A Proper Semifinal.

 

A proper semifinal is used to determine the last two competitors for a championship. Just so, our semifinal round has produced two players who are vying for the TSzAL 2016 European Championship. With just a point between them, it looks like 2nd place Musicus has the advantage. If France wins, so does Musicus. If Portugal or France score 2 goals, Musicus wins. A scoreless draw that sees Portugal win on penalty kicks gives Historicus the title. Or for that matter, any result where Portgual scores 1 or more than 2 goals and France scores either less than or more than 2 goals but loses, gives Historicus the title. It will be a very interesting Sunday after all.

Historicus: 111-28

Musicus: 110-36

Scriptor: 103-33

Praeceptor: 95-26

Fortuitous: 84-27

Artifex: 74-18

IoannesNix: 73-19

Ferrarius: 60-14

Quaesitor: 54-14

Quarterfinals Quartered!

Historicus: 110-27
Scriptor: 103-33
Musicus: 98-34
Praeceptor: 95-26
Fortuitous: 84-27
Artifex: 70-17
IoannesNix: 63-19
Ferrarius: 58-12
Quaesitor: 53-13

2nd Round Standings.

Scriptor: 85-31

Musicus: 84-30

Praeceptor:81-23

Historicus: 80-24

Fortuitous: 75-26

Artifex: 57-15

IoannesNix: 52-16

Quaesitor: 52-12

Ferrarius: 42-12

Rising Like the Fhionnuisce!

 

Ireland's only victory against Italy came at the 1994 World Cup where the two met in the opening match of their group stage. Ireland came away 1-0 winners. A draw would have seen Ireland finish in third place, but not in a good enough position to advance. Robbie Brady's 85th minute goal changed all that. The only third place team better than Ireland is Slovakia. It was quite a comeback to see the Celtic boys advance. There is another game left for them to play.

Ukr 0:1 Pol

NIR 0:1 Ger

Cze 0:2 Tur

Cro 2:1 Esp

ISL 2:1 Aut

Hun 3:3 Por

Ita 0:1 Ire

Swe 0:1 Bel

Scriptor: Ukr 1:1 Pol          63-26

               NIr 0:3 Ger

               Cze 0:1 Tur

               Cro 1:2 Esp

               ISL 1:1 Aut

              Hun 0:2 Por

              Ita 2:1 Ire

              Swe 1:2 Bel

Musicus: Ukr 1:3 Pol           62-22

                NIR 0:5 Ger

                Cze 3:1 Tur

                Cro 1:2 Esp

                ISL 1:1 Aus

                Hun 0:2 Por

                Ita 3:0 Ire

               Swe 1:2 Bel 

Fortuitous: Ukr 1:0 Pol          58-21

                   NIR 0:2 Ger

                   Cze 3:1 Tur

                   Cro 2:2 Esp

                   Isl 3:4 Aut

                   Hun 1:0 Por

                   Ita 0:1 Ire

                  Swe 0:2 Bel

Praeceptor: Ukr 2:2 Pol          58-20

                   NIR 0:2 Ger

                   Cze 1:1 Tur

                   Cro 2:2 Esp

                   ISL 1:1 Aut

                   Hun 0:1 Por

                   Ita 1:1 Ire

                   Swe 2:2 Bel

Historicus: Ukr 1:2 Pol          54-17

                   NIR 0:1 Ger

                   Cze 1:0 Tur

                   Cro 0:2 Esp

                   Isl 0:2 Aut

                   Hun 1:3 Por

                   Ita 1:1 Ire

                   Swe 0:2 Bel

IoannesNix: Ukr 1:2 Pol         39-12

                    NIR 2:2 Ger

                    Cze 2:3 Tur

                    Cro 2:3 Esp

                    Isl 2:1 Aut

                    Hun 1:3 Por

                    Ita 3:2 Ire

                    Swe 2:2 Bel 

Artifex: Ukr 2:3 Pol          38-14

             NIR 0:4 Ger

             Cze 1:1 Tur

             Cro 0:3 Esp

             Isl 1:3 Aut

             Hun 1:3 Por

             Ita 2:2 Ire

             Swe 3:2 Bel

Quaesitor: Ukr 1:2 Pol         38-9

                  NIr 1:3 Ger

                  Cze 2:1 Tur

                  Cro 0:4 Esp

                  Isl 1:3 Aut

                  Hun 4:1 Por

                  Ita 1:2 Ire

                  Swe 1:2 Bel

Ferrarius: Ukr 3:2 Pol         32-8

                NIr 1:2 Ger 

                 Cze 3:2 Tur

                 Cro 1:2 Esp

                 Isl 2:3 Aut

                 Hun 2:3 Por

                 Ita 2:2 Ire

                 Swe 2:2 Bel

Iceland's victory gave 3 points to Fortuitious. Draws by Hungary and Portugal gave Artifex and Ferrarius one point each.

Groups B and F were won by Fortuitous who gained 2 more points. Musicus gained two more points by winning groups C and E. Group D was won by Scriptor. Praeceptor equaled Fortuitous's points for group F and also won a point.

The first round is now over. IoannesNix, Musicus, Quaesitor, and Scriptor are no longer paired with teams in the tournament. For Fairness, these players will be drawn new teams. 

 

Ketchup!

Bel 3:0 Ire
Ice 1:1 Hun
Por 0:0 Aus
Sui 0:0 Fra
Rom 0:1 Alb

                     Bel 2:0 Ire  

                     Ice 1:0 Hun

Scriptor:       Por 0:1 Aus          51-22

                     Sui 1:1 Fra

                     Rom 1:0 Alb

                     Bel 2:1 Ire

                     Ice 2:1 Hun

Musicus:      Por 2:2 Aus        50-18

                    Sui 1:1 Fra

                    Rom 0:1 Alb

                    Bel 1:0 Ire

                    Ice 1:1 Hun

Praeceptor: Por 2:2 Aus          46-16

                    Sui 1:1 Fra 

                    Rom 1:0 Alb

                    Bel 1:1 Ire

                    Ice 0:0 Hun 

Fortuitous:  Por 1:0 Aus         41-15

                   Sui 3:2 Fra

                   Rom 3:2 Alb

                   Bel 2:0 Ire

                   Ice 1:1 Hun

Historicus: Por 2:2 Aus          40-12

                  Sui 1:1 Fra

                  Rom 1:0 Alb
                  Bel 3:1 Ire
                  Ice 3:2 Hun
Artifex:     Por 2:2 Aus          32-12
                  Sui 1:2 Fra
                  Rom 3:2 Alb

                  Bel 1:3 Ire
                  Ice 1:2 Hun
Quaesitor: Por 2:0 Aus         30-9
                  Sui 1:3 Fra
                  Rom 2:2 Alb
                  Bel 1:3 Ire
                  Ice 2:1 Hun
IoannesNix: Por 2:2 Aus        29-8

                  Sui 3:2 Fra
                  Rom 3:2 Alb
                  Bel 2:2 Ire
                  Ice 3:3 Hun
Ferrarius:  Por 2:3 Aus         25-5
                 Sui 2:4 Fra
                 Rom 2:2 Alb

Fortuitous and Ferrarius each drew a point as Iceland and Hungary tied 1-1. The scoreless draw between Portugal and Austria awarded Artifex and Musicus a point each. Albania's victory over Romania gave 3 points to Quaesitor. With a total of 17 points won in Group A, Musicus has gained another bonus point.

Czeching for Goals.

 

Italy opened up the day with a match against Sweden. This game would be tight until Eder, just Eder, would score in the 88th minute giving Italy a second win in this tournament and putting them through to the Round of 16.

The middle match saw Slavic brothers collide as the Czech Republic battled Croatia. It would be a match of two halves. The first saw a goal from Ivan Perisic in the 37th minute give Croatia. The second half would see the game open up as Ivan Rakitic would strike in the 59th minute to put Croatia up 2-0. A 76th minute strike by Milan Skoda would pull Czech Republic within one. Tomas Neci would convert a penalty in the 89th minute to tie the game.

The evening match saw Spain battle Turkey. La Furia Roja would unload the goals. Alvaro Morata would score in the 34th minute. Nolito, just Nolito, would score 3 minutes later. Morata would put in a second to put Spain up 3-0 for the win in the 48th minute.

Ita 1:0 Swe

Cze 2:2 Cro

Spa 3:0 Tur

                      Ita 2:1 Swe

Scriptor:        Cze 2:2 Cro       44-19

                      Spa 2:0 Tur

                      Ita 1:0 Swe

Musicus:       Cze 1:2 Cro       39-15

                      Spa 2:1 Tur

                      Ita 0:0 Swe

Fortuitious:   Cze 4:2 Cro       37-14

                      Spa 0:3 Tur

                      Ita 2:2 Swe

Praeceptor:    Cze 0:2 Cro       35-13

                      Spa 1:1 Tur

                      Ita 1:2 Swe

Historicus:    Cze 1:1 Cro       29-9

                      Spa 2:0 Tur

                      Ita 2:1 Swe

IoannesNix:  Cze 1:1 Cro       28-7

                      Spa 2:1 Tur

                      Ita 2:4 Swe

Artifex:         Cze 1:2 Cro       26-11

                      Spa 3:2 Tur

                      Ita 2:3 Swe

Quaesitor:     Cze 2:3 Cro       25-7

                      Spa 2:1 Tur

                      Ita 3:2 Swe

Ferrarius:      Cze 1:0 Cro        22-5

                      Spa 2:1 Tur

Sweden's loss prevents IoannesNix from picking up any extra points. Other than that, it's been a long day. We do it again tomorrow.

Fabulanski!!!!!

 

England bounced back from their 1-1 draw with Russia by throwing a Vardy Party. Gareth Bale gave Wales the lead with another fantastic freekick from distance in the 42nd minute. Jamie Vardy would start the comeback with a great reflexive strike in the 56th minute (Chat Shit Get Banged). Daniel Sturridge would then strike at the 90th minute to give England the win.

Northern Ireland's strategy of playing defensive soccer against Poland didn't work out. In their second match they came out swinging as a 49th minute strike by Gareth McAuley would give the Northern Irish a lead over Ukraine. Niall McGinn's 90th minute +6 minute strike would seal the deal. 

Ukraine's Euro fate would balance on the battle of Saint-Denis. Poland have never managed to score a goal against Germany in a tournament, but today they would bring the fight. Though Germany gave it their all, saves like this

 

by Lukasz Fabianski would allow Poland to walk away with a point and the draw. That result booted Ukraine from the tournament, but they have one more match to play.

Eng 2:1 Wal

Ukr 0:2 NIr

Ger 0:0 Pol

                        Eng 2:0 Wal

Scriptor:          Ukr 1:1 NIr        35-16

                        Ger 3:1 Pol

                        Eng 1:3 Wal 

Fortuitous:      Ukr 1:1 NIr        35-12

                        Ger 3:0 Pol

                        Eng 0:1 Wal

Praeceptor:      Ukr 2:0 NIr        34-12

                        Ger 1:1 Pol

                        Eng 1:1 Wal

Musicus:         Ukr 2:0 NIr         32-12

                        Ger 1:1 Pol

                        Eng 3:1 Wal

Historicus:      Ukr 1:1 NIr         23-7

                        Ger 2:1 Pol

                        Eng 2:2 Wal

Artifex:           Ukr 3:0 NIr         22-9

                        Ger 4:3 Pol

                        Eng 3:2 Wal

IoannesNix:     Ukr 1:3 NIR      22-7

                         Ger 3:2 Pol

                         Eng 1:1 Wal

Quaesitor:        Ukr 4:1 Nir        22-6

                        Ger 2:2 Pol

                        Eng 1:3 Wal

Ferrarius:        Ukr 1:1 NIr        17-4

                        Ger 3:2 Pol

A failure to secure three points with a win against Poland earned Germany one point. Praeceptor also received a point. Wales loss means that Historicus will not see any extra points tonight. Good night to all.

The Longest Minute Ever Played.

 

Yesterday's middle match saw Romania and Switzerland kick off. Romania would take a shocking 1-0 lead when Bogdan Stancu converted his second penalty of the tournament in the 18th minute. It would be Albanian-Swiss striker Admir Mehmedi who would tie the game in the 57th minute. The game would end a draw.

The nightcap saw hosts France battle against Albania. For 89 minutes neither team could break the deadlock. Then the longest minute at Euro 2016 happened. It started with a 90th minute strike by Antoine Greizmann. It would be followed up by a 90th minute strike 6 minutes later by Dimitri Payet. And just like that, France would win 2-0.

Rom 1:1 Sui

Fra 2:0 Alb

Fortuitous: Rom 1:1 Swi     33-10

                   Fra 4:2 Alb

Scriptor:     Rom 1:1 Swi    32-15

                   Fra 1:1 Alb

Praeceptor: Rom 0:0 Swi    30-11

                   Fra 1:0 Alb

Musicus:    Rom 1:1 Swi     29-11

                   Fra 1:0 Alb

Artifex:      Rom 3:1 Swi      21-8

                   Fra 5:0 Alb

Historicus: Rom 1:2 Swi      20-6

                   Fra 2:0 Alb

Quaesitor:  Rom 2:1 Swi      19-5

                   Fra 3:2 Alb

IoannesNix: Rom 1:4 Swi    18-7

                    Fra 2:2 Alb

Ferrarius:    Rom 2:2 Swi     17-4

                   Fra 2:1 Alb

Albania's loss means that they cannot qualify directly in one of the top two spots. They can possibly clinch a 3rd place spot and still see the second round. They have failed to gain Quaesitor any points thusfar, but are guaranteed one more shot to do so.

Nani, are You OK? Are You OK Nani?

 

Yesterday's matches began with an on the rise Swiss team facing a rebuilding Hungarian team. Most pundits had Switzerland the favorites, but Adam (what a great first name) Szalai would put Hungary ahead in the 62nd minute. Aleksandar Dragovic would pick up a second yellow card leading to his ejection in the 66th minute. The man advantage would allow Zoltan Steiber to double Hungary's score in the 87th minute. 

The second match saw Portugal look to squash Euro debutantes Iceland. It looked good to go that way when Nani would score in the 31st minute giving Portugal the lead they would take into halftime. But in the second half, Portugal would be struck by a smooth criminal when Birkir Bjarnason would tie the match in the 50th minute. The game would end even.

Today's first match saw Russia battle it out with a possible ejection from the tournament looming against Slovakia. The scoring would begin when Vladimir Weiss struck goal for Slovakia in the 32nd minute. The Slovaks would go up 2-0 into the half on a last minute strike by Marek Hamsik. Russia would battle back and make the last ten minutes interesting when Denis Glushakov scored in the 80th minute. Slovakia were strong enough to silence Russia from there on out, and the game ended 2-1 to the independent boys.

Aus 0:2 Hun

Por 1:1 Ice

Rus 1:2 Slo

                    Aus 2:0 Hun

Scritpor:      Por 1:1 Ice      28-13

                    Rus 1:1 Slo

                    Aus 0:3 Hun   

Fortuitous:   Por 3:2 Ice       27-8

                    Rus 1:2 Slo

                    Aus 1:2 Hun

Praeceptor:  Por 1:2 Ice       25-10

                    Rus 2:1 Slo

                    Aus 2:1 Hun

Musicus:      Por 3:0 Ice       22-8

                    Rus 0:0 Slo

                    Aus 4:2 Hun

Artifex:       Por 5:2 Ice        17-6

                    Rus 3:0 Slo

                    Aus 1:1 Hun

IoannesNix: Por 3:1 Ice       16-5

                    Rus 2:1 Slo

                    Aus 1:2 Hun

Quaesitor:   Por 3:2 Ice        16-4

                    Rus 3:1 Slo

                    Aus 3:0 Hun

Historicus:  Por 4:0 Ice        15-3

                    Rus 2:2 Slo

                   Aus 4:2 Hun

Ferrarius:    Por 3:2 Ice        12-3

                   Rus 2:1 Slo 

The Austria-Hungary match saw Ferrarius and Musicus go head to head. The victory for Hungary gave 3 points to Ferrarius, while Austria let Musicus down, so he gets none. The Portugal and Iceland matchup also saw Artifex and Fortuitous go head to head. The draw sees each player gain a point. As for Scriptor, Russia's loss leaves him without any extra points. But he's in the lead and doesn't need them. Onward to the remaining matches!

Ciaran! Ciaran the Ball Into My Own Goal!

 

Spain would open the defense of their 2 in a row European Championship by playing a virtual draw against the Czech Republic. I say virtual because the game was tied for  the first 96.67% of the time. But it would end 1-0 to La Furia Roja when Gerard Pique (Mr. Shakira) scored in the 87th minute. Remember kids to always work on your headers.

Ireland would follow up by scoring 2 goals and walking out with a 1-1 draw. No, that's not a typo. Wesley Hoolahan would put Ireland up 1-0 in the 48th minute. Keeping Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoreless was all for the good, but then Ciaran Clark would score against his own side leaving the game level to the final whistle.  

The nightcap saw a hyped up Belgian side face last tournament's runners-up in Italy. Italy is a country of fashion, and they don't like to get caught wearing the same outfits as their group-mates. Therefore, Emanuele Giaccherini's 32nd minute goal would not do. Scoring 1 goal is for the less Romantically named players of countries not named Italy. So a last minute adjustment by Graziano Pelle would double up the score leaving Italy top of the group.

Esp 1-0 Cze

Ire 1:1 Swe

Bel 0:2 Ita

                     Esp 2:0 Cze 

Scriptor:       Ire 1:1 Swe       24-11     YC

                     Bel 2:1 Ita

                     Esp 0:0 Cze

Musicus:       Ire 1:1 Swe      22-8       YC

                      Bel 0:0 Ita

                      Esp 1-0 Cze

Praeceptor:    Ire 1:1 Swe      21-8

                      Bel 2:1 Ita 

                      Esp 3:2 Cze

Artifex:          Ire 1:4 Swe       15-5

                       Bel 3:0 Ita

                       Esp 3:1 Cze 

IoannesNix:   Ire 3:2 Swe       15-4    YC

                       Bel 2:3 Ita

                       Esp 3:0 Cze

Fortuitious:    Ire 0:0 Swe      15-3

                       Bel 2:0 Ita

                       Esp 3:0 Cze

Historicus:     Ire 1:0 Swe      14-2

                       Bel 2:0 Ita

                       Esp 3:2 Cze

Quaesitor:      Ire 2:1 Swe      13-3     YC

                      Bel 3:1 Ita

                      Esp 2:3 Cze

Ferrarious:     Ire 3:2 Swe      8-2

                      Bel 2:2 Ita

Paired with Sweden, IoannesNix received an extra point for their 1-1 draw with Ireland.