Cochineas is Archon, and Germany are World Champions

 2014 World Football Champions, Germany.
Germany defeated Argentina 1-0, at the famous Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP 

F4M ARCHON

COCHINEAS J

The Moment: Mario Goetze scores Germany's World Cup winning goal past Sergio Romero of Argentina in extra time which gave the
Germans their fourth title, and Jeremy Cochineas the Archonship.

As Mario Gotze sent the ball into the Argentine net in the 113 minute of extra time there was one Mate, and a few million Germans jumping in ecstasy. Germany's 1 -0 success in this morning's final against Argentina ended a fantastic tournament for not only Germany, the world watching, our mates being part of F4M, but importantly, Cochineas, who has pulled off, incredibly, two straight five point predictions to jump Luke at the last hurdle, and claim the 2014 F4M Archonship. No doubt Cochineas, in the face of defeat, your ancestors would be proud of this great comeback. Today's final was no doubt an epic with two of the best teams in the competition and now, the world.  Unfortunately there was no fairy tale ending for either Messi or, our Runner-up Luke, who was within touching distance of glory, and has now come in second for two consecutive tournaments. Well done also to Benjamin, who ran a good campaign to come in third. However, Brazil 2014 will be remembered for Germany's victory, and Cochineas' success.

"I'd like to thank all the mates but particularly Like and Motto (Benjamin) for making it an exciting tournament. Mostly I'd like to thank Nestor for his contribution to making the greatest sporting event on Earth even more enjoyable. While the cash is nice, it's more exciting to be now immortalised in the F4M folklore".
Jeremy Cochineas, 2014 World Cup Archon

It has truly been a joy to bring another installment of Football4Mates, and we truly hope that you enjoyed the football predictions and experience which brought every game to life in the quest of achieving glory. The competition has been relatively close for the majority of the tournament with almost all the Mates having some expectation of achieving nike right up till the end of the Quarter Final where many of us unfortunately fell completely off the rails. Two things have become certain by the end of this 2014 tournament. One; that it is becoming near impossible for an Archon to defend the title. Two; the reputation of the hosts Brazil has been spectacularly damaged both on and off the field, which is a sad way to finish but as the Athenians said in the incredible Melian dialogue, "do not rely on hope".

So where does Football4Mates go from here? Well unless I find find myself trekking on some Ancient Historical expedition, or enjoying life on my olive orchard overlooking the Mediterranean (which I do not have), we'll be back for another installation of our competition in two years time, where Jason T will be defending his Euro Archonship in France 2016, and Jeremy will hope to achieve what has been to date an unaccomplished feat.  Hopefully all of us will be a tad wiser, and most importantly, healthy and well. Below is the table for some of you to enjoy, or lament. Hence, for the time being, adeus from Brazil.

	Brazil 2014	O	B	TOTAL
1	Cochineas	70	27	97
2	Luke C	66	30	96
3	Benjamin	76	15	91
4	Alexander	70	18	88
5	Jason T	66	21	87
6	Joe S	80	6	86
7	Yianni	68	15	83
8	Si Webb	64	18	82
9	Dung	68	12	80
10	Andy	58	21	79
11	Nicholas M	58	21	79
12	Harry Potter	58	21	79
13	Nestor	60	18	78
14	Aramis	66	9	75
15	George K	66	9	75
16	Stylianos	60	9	69
17	Rayment	50	9	59

F4M, France Euro 2016, who will prevail?