Rayment Reins Supremo in South Africa

Casillas, the captain, lifts the greatest prize in sport. 

Only four are remaining when Spanish substitute Cesc Fabregas feeds Iniesta in the box. The 26-year-old waits for the ball to drop and then drives a half-volley at goal ...

Congratulations Rayment, our new 2010 Football4Mates Supremo, a five pointer, to firstly draw him level with Yoni in the Semi Final then to hold his nerve and chose Spain for the Final when he needed outright victory. Rayment’s victory also ends the 20 year Mediterranean siege that has dominated the competition though the boys from Israel and Cyprus claimed second and third respectively.

Excellent work Yoni, our Runner-up, who could have gone for a Spanish win to hold his lead but, sticking to his principals, went with the Dutch. George K secured his position as the mythological figure of this competition by claiming third (and third consecutive top 3 finishes); eight points clear of Harry Potter. The new column, KO, represents points accumulated by players beyond the Group Stage. This would have been a case of “if only” for former Supremo, Stylianos, who finished second with 26 points. At the Butt End, Jonovsky, our resident cellar dweller for this World Cup, took out Bottom while Duncan picked up a handy five points to lift him clear from the drop zone.

From the Incentive Prizes front, Jeremy collects the Obama “Yes We Can” Prize for predicting Uruguay (4th) while the Red mist Award is split with Nestor and Blair predicting Australia and Jonovsky (Uruguay). Spicy Duels, and the Australia boys are facing fines as the European Eight lead from the opening match (624-573), Ireland 78 - France 62 (sweet revenge), NZ 79 - Australia 72, England 69 - Argentina 62.

It was a real battle for me to watch the final. Managed to see the first half, missed the entire second plus first period of extra time and finally found ONE television in Sydney Airport that had the match, to see the final eight minutes, or should I say The Most Important Final Eight Minutes in Spanish Football history.

To all our new Mates, we hope that Football4Mates lived up to some of the hype and to our regular Mates, we wish that the competition went beyond the heights of our last competition in 2006. Where to from here? Well one never knows where they’ll be in four years time, but we will aim to bring something to you before we meet on the shores of Rio. I will be incontact with the winners when return. Adios for now.


Semi Table

We've Got Two Clear Predictions

Game Breakers for the 2010 World Cup Final?
Arjen ROBBEN, Andres INIESTA, Robin VAN PERSIE, XAVI

Mates, I know you are eagerly awaiting the final predictions of our two leaders, non more so thanYoni and Rayment. We could not have planned for a better finale. Yoni has predicted the Dutch (1-0) while Rayment has gone for Spain (2-1). Fantastic!! Good luck to both players. A tad of an anti-climax for 3rd with both George K and Harry Potter going for a Spanish victory, which means George K will finish 3rd irrespective of how the Final pans out. Surprising, Mates are split on who will take it out tomorrow morning - that is the World Cup. Down the bottom, Duncan has gone Spain while Jonovsky has predicted the Netherlands.

I'll do my best to get in front of a computer after the final but I cannot promise when that will be as I'll be in an airport with the aim of getting in front of the TV for the end of the second half- let's hope it goes into extra time - but NOT penalties. To our Dutch Mate, Haakie, alias Bear, all the best, while for the rest of us lets hope it's an exciting spectacle. As Joe S stated today, this is perhaps the most highly anticipated final in a very long time.

Come July 12 we'll have a New World Champion and Supremo

The Cave Man, Carlos Puyol sends a thumping header into the top corner giving Neuer no chance. You won't see a firmer header than that. He almost burst the ball! Photograph: Rogan Ward, Reuters

One goal is enough to send Spain to a historic World Cup Final with the Netherlands.

62 matches played, one match remaining and while the world awaits the crowning of a new World Champion – Spain or Netherlands - for the first time Football4Mates will also come down to this Final to hail a new Supremo. From three players that were in for a shot pre-dawn today, we are left with two. One can only guess the level of nerves this morning englfing Yoni, Rayment and George, who tipped Germany, Spain and Draw respectively.

Strangely only four players (Slavco, Nestor, Stylianos and Rayment) tipped a Spanish victory. Two (Stylianos and Rayment) predicting the 1-0 score-line. That dramatic prediction propels Rayment to equal first with Yoni, but the Israeli has the edge with a superior Game prediction total. Remember, if players are tied at the conclusion of the tournament, we take the Total Games Points to determine the winner. In the battle for third, George K needs two points to secure a top three finish for the third consecutive tournament while Harry Potter requires five points and hope. It's going to be more than just tipping this final game, Mates also have to think which way their rival is likley to sway.

Down the bottom we have two of our pre-tournament favourites (Jonovsky and Duncan) desperately fighting (1pt separating both players) to avoid the Butt End Award. From the Spicy Duels front, we go into the Final with the following scores:

•  Australia 564 World 613
•  Ireland 77 France 62
•  Australia 73 NZ 78
•  Argentina 57 England 68

Scores Table


Games Table


Semi Table

Dutch into the Final

Two games to go and it seems like a two way race between Yoni (103pts) and Rayment (98 pts), two Mates who have both maintained a consistent duel between themselves for some time now. With all the tips provided (no changes can be made) we are going to add some extra zing to both these players hopes as the second Semi Final looms. We can declare that Yoni has gone for a German victory (2-1) while Rayment has placed his prediction in favour of the Spanish (1-0). Supremo George K (94 pts), who still has outside forces hot on his tail, foresees an exciting 1-1 result. Therefore, if the Germans fall in either regulation or extra time, we will be going to the Final to determine the Supremo. Good luck.

Eighteen minutes in and Holland's captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst opens the scoring with one of the goals of the tournament. Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters

...Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera dives and just gets the faintest of fingertip touches to the ball but not enough to stop it as the ball flies into the top corner. Photo: Laurence Griffiths, Getty Images

Another stupendous effort by Diego Forlan to level the scores. Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

Arjen Robben puts a powerful header back across the goal giving Fernando Muslera no chance. Final Score: Netherlands 3 - Uruguay 2. Photo: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Now for the Semi Finals

Just four teams left for the 2010 World Cup: Netherlands v Uruguay, Germany v Spain

Three minutes into the match against Argentina and the Germans strike...Thomas Mueller

With the writing on the Germany go three up thanks to the aid of Bastian Schweinsteiger magical run. Germany 4 - Argentina 0

With seven minutes remaining on the clock and the deadlock is finally broken by Spain, and luck plays rather a large part in it. Iniesta bursts through the middle and like wasps attracted to some jam, the Paraguay defenders are drawn to him. This leaves Pedro unmarked on the edge of the box who is found by the diminutive midfielder, he fires a shot goalwards but hits the post. The ball runs to David Villa who controls the ball before firing it back towards the goal, his shot also hits the post and then rolls across the face of the goal before hitting the other post and rolling into the net. Spain 1 - Paraguay 0 guardian.co.uk, Sunday 4 July

Quarter Final

Oranje Men march over Samba Boys

Brazilians swamped in a sea of Oranje

Biggest upset in the 2010 World Cup? That's a little disrespectful to the Oranje Men is it not? The Dutch today stepped up to take a Semi Final spot as the “Golden Boys” of football (Brazil) capitulated under their own egos and “divine” World Cup expectations. And how about the Uruguay Ghana match? Got to feel some sympathy for Ghanaian striker Asamoah Ayan, who had already converted two spot kicks earlier in this tournament, miss a penalty in the last seconds of extra time. It would have to rate as perhaps one of, if not the most highly pressured World Cup penalty kick of all time. This lad did not only hold the expectations of his country, but that of the entire African continent in his hands…and he missed!! Not one for his scrapbook.

Three players picked the score for the Netherland Brazil match - Stylianos and NicO, while Mr Lenny Man grabbed the day's top score (7pts) by nabbing the 1-1 in today's second match (Uruguay v Ghana). Who was the third player that tipped the Dutch? Well that would be Yoni, who also retook the lead as both Rayment and George K bombed out (0pts).

Maarten Stekelenburg in the Netherlands goal leaps high to claw away a cheeky clipped shot from Kaka

Goal ... Wesley Sneijder heads in the winner 2-1 Netherlands

  

Felipe Melo (Brazil) scores an own goal for the Netherlands 1-1

One of the players of the tournament? Another goal for Uruguay's Diego Forlan as he gets past Ghana's Sulley Muntari

  

Something to read as we gear up for Argentina v Germany...
In 2004 Diego Armando Maradona was lying among the patients in a psychiatric ward while his family argued about further treatment. "They were all crazy in there," he later recalled. "One guy said he was Napoleon and they didn't believe him. I said I was Maradona and they didn't believe me, either." Six years later, against all the odds and expectations, he is once again dominating the World Cup. Richard Williams guardian.co.uk, Friday 2 July 2010

PLAYER TOTAL

1. Yoni 97
2. Rayment 94
3. George K 87
4. Harry Potter 84
5. Mr Lenny Man 83
6. Luke 82
7. Turczynski 80
8. Haakie 76
9. Stylianos 75
10. Do Chi 75
11. NicO 73
12. Joe S 73
13. Benny G 73
14. Mihail 73
15. Blairos 71
16. Gav 67
17. Tony 66
18. Beelitz 64
19. Nestor 61
20. Andy 58
21. Motto 56
22. Duncan 55
23. Jeremy 55
24. Jonovsky 54
25. Slavco 52
26. Javier 51

Quarter Finals and seven matches left.

"It was just like taking a penalty back home in my neighbourhood." Oscar Cardozo, Paraguay striker after his side's 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Japan.

 

David Villa scores against rivals Portugal in their Round 16 clash: Spain 1 - Portugal 0

• Of the 184 players still involved in the World Cup, less than 10 per cent apply their trade in England. MICHAEL COCKERILL

The Quarter Finalists are sorted and there are seven matches remaining for a Supremo to be determined, fines to be avoided and reputations salvaged. During our time in running the competition we’ve never had a Mate being one step ahead of the organiser but, in his first Football4Mates tournament, Yoni, exceeded all expectations this morning by submitting his tips for the Quarters first thing. I’m feeling sarcastic sniggers but beware; this is a Mate whose passion for football is first class.

Passion together the weapon of being an unbiased neutral - a secret component that has helped our current Supremo dominate this competition. Add this with a Mate who rarely misses any match and the pressure mounts on Rayment to hold onto his lead and salvage the pride of the three Lions and Supremo George K to reclaim his title.

Outside the three, Harry Potter is keeping pace with some shrewd tipping, Luke and Mr Lenny Man have been consistent from Day 1 and our pre-tournament dark horse Turczynski is threatening.

Spicy Duels and Australia have taken the lead from Europe (526-524), Ireland are thumping the French (72-56), NZ 72 – Australia 70 and England 64 – Argentina 51. Javier at the moment is starring down the barrel of numerous fines (Butt End Award, Europe, and Argentina), while Jonovsky and Duncan are in a battle to keep the Argentinean on the bottom.

Failure to impress in 2010: Cristiano Ronaldo looks desperate as Portugal struggle to create an equaliser Photograph: Paul Thomas

No pressure Mates and remember to enjoy the Quarter Finals.


Round 16

Day 17: English Misery and a NEW leader

Biggest blunder in World Cup History? Frank Lampard's shot bounces into the goal behind Manuel Neuer - disallowed!

“The man of leisure returns” after a one day absence in which we have seen the collapse of the English both on and off the field. In what has been a fairly low scoring couple of days, two good spurts of brilliance from Yoni and Mihail saw both Mates finish Day 16 & 17 with twleve points each. With this success, Yoni has not only erased Rayment’s lead, he has knocked him off the top. Well done to the man from Israel who is seeking to continue the Mediterranean domination of this competition. Rayment slides to second and George K is struggling to hold onto third from Luke and Harry Potter. At the bottom end, it seems like a tussle between Jonovsky and Javier.

  

Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third of four goals (4-1). Photo: AFP

 Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in the 3-1 victory over Mexico. Photo: AP

 Maradona edges closer to making history MICHAEL COCKERILL

  

PLAYER TOTAL

1. Yoni 88
2. Rayment 85
3. George K 78
4. Luke 76
5. Harry Potter 75
6. Turczynski 72
7. Mr Lenny Man 72
8. Mihail 69
9. Haakie 68
10. Joe S 67
11. Do Chi 66
12. Benny G 65
13. Stylianos 64
14. Blairos 64
15. Gav 63
16. NicO 62
17. Beelitz 62
18. Tony 60
19. Andy 54
20. Jeremy 53
21. Nestor 51
22. Motto 50
23. Duncan 49
24. Slavco 48
25. Javier 43
26. Jonovsky 42

Round 3 Wrap and a Former Supremo Tops Day 15

As Braaaziil conitnue to handball their way through this World Cup and we reach the business end of the tournament, it seems that our leader and newly baptised, Mr Football, Rayment, has been feeling the pressure, tipping a very disappointing four points from nine matches. We've gone for Mr Football as this is the Mate who took days of work for, and get this, World Cup Fatige. That's brilliant!!!

A spiteful Group G stalemate between Brazil & Portugal, Duda of Portugal reacts as he is given a yellow card by Referee Benito Archundia

Rayment's stumble though has allowed Yoni back into the race, cutting our leader’s margin to five points. George K is holding onto third but is looking over his shoulder as Harry Potter, who has been blitzing it with twenty one points in two days, hovering three points behind. Putting away the disappointment of Italy’s early exit, Stylianos (USA 94 Supremo) topped Day 15 with 14 points.

Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo fails to stop a goal by Spain's Andres Iniesta: Spain 2 - Chile 1

From the incentives angle, one player (Nestor), is looking good for the Red Mist Award as  Australia top that list. However, Mates that predicted England, Argentina, Uruguay, Netherlands and Ghana are still in with a shout. Also, excellent work for those who foresaw Mexico (2), Chile (2), USA (6), Paraguay (Mr Lenny Man), Uruguay (Jeremy) and Slovakia (Do Chi) for the Obama Yes We Can Award. It’s now a case of who will go the furthest.

Here is an interesting statstic for you to chew on. Japan, who made the Round of 16 have the second worse (NZ bottom) Pass Completion Rate (709 [62%]) in this tournament, this compared to Brazil's 1647 (84%) - wonder if they've included Brazil's three handballs in that figure? Enjoy the KnockOut phase.


Round 3 -

Day 14: World Champions Crash Out

"Terror in our legs, heads and hearts" Marcello Lippi. And with that the World Champions pack their bags and head back to the Italian Riverina. Arrivederci and I doubt any of us will be loosing too much sleep.  The Italians had only 6 shots on their goals during their three matches - "impressive" I hear you say - five of which ended up in the back of the net. That's fantastic!! Norton Street can now pull down their mega Italian Flags and send them straight to the dry cleaners and let's hope in for years time they'll have the dignity of sticking up some Australian flags alongside the tri colours of Red, White and Green.

Fabio Cannavaro wipes away the tears as he leaves the pitch. This could well be his last match. What a stinker (Slovakia 3-Italia 2)

New Zealand and Paraguay engage in team bonding before kick off

Excellent results this morning for Harry Potter (5th) and our flying Dutchman, Haakie (9th) who both showed faith in those incredible All Whites (0-0 v Paraguay) and Japan (3-1 v Denmark). While our top 2 had quiet evenings, Yoni (2nd) and Luke (3rd) picked up a score each to make some progress on closing the gap. Remember Mates, whilst some of you are dropping off the pace all of you are involved in either Spicy Duels or personal battles against eachother where defeat will cost you a fine or humiliation.

Joris Mathijsen, left, and Gaetan Bong go for a header (Netherlands 3 - Cameroon 1)

PLAYER TOTAL

1. Rayment 79
2. George K 68
3. Yoni 67
4. Luke 62
5. Joe S 58
6. Harry Potter 57
7. Turczynski 57
8. Mr Lenny Man 56
9. Haakie 55
10. Blairos 53
11. NicO 52
12. Gav 52
13. Benny G 51
14. Do Chi 50
15. Mihail 50
16. Beelitz 49
17. Stylianos 46
18. Tony 46
19. Andy 45
20. Slavco 44
21. Nestor 43
22. Duncan 43
23. Motto 41
24. Javier 41
25. Jonovsky 38
26. Jeremy 37

Day 13: The Mythical Figure Returns

Australia's Tim Cahill (right) rises above Serbia's Vidic to heads Australia into the lead and onto victory (2-1)

This on the same day the Socceroos exit the World Cup to a team (Ghana) that has not scored a goal in open play (two penalties), USA winning virtually with the last kick of the game to top their group and England squeezing through to find only Ze Germans standing in their next game, we witness the re-emergence of that 'Mythical' player and Supremo, George K, return to the fold scoring in three out of four games (15pts). Tony deserves mention for picking the Socceroos (2-1), Rayment holds his lead after an average day of results and George K climbs into second.
   

England players celebrate after scoring to go 1-0 up against Slovenia. Next Opponent, Germany.

From the Spicey Duels front, the Australians who have been behind Europe from day 1 are looking at fines as they trail Europe 360-389. Again NZ have it over the men in gold 54-48, Ireland over France 52-39, come on Motto and England are giving poor Javier (Argentina) a wholloping 55-39.

Landon Donovan's stoppage time goal against Algeria secures top spot for the US

PLAYER TOTAL

1. Rayment 77
2. George K 66
3. Yoni 62
4. Luke 57
5. Joe S 56
6. Turczynski 53
7. Blairos 51
8. Mr Lenny Man 51
9. NicO 50
10. Harry Potter 48
11. Do Chi 48
12. Gav 48
13. Benny G 47
14. Haakie 46
15. Mihail 46
16. Tony 44
17. Beelitz 42
18. Nestor 41
19. Stylianos 41
20. Duncan 41
21. Andy 41
22. Motto 39
23. Javier 39
24. Slavco 39
25. Jonovsky 36
26. Jeremy 35
27. Leedham 33

Day 12: Rayment extends lead

Tip of the day goes to Luke and his 2-2 prediction with Nigeria v South Korea but, it's that man again Rayment, scoring another staggering twleve points to extend his lead further.,This coming from the player who said "This is when it starts to get hard" - yeah thanks mate.

After dragging their entire nation's reputation through what can only be described as elephant dung, France have finally packed their egos and manager (French coach blank over not shaking Parreira's hand) and are on their way home, much to the entire world's relief, including our French Mate, Motto. Hopefully Motto you can get your campaign back on track over the upcoming matches.

''Probably one or two (players) are not happy, but the majority are happy. For this reason, it is no problem. One player is not so important compared to all the other players. The group is more important than one player." FABIO CAPELLO, Terry gets a towelling from Capello.

   

Otto Rehhagel & Diego Maradona find time for a little dance before kick-off & Martin Demichelis stabs home from close range after Melito handballs in the 77th minute. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

 

Uruguay's Luis Suarez scores a header in the 43rd minute to give
Uruguay a 1-0 victory over Mexico

PLAYER TOTAL

1. Rayment 71
2. Yoni 56
3. Luke 51
4. George K 51
5. Joe S 45
6. Blairos 45
7. NicO 44
8. Mr Lenny Man 44
9. Harry Potter 42
10. Gav 42
11. Turczynski 42
12. Mihail 42
13. Do Chi 41
14. Haakie 40
15. Tony 37
16. Benny G 36
17. Nestor 35
18. Stylianos 35
19. Beelitz 35
20. Javier 35
21. Jeremy 35
22. Andy 34
23. Duncan 33
24. Motto 33
25. Leedham 33
26. Slavco 33
27. Jonovsky 32

Round 3: A Date with Destiny For Two Nations....again

As we complete the day's action of Round 2 Games Joe S and Blairos had positive results (12pts) that will give both players a nice confidence booster for Round 3. Complete table is below. Don't forget your tips and good luck. In the meantime as Greece and Australia prepare for their All Against the Odds Games, here is a trip down memory lane when both nations achieved the unexpected.

Ronaldo breaks his goal drought and Portugal produces its highest World Cup score,
thrashing North Korea 7-0

David Villa (left) blows his chance of a hatrick in Spain's 2-0 victory over Honduros and Jonovsky & Nestor's hope of breaking their Score Prediction ducks.

In one of matches of the World Cup so far, a relentless Chile finally broke down a record-breaking 10-man Switzerland 1-0 to move to the top of Group H.

 

Priceless Special 1

Never to late Mates for a laugh with the Super Ego. Day 10 Update is further down.

"The Incredible Sulk: French go to town on 'pathetic, disgraceful, laughing stock of the world' team" It's hard not to throw our opinion into the ring with this one but, for the sake and credability of our competition we'll need to stay out it. Though we do wonder what the Irish make of it.

Mutiny ... France players decide not to train. Photo: AP

 

Day 10: The All Whites hold the Champions and Turczynski makes a surge.

Shane Smeltz of New Zealand scores the opening goal past Federico Marchetti of Italy. Photo: Mike Hewitt, Getty Images

On the day the All Whites hold the World Champions to a draw, the French finally having enough of their Manager and his staff and Rayment picking up his fourth consecutive score with the first match (Slovakia v Paraguay) of the day to extend his lead, Turczynski made a surge up the ladder with an impressive ten pointer.

Just as he's packing his bag to head off into the Mongolian wilderness to find his future bride, Turczynski, who to date has had a quiet tournament, may just about make it his time to come back into contention. However, with Rayment picking scores (21pts) and Yoni nailing outcome (36pts) the road may be tough. Javier has finally moved of the bottom with good results which has left our pre tournament favourite Jonovsky planted on the bottom whom along side Nestor are still waiting to pick up their first scores.

We are moving into the business end of the tournament as teams are looking at playing for their survival so think carefully with the expectation that some upsets may be on the cards.

 The Ladder

1. Rayment 53
2. Yoni 45
3. Luke 40
4. Mr Lenny Man 40
5. George K 38
6. Harry Potter 34
7. NicO 32
8. Turczynski 32
9. Gav 31
10. Do Chi 31
11. Mihail 31
12. Beelitz 29
13. Slavco 29
14. Leedham 29
15. Jeremy 29
16. Benny G 28
17. Joe S 27
18. Motto 27
19. Haakie 27
20. Andy 27
21. Nestor 26
22. Stylianos 26
23. Blairos 26
24. Duncan 24
25. Tony 24
26. Javier 23
27. Jonovsky 22

Day 9: Flawless, Absolutely Flawless

A devastating evening by Rayment smashing all previous records together with the competition on this Day 9 of the World Cup. Rayment, mates, racked a 100% record, scoring the maximum fifteen points to open up an eight point lead from Yoni and Mr Lenny Man, who have both been consistent from the start.

Harry Kewell is given a red card in Australia's match with Ghana for handling on the line(1-1). Photo: Steve Christo

Australia held its breath: Luke Wilkshire fires his shot straight at goalkeeper Richard Kingson. Photo: Reuters

Anelka kicked out of World Cup

1. Rayment 46
2. Yoni 38
3. Mr Lenny Man 36
4. George K 34
5. Luke 33
6. Harry Potter 30
7. Gav 29
8. Mihail 29
9. NicO 28
10. Motto 27
11. Beelitz 27
12. Slavco 27
13. Jeremy 27
14. Benny G 26
15. Joe S 25
16. Andy 25
17. Do Chi 24
18. Haakie 23
19. Nestor 22
20. Stylianos 22
21. Leedham 22
22. Turczynski 22
23. Jonovsky 20
24. Blairos 19
25. Duncan 17
26. Tony 17
27. Javier 14