socceroos" do a little better than
Politicalguru predicts. And I am a Woman, which could explain my
optimism.

Australia's problem is being in the same house as Croatia, Japan and
Brazil. There is IMHO a chance that they'll pass the groups phase, but
then they'll have to deal with the winner of Italy house (Italy?).

*^&%!  My 7-0 prediction would have been correct if Peter "The Robot"
Crouch could score penalties.  I suppose 6-0 wasn't too bad... c'mon
Nobbies Way!

palitoy-ga

I notice the U.S.A. isn't going to do to well either, why doesn't that surprise me.
I think I was more surprised they were in it.

If all Politicalguru's predictions come true, does that mean
Politicalguru is a prophet?
Or are scores required?

Wow, Many Thanks Everyone ...

Pity that nobody supported ME!

Great to hear from a Sheila. I've been to Oz several times (Sydney,
Newcastle, Perth, Port Headland) but I never met a Sheila who loved
football. What next?

And now I have discovered that Wee Polly is also a football fan, with
a handbagful of tickets. Obviously, she's not just a Poly Guru but she
must also have lots of Political Clout. (I must learn to be more
respectful.)

Also Polly really stuck her neck out with a detailed forecast but, in
view of her political connections, I now wonder if this was just
disinformation?

And my great pal, Pal, also stuck his neck out with forecasts of
yesterday's Result (almost right) and the winner of 'The Derby'
(pathetically wrong apparently). What is The Derby? Have I missed
something?

And now it's time for someone to post an Answer.

Sorry, Answerfinder, but yesterday was not one of your better days, was it?

And sorry, old Pal, I do owe you and Pearl one but ...

Wee Polly put in A LOT of work that was very sharply focused and so I
have great pleasure in inviting her to do the necessary.

Auf Wiedersehen

Bryan

An Email I got recently:

A man had great tickets for the World Cup Final.
As he sits down, another man comes down and asks if anyone is
sitting in the empty seat next to him.
"No," he says. "The seat is empty."
This is incredible!" says the other man. "Who in their right mind
would have a seat like this for the World Cup Final, the biggest
sporting event, and not use it?"
"Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to
come with me, but she passed away. This is the first World Cup
Final we haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't
you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbour to
take  the  seat?"
The man shakes his head. "No. They're all at the funeral.

Aussietpp-ga

The late Bill Shankly, once a famous manager of Liverpool, declared
that football wasn't merely a matter of Life and Death ...

It was much more important. 

Apart from Harry Kewell (also of Liverpool), do we know ANYBODY in the Oz team?

Bryan

No idea!

Bryan,
you might have heard of these guys:

Mark Schwarzer - Goalkeeper - Current Club: Middlesbrough, England
Lucas Neill - Defender - Current Club: Blackburn Rovers, England
Craig Moore - Defender - Current Club: Newcastle United, England
Tim Cahill - Midfielder - Current Club: Everton, England


Source THE WORLD GAME website

http://newtwg.sbs.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=71845

Hi Aussietpp-ga

Sorry - Their names mean nothing to me but I guess that they must be
good to play in England.

Many thanks!

Bryan

Bryan,
How about:

Tony Popovic - Current Club: Crystal Palace, England
Brett Emerton - Current Club: Blackburn Rovers, England
Josip Skoko - Current Club: Wigan Athletic, England
Mark Viduka - Current Club: Middlesbrough, England
Stan Lazaridis - Current Club: Birmingham City, England
Vince Grella - Current Club: Parma, Italy(?)
Scott Chipperfield - Current Club: Basle or Basel, Switzerland
John Aloisi - Current Club: Club Deportivo Alaves, Spain
Jason Culina - Current Club: PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Archie Thompson - Current Club: PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Zelijko Kalac - Current Club: AC Milan, Italy
Joshua Kennedy - Current Club: Dynamo Dresden, Germany
Luke Wilkshire - Current Club: Bristol City, England
Mile Sterjovski - Current Club: Basle or Basel, Switzerland
Marco Bresciano - Current Club: Parma, Italy(?)
Harry Kewell - Current Club: Liverpool, England

Well out of 23 players, 1 doesn't have a current club (Ante Covic was
previously with Hammarby, Sweden), Australia 2 (Mark Milligan and
Michael Beauchamp),
England 11, Italy 3, Switzerland 2, Netherlands 2, Spain 1 and Germany 1.

My Source:

http://newtwg.sbs.com.au/socceroos/index.php?pid=pl#

Regards,
Aussie Sheila

Wow, Sheila, What a list!

However, I am afraid that none of the names (except Harry Kewell and
Mark Viduka) means anything to me but maybe the World Cup will change
all that.

Many thanks.

Bryan

By the way, I've just heard some commentator on the radio saying the
Australia is going to be the surprise of the turnment.

If anything, a team whose members: 
- Did not have an intensive league 
- Most of them play at home 

Could be a surprise, because the players are not tired. This might be
Iran or the USA. But the Socceroos play in Europe and will be just as
tired as the English or the Italians.

Many thanks, Polly

Commentators do say some silly things!

(And not just here on this GA-laxy.)

Bryan

Well, it's all going to plan.

England looked suitably pathetic in their opening game with none of
their players being able to find the net.

Or, rather, what I could see of the game thanks to the heavy shadows
that made it look more like a night game.

And was it really necessary to have a huge Zeppelin floating over the
ground to create further shadows on the pitch?

Polly ... You have A LOT to answer for.

Bryan

Is there a conspiracy?  Maybe  - first goal scored against itself by
the losing team  (Duh, what's an "Eigentor" called in English?).  The
secret hope is that England will win its games in the last round, thus
avoiding violent disappointment of the fans while they stay around for
the next game in the round with tickets for the predictable venues. 
Then in the playoffs, when England is playing in a stadium and city
where security can be better achieved, England will be "allowed" to
lose, the disappointed fans adequately controlled and sent home.
Maybe someone has thought to spike their beer on that day, so that
they are incapable of resistance.  This would be a great project for
the BND, Germany's weak-kneed equivalent of the CIA, which needs to
polish its image after leaked reports about its spying on journalists
and others within the country, where it is not supposed to be active. 
Maybe the BND has infiltrated the referees and can swing something
(but I doubt they are up to that).

Oh, that "Zeppelin" over the Frankfurt stadium is a house-sized box
with four video monitors and contains the "roof" that can be spread
over the field.  It didn't work so well at the Federation's Cup game
last year, but maybe it will now, if necessary.

Socceroos won their first World Cup Match for Australia ever!
And yes the last 10 minutes were exciting.

However for excitement factor I think the Trinidad and Tobago - Sweden
match tops the list so far.

I haven't watched all the matches that have been played so far though.

Well, Sheila, The Socceroos have made it!

But only just.

Why on earth did they leave it so late?

Hello Bryan,

I don't think leaving it late was intentional, things just happen, or
don't happen as the case may be.
I watched it on TV this morning 3am to 5am (23rd June) so I am still a
bit weary. (It is 11.40pm now)

Bryan, 

You have been gracious enough to disregard the fact that my crystal
ball doesn't seem to be accurate :

"WA - RB: Germany-England or Germany-Sweden." ---> on the spot

"WC - RD: Argentina-Mexico" ---> on the spot.

But...
WE - RF: Italy-Croatia  ---> Hey, the soccaroos have made it! (and
given how badly the Italians have played, it is not totally unlikely
that they'll beta them).

WG - RH: France-Ukraine ---> again, totally wrong. The French played
really merde. So it Switzerland against the Ukraine, in what seems a
funny 1/8 final: none of the teams is really huge worldwide.

"WB - RA: Sweden/England - Poland-Ticos. I see here a fair chance, if
England comes in first, that they will be kicked by the Poles. After
all, there are two Poles on Earth." ----> was I wrong or was I totally
mistaken? The two Poles couldn't even come in second (OK, two Poles
and eleven Germans).

WD - RC: like the opposite match

WF - RE: Brazil will win, no matter who's against it (Ghana, US or the Czech). 

"WH - RG: Spain or Ukraine will kick Korea's bottom." Wrong again. It
will be Spain-France. Interesting outcome, isn't it?

****

And now the updated prediction for the 1/4 finals (only to see me eat
my hat again):

Germany - Argentine

Italy - Ukraine 

England - Netherlands/Portugal 

Brazil - Spain/France

Many thanks for the update, Polly

But I'm not sure about England beating Ecuador ...

Tomorrow could be Goodbye England day.

Let's see.

Bryan

Yes, indeed, it is all now fixed to let Ecuador beat England, chosen
because there will be relatively few Ecuadorian fans, so they can be
more easily protected from rabid English.

For those of you who don't know, the best Poles  - Polish born - 
players in the competition are Klose and Pudolski, attackers for the
German team, P with 3 goals and K with 4 to date.

Congratulations so far to Poly-guru, a surprisingly soccer savvy
little female academician!  Tell us, do you have schwarz-rot-gold wig,
or just a World Cup jersey to show your allegiance to the German side?

Congratulations to Italy.

Good try Australia.

I think I have almost recovered from that brief bout of Socceritis.

I am going to have to talk to the referee of the England-Ecuador game.
 He  obviously didn't understand his instructions  - or someone else
got to him.
He was suppose to send off an English player.
(Quite obviously, the referee for the Aussie-Italian game did
understand his  - whether from the FIFA or that devious bunch south of
the Alps.)

I'll lay it on him after my church choir sings to entertain a dinner
for all the refs hosted by Beckenbauer and co. tomorrow here (German
"folk" songs and a Bach choral.  Will they care?).

Well Germany beat Argentina but, by far, the best part was the punch-up afterwards.

And did I see Polyguru mixing in with the fisticuffs?

If we don't hear from her for a few weeks, I fear the worst.

Imagine the Headlines ...

'Leading GA Researcher jailed'

No, I haven't still gotten over the awful referees in the Ghana-Brazil
match. There have been several cases of the referee not supporting the
just Ghanian cause - Ronaldo acting out in the 11 meter, for example.
As if the referees have worn a yellow trikot (which is what the
Ghanian coach actually said).

It's all suddenly very clear to me - The "Boys from Brazil" win in
Germany. Really!
<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077269/>

Future predictions: 

Germany - Italy : Germany, of course. 

Brazil - England : who would have imagined that they'll get as far as
the semi-finals? But the conspiracy (see above) will beat them. Unless
they'll have Laurence Olivier instead of Mrs. Beckham (by the way, the
German tabloid Bild claims, that the reason he'd gotten sick on the
field is that he's pregnant, as it could happen to metrosexuals).

NO petit females in the mix-up after the game.  Besides, I thought
Poly-guru just had a ticket to the final match.
I was mistaken about that dinner:  it was hosted by the State of Hesse
with the D. Fußballbund.  Quite a bunch of fit +/- 40 year-olds  -
except for the state's minister for the interior.

I recommend the following activities in England when England are playing.
Go shopping. Very quite. The best time to go.
A walk in the park/seafront/forest - not a soul around. No sound of traffic.
Drive around the M25 - you'll never find it quieter.
Visit a museum or art gallery - have the place to yourself.
I'm torn between wishing the whole damn thing finish asap, or put up
with it and enjoy the above.

Sorry, I should have signed off with, yours truly, Mr Grumpy.

Doh, France-Portugal.

Anyone except for me's happy that the Brazilians got it? 

Three cheers to Laurence Olivier!

Yes, me, and quite a few that were watching the big screen in my town
(but not some disgruntled Brazil jersey wearers).  I saw just the last
8 minutes of the match.

Didn't I predict that England would lose!  And in Gelsenkirchen  -
where's that?  Rooney sent off  - but he did deserve it.  Obviously,
someone put something in Beckham's food.  (Clever, that; hadn't
occurred to me as way to fix things.)
For lack of Beckham and Rooney, the English lost the final shootout.
Everything is going according to plan A.

Interesting point in today's paper:  some of the lower seats are in
the stadia are occupied by German referees at the amateur level to
help avoid persons running out on the field.  (Can't have any
streakers on US tv, even if some of the matches would have been
enlivened by a little more audience participation.)

You know my views by now on football (see above). However, from what I
have seen and read so far on how the tournament has been organised and
the enthusiam of the hosts, my vote goes to Germany. Good luck.

Sorry, Mr Grumpy, but Polly will not be Molly-fied quite so easily.

Me? I now wish I'd followed your advice because you were 5 Star Right, as usual.

Frings's being banned from the game against Italy, and the way it was
handled  - reopening the case and announcing the bann so late -  could
be construed as another step in "fixing".  Admittedly, the match
itself was fair; none of the Italians' acting resulting in a goal, and
both of them were truly excellent.

Out of curiousity, I checked how often the host team was in the final
match of past World Cup competitions:  less often than I thought  - 8
out of 18 competitions.

Auf Wiedersehen Germany!

I reckon that Mr Grumpy put the mockers on them with his supporting Comment.

Now, Polly will NEVER forgive him.

Right, Polly?

Despite my expressions of disbelief in Germany's ability to reach
anywhere at the beginning of this answer, I - too - was influenced by
all the media hype. Yes, I am sad :-(

I must admit though that the Italians played wonderfully and were so
full of spirit. These two goals were fantastic.

And at least Coca Cola Germany, with their stupid ads, got what they deserved. 

So, Italy against whom? France? Portugal? I do hope France because I like Zidane.

Congratulations to Italy.

This question expired on 2 Jul 06, yet I am still able to post a comment.

Spooky.

Hi There Sheila

Good to hear from you again.

Generally, Questions that have been Answered remain open for Comments
after their Expiry Date, unlike Questions that have not been Answered
- but I have seen Expired Unanswered Questions where post-Expiry
Comments have been accepted.

Not at all spooky in this case but perfectly OK.

BTW I did see your Comments on the Lottery thing: you did a great job!

However, I am very worried about another Sheila - stressedmum-ga - the
last we heard was that she was setting off for a holiday in England &
Ireland but she appears to have dropped off the face of the earth. No
word now for yonks.

Please investigate the Land of Oz and don't stop until she reappears.

Many thanks

Worried of Hove

A little housekeeping:
Questions that are cancelled/closed by the poster are no longer
available for comments.  After 12 months, all questions are closed to
comments, but apparently older answered and unaswered question are
still open for Clarifications.

Footie/Soccer:  In the end, the refs ganged up against Italy for the
scandal there that cast aspersions on the whole profession.   NO
doubt, the system has been undermined for some years, which leads me
to believe that (some) players in the Italian league have become
expert "divers", as it appeared in some slo-mo replays.  They had to
provide a scene that could be considered a serious penalty.

Pity about Zidane.  I wonder what the Italian told him ...

Great question, Bryan, one of several.  :)  Myo

I have just joined Email Cash in Australia and they have a pretty
extensive forum, which anyone can look at.

I will post a topic there to look for stressedmum-ga there.

Cheers

Yoohoo! Over here! I'm back! I've been back a couple of weeks now and
had the most wonderful, lovely trip to Ingland (fab weather and lots
of flags everywhere), Iceland (brilliant! Golden Circle tour was
terrific) Ireland (ah, to be sure) and Italy (too beautiful for
words). Jet lag to this part of the planet is a force to be reckoned
with though! Bryan, I even drove through Oldham! I mentioned your name
in various establishments and doors miraculously opened for me,
services were proffered and they spoke of you in hushed, reverent
tones.

With very fortunate timing, I departed Italy just before the Italia vs
Socceroos match. The restaurant we ate at most nights had the tv on,
of course, and the waiters were very generous about Australia's
chances. I even gave our favourite waiter, an absolute champ called
Daniel, a little kangaroo lapel pin (I don't leave home without 'em)
and he promised that he would make Australia his second team. I think
he might be feeling rather pleased at the outcome.

It's lovely to be back and I'll have a good read through what's been
happening over the last few weeks and catch up. Hope everyone's hale
and hearty. Cheers, intrepid, relaxed mum.

Wow, Stressedmum, 

We were getting worried for you ... It's great to have you back and,
as you will soon find out, we've now got yet another Sheila on board.

I think that she's from Perth but then nobody's perfect.

I've got a piccy somewhere of me with the Prime Minister of Western
Australia (taken in Perth) and - Guess what? - he was a really nice
guy.

Adonis
(Sometimes also known as PB)