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.

Don't Put All Your Gerias In One Basket

We have the South American Fatal Fourway quadrant. We have the Europe vs North America quadrant, currently tied at one a piece. Yesterday we saw the Europe vs Africa quadrant. For starters France took on Nigeria. The reigning African Champions were up for the battle and gave France plenty of scares. It all came together in the 79th minute when Paul Pogba opened up the scoring giving France the lead. Joseph Yobo would score in the closing moments, but the Nigerian would put the ball in his own net. As a result, France would advance 2-0, and the Super Eagles came crashing out of the tournament.


The second match would see Germany face Algeria. Though the Germans dominated possession, Algeria went 90 minutes without giving up a goal. Andre Schurlle scored in the 92 minute giving Germany a lead. Mesut Ozil would score a second German goal in the 120th minute. Abdelmoumene Djabou would score in injury time to put Algeria one back, but it wouldn't be enough when the whistle blew. Just like that both African countries have been eliminated. France and Germany will meet in the quarterfinals.

France 2:0 Nigeria
Germany 2:1 Algeria

Praeceptor: Switzerland 0:1 Nigeria
                   Germany 2:1 Russia   Germany
IoannesNix: Switzerland 1:0 Nigeria
                     Germany 3:1 Russia   Germany
Musicus: France 3:0 Bosnia and Herzegovina   France
               Germany 2:0 Korea   Germany
Scriptor: France 2:0 Nigeria   France *
               Germany 3:1 South Korea   Germany
Artifex: Switzerland 2:0 Nigeria
              Germany 2:1 Algeria   Germany *
Ferrarius: France 3:1 Nigeria   France
                Ghana 3:2 South Korea    Germany
Quis Digno: Nigeria
                    Algeria

For being the only contestant to pick both Algeria and Nigeria to battle in yesterday's games, Artifex has been awarded the team Geria bonus point.

STANDINGS:

6/4   YC
3/8 Picks

6/8
2/8 Picks

4/9    YC
2/8 Picks

4/6
4/8 Picks




_______________Relegation Zone_____________

4/5
2/8 Picks

2/5   YC
2/8 Picks

0/8 Picks









Today's player of the day picked up 4 points, and 2 bonus points. Congratulations Artifex. You are the player of the day. Here is your Mesut Ozil thumbs up.

 

 

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Second Round Shakeup

After yesterday's dreadful performance by the group, we here at the TSzAL feel that the exciting stage of the tournament is falling flat thus far. As a result, the committee has decided to retroactively award some bonus points.

The top quadrant of the group has been named the South American Fatal Fourway. Contestants IoannesNix and Praeceptor called three of the four in the fatal fourway. Had they called all four, they would receive four bonus points. As is, we are awarding each one bonus point.

The second quadrant to have played features Netherlands, in a pretty much walk through portion of the playoffs. Costa Rica have been a delight this tournament, and even Oranje Generaal is excited at the prospect of his team facing the Ticos. One contestant was wearing his official Costa Rica jersey yesterday. For being a fan of the little guys, Scriptor has been awarded a bonus point.

The updated standings look like this:

3/9   YC
1/8 Picks

3/5
1/8 Picks

2/6
2/8 Picks

2/3    YC
1/8 Picks






-----------------Relegation Zone------------------

2/6
1/8 Picks

0/5     YC
0/8 Picks



The Grand Salmon Alpaca has spoken!

Nether Have I Ether

If the first Quadrant of the second round is the South American fatal fourway, then this quadrant must surely be the "Who does Netherlands have to steamroll" quadrant. Let's face it, the pundits figure that Netherlands would have an easy time beating Mexico, and then have to face Greece or Costa Rica. It only gets easier here. But, Mexico had other plans. In the 48th minute, Giovani Dos Santos put El Tri up 1-0. It was a lead they would hold most of the game. Unfortunately, you have to hold the lead until the final whistle. In the 88th minute the game would break down when Wesley Sneijder tied the game. A clumsy challenge in extra time gave Klaas Jan Huntelaar a penalty kick that he would convert for the win. Just like that Mexican dreams were dashed, Dutch dreams live on, and Oranje could have their eyes set on the semifinals.

For Greece, this was their first trip to the World Cup past the group stages. For Costa Rica, it was only their second. That, however, was a long time ago. The Costa Rican Avengers showed up big in the first two games to give wins over Uruguay and Italy. They dozed off in a 0-0 draw with England, but now had the chance to do something remarkable. Team Captain Bryan Ruiz would step forward and score a goal in the 52nd minute. This was the start Costa Rica needed, but a second yellow card in the 66th minute saw Oscar Duarte removed from the game, and Los Ticos were down to ten men. In stoppage time, Greece found the answer they needed in a goal by Sokratis Papastathopoulos and the game would finish tied. Extra time couldn't decide it, and penalty kicks were made. A Kaylor Navas save on Theofanis Gekas's shot would set up a win for Costa Rica. After all the exhaustion, Costa Rica have won the right to face Netherlands. Celebrate now, for this is no easy task.

Netherlands 2:1 Mexico
Costa Rica 1(5):1(3) Greece

Artifex: Spain 2:1 Mexico
              England 1:0 Cote D'Ivoire
IoannesNix: Spain 2:1 Mexico
                     Italy 3:2 Japan
Praeceptor: Spain 2:1 Mexico
                   Uruguay 2:1 Japan
Musicus: Netherlands 4:0 Coatia   Netherlands
                Italy 2:1 Japan
Scriptor: Spain 2:1 Mexico
               Italy 1:0 Cote D'Ivoire
Ferrarius: Australia 2:1 Cameroon
                Uruguay 3:2 Colombia
Quis Digno: Mexico
                    Greece

STANDINGS:

2/8    YC
1/8 Picks

2/6
2/8 Picks

2/4
1/8 Picks

2/6
1/8 Picks






_________________________________Relegation Zone________________________________

1/2    YC
1/8 Picks

0/5     YC
0/8 Picks

0/8 Picks






Only one player received a point today. As a result, Musicus is the player of the day. Congratulations contestant. The only player to stop a penalty kick today was Keylor Navas. Here is your Navas PK save.

We are halfway through the second round. Just four games over two days remain. It is a low scoring affair, and Scriptor and Ferrarius look to be making the earliest of exits. Good Luck to all players. 

The Grand Salmon Alapca

South American Fatal Fourway

 
Brazil opened up the World Cup with a game against Croatia. They opened up the second round against Chile. In a tough match up that had it's share of physical challenges, Brazil sent the fans into a frenzy as David Luiz scored in the 18th minute. In the 32nd minute Alexis Sanchez would tie the game for Chile, and the stadium seemed to deflate. The rest of the match remained tense as 90 minutes could not decide a winner. Extra time failed to do so as well. This game went to penalty kicks, where Brazil edged out Chile 3-2. For Chile, this is the second straight World Cup where they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Brazil. Ironically, it was four years ago to the day, but once again Brazil bested their South American opponents.

The South American Fatal Fourway continued with Colombia facing Uruguay. For La Celeste, they were entering the game without their best player. Luis Suarez has been banned by FIFA for 4 months, and 9 matches with Uruguay. You could tell that this hurt the team. Colombia came out and took the lead in the 28th minute via James Rodriguez. He would go on and seal the win scoring a second goal in the 50th minute. Just like that, Uruguay go home to hang out with Luis, and Colombia get set to battle Brazil for a spot in the semifinals. Very quickly the South American teams are being eliminated. Three teams remain as Argentina still has to play. One thing is for sure, another team will be gone come the next round. Will Brazil be the only South American team remaining?

Brazil 1(3):1(2) Chile
Colombia 2:0 Uruguay

Artifex: Brazil 2:1 Chile  Brazil
              Greece 1:0 Italy
Ferrarius: Mexico 1: Spain 3
                Japan 1:2 Italy
IoannesNix: Brazil 2:1 Chile   Brazil
                    Colombia 1:3 England
Musicus: Brazil 5:0 Spain   Brazil
                Cote D'Ivoire 0:2 Uruguay 
Praeceptor: Brazil 2:1 Chile   Brazil
                   Colombia 0:2 Italy
Scriptor: Brazil 2:1 Netherlands   Brazil
               Colombia 0:1 England
Quis Digno: Chile
                     Uruguay

STANDINGS:

2/6
1/2 Picks

2/4
1/2 Picks

2/8    YC
1/2 Picks

1/6
1/2 Picks




--------------------------------------------Relegation Zone----------------------------------------------------------

1/2    YC
1/2 Picks

0/5    YC
0/2 Picks

0/2







Today's player of the day finished off the first round in 6th place, but today has jumped into a three way tie for first. It's the right foot to get off on for the knockout rounds. Congratulations Artifex. You are today's player of the day. Here is your James Rodriguez fist pump.

Tomorrow the knockout stage continues with two more matches. We'll be halfway through the second round. Good luck to all.

The Grand Salmon Alapaca

I, For One, Welcome Our New Viking Baby Overlord!

Good morning contestants,

I hope you are all enjoying this one day break in the tournament. It gives you time to think of other things. However, there are some rules for the second round that need to be discussed.

Saturday the 28th of June, at noon, Brazil and Chile kick off the second round. They leave behind the points they've earned in the group stage and will battle for a win any way they can. The winner moves on, the loser goes home. That is the beauty of the World Cup. You can put the group behind you and focus on beating your opponent on the field.

As such, all contestants should know, that your points all go back to 0. That's right. You are all on level pegging once again. The second round will stand alone, and the top four contestants according to the points you earn in this round move on to the semi-finals. Everyone goes back to 0. The bottom two contestants will face each other for the rest of the tournament to determine 5th and 6th place. The four of you to advance to the semi-finals will have only the Quarterfinal round of the cup to earn enough points to make it to the championship. The top two teams move on, while the bottom two will face off for third place. Again, everyone returns to 0. The third place playoff will consist of both semifinal matches, the 3rd place playoff, and the championship. So will the championship. After which, our Zla Dupki 2014 World Cup Champion will be crowned.

How does one score in the knockout stages? Good question. The round kicks off with Brazil and Chile. Anyone to have predicted that matchup will get a point. Guess the correct score for the game, and you earn a bonus point. But, what if you don't have the correct matchups? Do not fret. Primarily you are trying to guess the correct teams to advance to the next round. For every correct quarterfinalist that you predict, you get a point. The next round, for every semifinalist you have correctly picked, you get a point. So on and so on.

These are the last, and hardest levels. Like the end of any good game, you have to face off against a boss. In this game, that boss is Quis Digno, better known as the Viking Baby Overlord. VBO will start off with a completely correct bracket. VBO will pick which teams advance. In any given round, if you can pick more winners than VBO, you win a bonus point.

I know what you're thinking, "but Grand Salmon Alpaca, what was the point of earning all those points in the first round?" Here is the deal. In the event of a tie, particularly where two players are fighting for one spot in the next round, or if the championship is tied after all matches have been played, the tie breaking procedure begins with who had more points in round 1. As a result, Praeceptor has the easiest path to the title. This contestant must simply remain out of the bottom two in the first, and second rounds, and then tie in the championship to win.

Anything can happen. Every contestant has a chance to move on and win. The fate of your brackets rests in the skills and tactics of the teams still to play on the field. Good luck to all.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca

Mega Breakdown.

 

While the US battled Germany, Portugal and Ghana were trying to keep their World Cup alive. Both teams needed the US to lose, and play for a big win. Ghana scored first by putting the ball into their own net. John Boye's own goal in the 31st minute gave Portugal the lead. Asamoah Gyan's 57th minute equalizer was cause for the US to worry. But Portugal's magic man Cristiano Ronaldo would give them their only win in the tournament. His 80th minute goal brought both teams the news that they were leaving Brazil and heading home.

Germany and the US only needed a draw to both advance. Neither team was having it. The rain was coming down as though Brazil had won the rain lottery. It literally was making it rain in rain. A 55th minute strike by Thomas Muller gave Germany the win and first place in the group. They will go on to play the Group H runner up, while the US will take on the Group H winner.

 

Group H's winner was decided when Jan Vertonghen scored in the 78th minute over Korea. The win moves Belgium on while knocking Korea out of the tournament.

Group H's runner up was decided in a close game between Algeria and Russia. The Russian's needed a win to advance, and took the lead in the 6th minute off of Alexander Kokorin's goal. In the 60th minute Islam Slimani would bail out Algeria with the tying goal. At 1-1, Russia was off to pack bags, while Algeria celebrated their best performance at a World Cup in a long time, and set to prepare for Germany.

Portugal 2:1 Ghana
USA 0:1 Germany
Korea 0:1 Belgium
Algeria 1:1 Russia

Praeceptor: Portugal 2:0 Ghana
                   USA 1:2 Germany
                   Korea 0:1 Belgium *
                   Algeria 1:2 Russia
Musicus: Portugal 0:1 Ghana
                USA 1:3 Germany
                Korea 1:2 Belgium
                Algeria 1:1 Russia *
Ferrarius: Portugal 1:2 Ghana
                 USA 0:0 Germany
                 Korea 1:2 Belgium
                 Algeria 3:0 Russia
IoannesNix: Portugal 2:0 Ghana
                     USA 1:3 Germany
                     Korea 2:0 Belgium
                     Algeria 1:3 Russia
Scriptor: Portugal 0:0 Ghana
               USA 0:2 Germany
               Korea 2:3 Belgium
               Algeria 0:2 Russia
Artifex: Portugal 2:1 Ghana *
              USA 0:3 Germany
              Korea 1:0 Belgium
              Algeria 1:2 Russia

Group G Standings:

Scriptor: 5/1
Artifex: 4/1
IoannesNix: 4/0
Musicus: 3/0
Praeceptor: 3/0
Ferrarius: 1/0

Group H Standings:

Musicus: 6/1
Praeceptor: 6/3
Ferrarius: 3/0
Scriptor: 3/0
IoannesNix: 1/0
Artifex: 0/0

STANDINGS:

37/8     YC

32/6

26/2     YC

26/4

25/5     YC

24/6

???????






Todays player of the day finished strong. Another four points, one from bonus, continued on for Praeceptor who finished the first round correctly picking 60% of the games. Today's final run was another great performance. You are today's player of the day. Here is your Islam Slimani kiss of the finger.

 

 The Grand Salmon Alpaca