You're 2014 Zla Dupki World Cup Champion Is...

After a long and hard fought tournament, we finally have our champion.

The last two matches of the World Cup went like this:

Brazil 0:3 Netherlands
Germany 1:0 Argentina

Artifex: Brazil 2:1 England
              Germany 1:0 Russia  *
Ferrarius: Ghana 0:1 Australia
                 Italy 2:1 Germany
IoannesNix: England 3:1 Argentina
                     Germany 2:1 Italy
Musicus: France 1:2 Italy
                Brazil 1:3 Argentina
Praeceptor: Germany 3:2 Spain
                   Brazil 2:1 Argentina
Scriptor: Brazil 2:1 Argentina
               Germany 1:0 Spain *


Final Standings:

73/12

67/11

64/10

60/15

54/7

41/8




A third place finish for Musicus. A runners-up finish for Scriptor. The first, and reigning, Zla Dupki World Cup champion is PRAECEPTOR!!!!  Congratulations contestant. Job Well Done!!!!!

The Top Three bonus point getters were:

3)Scriptor 11
2)Praeceptor 12
1) Artifex 15

Congratulations Artifex. In the FIFA World Cup, the top goalscorer wins the Golden Boot. The Zla Dupki World Cup has the Golden Oracle which is a trophy presented to the player with the most Bonus Points. Congratulations Artifex!!!!!

In the coming weeks you will all be invited for a get together to award the financial prize to the winner. Please keep your eyes out for that notification.

Until then, this is the Grand Salmon Alpaca wishing you all a good night.

South America vs Europe Doubleheader

 

It's official, both the final and the third place playoff will be contested by a European team against a South American team. The hosts Brazil will play against Netherlands for third place. The Championship will be contested by Germany and Argentina.

As such, the current standings are intriguing.

Netherlands 0(2)-0(4) Argentina

Praeceptor: Spain 2:3 Argentina   Argentina
Musicus: Italy 1:3 Argentina   Argentina
Scriptor: Spain 1:0 Argentina
Artifex: England 0:1 Russia
IoannesNix: Italy 3:1 Argentina
Ferrarius: Australia 0:1 Germany   Germany


STANDINGS:

68/11

63/10

58/10

52/12

50/7

41/8





As such, the standings show that this contest comes down to 2 contestants. Praeceptor is heavily favored to win. The only contestant capable of toppling Praeceptor is Musicus. However, in order to do so, Netherlands must win against Brazil 2-1, and Argentina must defeat Germany 3-1. This will give Musicus 70 points while Praeceptor will finish with 68. Other scenarios see Praeceptor and Musics finishing tied on points, in which case the tie-breaking procedures indicate Praeceptor would win. Congratulations contestants. Saturday will be very interesting.


As a side note, the TSzAL will host the 2016 European Championship Fantasy tournament. There is a long time to go before that happens. Qualifiers for the tournament won't start until this September. In a voting fashion, will the players please say yea or no to a new idea.

The Proposal:
Each player wishing to play will be presented with each of the qualifying groups. By picking who you believe will qualify from each group you can earn bonus points that will be applied to the playoff rounds of the final tournament. If voted into play, more instructions will be revealed.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

It's Not a Playoff Until The Home Team Loses

 

It was a tough day for Brazil as they fell out of World Cup Contention thanks to a strong showing by Germany. They started strong until Germany started scoring. And they did score a lot. Thomas Muller opened up the scoring in the 11th minute. After that, it went something like this: Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos twice, and Sami Khedira in a span of 7 minutes. Andre Schurlle scored twice in the second half before Oscar would strike one for Brazil in the 90th minute. Adding to the heartbreak was Miroslav Klose scoring his 16 career goal in World Cups, that's the most ever passing Brazil's Ronaldo. Losing is never easy. Losing at home when your fans expect you to win, that's a tragedy.

Brazil 1:7 Germany

Praeceptor: Brazil 3:1 Germany
Musicus: Brazil 2:1 France
Scriptor: Brazil 0:1 Germany    Germany
Artifex: Brazil 0:1 Germany   Germany
IoannesNix: England 2:3 Germany   Germany
Ferrarius: Italy 1:0 Ghana

STANDINGS:

65/12

60/10

58/10

53/12

51/6

30/8






The Grand Salmon Alpaca

GIR Gone Wild

Notice to All Contestants!

GIR has gotten loose and made a real meal of the playoffs. They are abolished!!!!!! That means every contestant is back in the running to win the championship.  Yellow cards are wiped clean, you start anew with cautions. Here, indeed, are the new, updated standings.

GIR Gone Wild!

64/11

58/10

55/9

48/11

47/6

30/8




 The Grand Salmon Alpaca Has Spoken!!!!

South America and Europe: Onto the Finals!

With the US bowing out in the last round, Costa Rica and Argentina would form a new American alliance to try to topple team Europe consisting of Belgium and Netherlands. The opening match saw Argentina, who hasn't been dominating the way their fans would like, take on a Belgian team that many picked as a darkhorse, but have left their results to late moments in their games. It only took one goal to decide this match, and that was Gonzalo Higuan's 8th minute goal. And like that, Argentina are through the semifinals while Belgium wonder what could have been. Unfortunately for Argentina, they lose a key player as Angel Di Maria is out of this tournament with injury.

With the win, team America was up 1-0 on Europe. Costa Rica, the minnows who have surprised everyone, had the difficult task of facing a tough Netherlands team. However, they brought enough fight to force this game to extra time and eventually penalty kicks. A tricky goaltender substitution for Netherlands proved to be the right move as Netherlands would outlast Costa Rica on pk's 4-3. Only four teams remain in the World Cup, and our contest dwindles down to 2 finalists.

Argentina 1:0 Belgium
Netherlands 0(4):0(3) Costa Rica

Musicus: Argentina 2:1 Belgium   Argentina
                Netherlands 1:3 Italy
 Scriptor: Argentina 1:0 Belgium    Belgium *
                Spain 2:1 Italy
Artifex: Argentina 1:2 Russia
             Spain 0:1 England
Praeceptor:  Argentina 3:2 Portugal    Argentina
                    Spain 2:1 Uruguay
IoannesNix: Argentina 1:0 Portugal   Argentina
                    Spain 1:2 Italy
Ferrarius: Switzerland 1:2 Germany   Germany
                 Australia 2:0 Uruguay   Netherlands
Quis Digno: Argentina
                     Costa Rica

For having more correct picks than Quis Digno, Scriptor and Praeceptor have earned a bonus point each. Also, both Revenge of the Fifth bonus points go to Praeceptor.

Semifinals of Quarterfinals:

7/6
3/4 Picks

6/12
3/4 Picks


________Relegation Zone________

5/7
2/4 Picks

3/8
2/4 Picks






Revenge of the Fifth:

3/6
2/4 Picks

2/5
2/4 Picks

2/4 Picks






The player of this round had 3 of 4 correct picks and picked up a bonus by correctly picking Argentina to beat Belgium by a score of 1-0.  Congratulations contestant Scriptor. Here is your Gonzalo Higuan self point.

 The breakdown of the tournament goes as such: Fifth place continues to be a battle between IoannesNix and Ferrarius. Musicus and Artifex have been bumped from the championship and compete for third place. The championship will be contested by Praeceptor and Scriptor. Good Luck to all.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Mr. Rogers Would be so Disappointed.

France and Germany teamed up to send Africa packing from the tournament. Sometimes partners can turn on each other. Especially when they're neighboring countries who have a tense history with one another. While the jokes may abound that France would just part the way and leave the Germans unchallenged as they charged forward, it wasn't a total Germany walkover. Though Mats Hummels scored in the 13th minute, France did press forward with their own attacks. The magic just wasn't happening for them today, and Les Bleus will be going home. Germany moves on to face the winner of Brazil and Colombia.

Speaking of neighbors that don't get along, Brazil and Colombia are fierce rivals in the footballing world. Colombia has never beaten Brazil in a meaningful match, and never period in Brazil. The pressure was on, and though Brazil struck first in the 7th minute via Thiago Silva, they never looked to put Colombia away. In fact, the start of the second half saw Colombia star to come together. Unfortunately, a David Luiz free kick in the 69th minute made it 2-0. This only stirred Colombia into fiercer action. A penalty kick by James Rodriguez in the 80th minute made it a one goal game. Colombia pressed harder, but Brazil succeeded in winning the game. And the victor of the South American Fatal Fourway is Brazil. They will meet Germany in the semifinals.

France 0:1 Germany
Brazil 2:1 Colombia

Praeceptor: Nigeria 1:2 Germany   Germany
                   Brazil 3:2 Italy   Brazil
Musicus: France 3:2 Germany
                Brazil 2:1 Uruguay   Brazil
Scriptor: Germany 3:1 France   Germany
               Brazil 1:0 England   Brazil
Artifex: Switzerland 1:2 Germany   Germany
              Brazil 2:1 Greece   Brazil
IoannesNix: Switzerland 1:4 Germany   Germany
                    Brazil 2:3 England
Ferrarius: France 1:2 Ghana
                 Spain 1:2 Italy
Quis Digno: Germany
                     Colombia

Semifinals of Quarterfinals:

3/6
1/4 Picks

3/4    YC
2/4 Picks




_____________________Relegation Zone_____________________

3/8
2/4 Picks

2/9    YC
2/4 Picks




Revenge of the Fifth:

1/5
1/4 Picks

0/6    YC
0/4 Picks

1/4 Picks









Halfway through the semifinals. One day left before we know who battles for third, and who battles for the championship.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Revenge of the Fifth Bonus!

As the Semifinals of Quarterfinals continues, a note must be made. The contestants battling for 5th place get their revenge. Each contestant, IoannesNix and Ferrarius, have a bonus point that they may give to any of the four remaining contestants vying for the championship. IoannesNix and Ferrarius, may you choose wisely and swiftly. You may still bring balance or destruction to the force!

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Revenge of the Fifth on the Fourth

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. You will all be celebrating your nation's independence day. You will also begin the next stage of this tournament. Ferrarius and IoannesNix will be battling for 5th and 6th places. Currently, Ferrarius only has one remaining pick. IoannesNix has two picks. To even things out, not only do both contestants start with 0 points, but Ferrarius will be granted the Socceroo Switcharoo. Ferrarius boldly predicted for Australia to win the group, and progress to the third place play-off which they would win. In reality, Netherlands won that slot. From here on out, Ferrarius's pick of Australia will be replaced by Netherlands. If Netherlands wins, then Ferrarius will gain the point. Other changes may take shape as needed. Good Luck contestants.

The four other contestants will all go back to 0 points as well. Four matches remain to determine which two players will battle for third, and which two will battle for the championship. Here is a rule change that affects everyone, including the fifth place playoff. From now on, bonus points will be handed out for predicting the correct score to a game. That is to say, if you don't have Brazil facing Colombia as the next match you can still gain a point. Let's say you have Mexico facing Japan. In this case if Mexico is in Brazil's spot and Brazil wins 2:1, then a prediction where Mexico wins 2:1 will count as a bonus point.

Once again, if a contestant scores more picks than Quis Digno they will gain another bonus point. Unfortunately, this may get harder as each round Quis Digno starts with all the correct teams.

More bonus points will be revealed. Keep your eyes open.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Team Americas, Unite.

 

We've seen the South American battle fizzle down from four teams to two. We've seen Europe vs North America come down to a battle of Netherlands and Costa Rica. We've seen Europe eliminate Africa in tag team fashion. Yesterday it came down to a united American (North and South) contingency facing another European tag team. In the first match, Argentina prevailed against a Swiss team that kept things very close. It took extra time for Angel Di Maria to score the game winner in the 118th minute. Just like that, team America took an early lead.

The second match saw a highly touted Belgian team face off against an amped up American side. This one had it's moments where the US could have won, but sadly, in extra time, Belgium found the net twice before America could get one. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku would score in the 93rd and 105th minutes. Julian Green would strike back in the 107th minute, but it wouldn't be enough. As a result, Belgium and Argentina will settle this battle and fight for a slot in the semifinals.

Argentina 1:0 Switzerland
Belgium 2:1 USA

Scriptor: Argentina 3:0 Switzerland   Argentina
               Belgium 1(4):1(3) Ghana   Belgium
Artifex: Argentina 2:1 France   Argentina
              Russia 2:1 Portugal
Praeceptor: Argentina 2:0 Ecuador   Argentina
                   Belgium 0:1 Portugal
Musicus: Argentina 2:1 Ecuador   Argentina
               Belgium 2:1 Ghana   Belgium
IoannesNix: Argentina 2:0 Ecuador   Argentina
                    Korea 0:1 Portugal
Ferrarius: Argentina 1:2 Switzerland
                 Belgium 1:2 Germany
Quis Digno: Argentina                  
                     USA

For identifying three of the four Team Americas vs Team Europe participants, contestant Ferrarius has been awarded a bonus point.

Also, since everyone picked more quarterfinalists than Quis Digno, we will not be adding the bonus points. It will have no impact on the ratings, so we reserve this feature for the next round.

STANDINGS:

9/4    YC
5/8 Picks

7/8
3/8 Picks

6/6
6/8 Picks

5/9    YC
3/8 Picks


__________________Relgated________________

5/5
3/8 Picks

3/5    YC
2/8 Picks

1/8 Picks








Picking up three points today, en route to finishing the 2nd round in first place, Scriptor is today's player of the day. Here is your Tim Howard save.

Contestants IoannesNix and Ferrarius have been eliminated from championship play. They will now face off for 5th and 6th place. Do not fret contestants. Your battle is about to get interesting.

Scriptor, Artifex, Musicus, and Praeceptor, you are about to enter the Semfinals of Quarterfinals. As the world watches the 8 remaining nations whittle down to four, you will be trying to bump each other off for two spots in the championship.

Everyone, stay tuned for an update. Some of the rules are about to change, because nothing here is simple.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca.