I predict that there is a 25% chance that the finals will have two Spanish teams, a 25% chance that the finals will have two German teams, a 50% chance that there will be one Spanish team and one German team, and a 0% chance that there will be an English team.
This assumes that CO2 remains constant over the next few days.
CO2 levels will fall over the next few days. Northern Hemisphere is waking up from its long winter sleep and consuming CO2 like crazy.
Even when there is an English team in the final – there ain’t much English about the team.
I know little about the sport, so I give you this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312577/Liverpool-v-Chelsea-Luis-Suarez-appears-bite-Branislav-Ivanovic-Premier-League-match.html
England is often overated as a good soccer nation. Certainly they invented the game and are fanatico like any other soccer nation, but they never show up at the world cup.
This is normally attributed to the gruelling league and FA cup season and the league team being more important than the nation team.
All reasonable arguments; but also perhaps not learning from the foreigners. The way the Spanish play is like a pin-ball machine, almost undefeatable. The British teams still play run-up-the-sides and center the ball with a long pass in hope. It is a) so predictable and b) boring. Yes, it is a useful tactic, but not a strategy.
I notice the Spanish always have a triangle of three players around any opponent with the ball – meaning there are two opponents not marked. However, opponents do not do the Spanish thing and have two other players in support, in a triangle. The surrounded opponent has not been trained in situational awareness – where and how can I pass this ball.
Writing this, I see the name for the Spanish style should be “triangular”. Spurs in the early 1960s were successful because they adopted a new technique of kick-upfield-and-run.
It’s time England moved on from Hope to Glory!
I predict Suarez will test positive for rabies…..
But after suitable Hansenlike adjustments to historical scores, there will now be five English teams in the semi finals.
“… after suitable Hansenlike adjustments to historical scores …”
True, but after adjusting the historical scores with carbon credits for reusable grocery store bags the balance will tip back to the Germans. Also, it may create a stunning opportunity for a Boulder team.
Just what I thought, Paul. I ran my model for a proxy match between Manchester United and Boulder’s coed Bad Karma (with credit adjustments). Bad Karma won 3-2. And wait what will happen after all the results are in and UEFA’s Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee does a reanalysis.
Time to acknowledge Man Utd as EPL Champions having won the title more time than all other clubs put together.
As soon as Fergie stops chewing gum.