The group play has closed and the final 14 are in place.
A -- Poland, Portugal
B -- Italy, France
C -- Greece, Turkey
D -- Czech Republic, Germany
E -- Croatia, Russia
F -- Spain, Sweden
G -- Romania, Netherlands
The only real shocker is that Croatia and Russia edged out England, who ended up with the same record as Israel. Scotland in Group B, Norway in Group C, Denmark in Group F and Bulgaria in Group G all came up just short. They were the heartbroken-est.
Not sure when the tourney starts back up, some time in the spring I suppose, but I'm ready.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
A good Sunday
Man, Sunday was a good day for the sport editor. And, man, I gotta tell you DVR makes it all so much better. Delivered birthday wishes to my favorite 2 year old, ended up mostly playing nerf basketball in the living room (oh yeah, I showed that kid who's boss!). Arrived back home around 2:30 and popped on the Bengals-Bills game.
Normally the sport editor would turn his nose up at such mediocre fare but deep down he is a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan and has to seize this rare opportunity to see his boyhood squad on national TV. Got through the first 3 quarters in about an hour (thank you, DVR). The Bills tore down the field on their opening drive, JP Losman carving up the Bengal secondary like a Rob Zombie villain (or would it be hero?). The Bengals matched the feat on their opening drive, Carson Palmer looking even more impressive flinging confidently down field. Then they both wound down a bit. The Bills were able to knock in 4 FG's over their next 5 or 6 possessions but the Bengals held the halftime lead thanks to a kick return TD. The Bills secondary was flat out more effective than the Bengals, even laying some serious hits on Chad Johnson eventually knocking him senseless late in the game. (Yeah, I know it's utterly tasteless to rag on the guy who got carried off on a stretcher, but isn't he overrated? Seems to me that Houshmanzadeh gets it done while Johnson takes all the pub. I don't mean that Johnson's no good, not at all, he's a fine WR, I'm just suggesting that his mouth has advanced his fame more than his on-field skills) The Bengals D stiffened in the red zone but gave up points more readily than the Bills.
As I got into the 4th quarter, I was approaching live action again, so I switched to Juventus-Inter over on Fox Soccer. This too was aided by DVR action, allowing me to skip the opening blah-blah and get right into the action. If I didn't know I was watching two of the finer teams in Europe, I would've swore I was watching two city park beer league squads having a hack fest. Tenacious D is all well and good but the ref was doing more work than I'd like to see him do. In soccer (and I would suggest similarly in baseball), the ref is all-important in determining the flow of the game. And if the ref loses control then it can descend into nothing but brutality with a little round ball. In this case, though, it was the players who dictated the ref's whistle. They came out sloppy and cruel and the ref had to insert himself early and often. And the side judges too: good god, Inter must've been off-side at least a dozen times in the first half! It was a really frustrating game. Just before half-time, when I had long since assumed Inter would never be on-side, Cruz shook loose and drilled one low and to the left of Juve's keeper, a nice strike.
At half-time, I skipped back over the 4th quarter of the Bengals-Bills game. The Bengals were ahead 21-19 with 8 minutes or so left and they looked poised to squeeze the clock to zero. But the Bills quite effectively used Marshawn Lynch to protect the ball, move forward and eat up some clock. An odd strategy since their passing attack had dominated but it wasn't scoring touchdowns and adding in Lynch's speed to the outside and confidence between the tackles kept the Bengals D backpedaling. And the coup de grace: Lynch with the halfback option pass to reclaim the lead with 5 minutes to go. Good stuff. I figured Carson Palmer had enough time to engineer a drive but the Bengals just couldn't get it done and went 3 and out. Then Lynch, in an attempt to run out the clock, shook off three tacklers in the backfield and broke clean for a 50 yard run up field. As a Bills fan I was pleased, as a spread player I was less so. I had the Bengals -1, I figured their passing attack would make the big statement on Buffalo's workmanlike D. I figured wrong, it was the other way around. The Bengals just don't have much D and the Bills are a little stronger than I gave them credit for.
It was about time for Colt-Pats, the day's tastiest morsel, but I went back to the second half of Juventus-Inter. I hoped that the two squads would've tightened up and gotten back to playing clean soccer but not so much. In fact, the injuries--real injuries, not just the soccer kind--came pretty heavy in the second half. Inter (top of the table in Serie A right now), was the better team, I thought. They defended and turned it and controlled the ball up front well enough to get a handful of shots throughout the match. Juve (currently in 4th in Serie A), on the other hand played hack-y and couldn't maintain possession. But they did get the equalizer on some frantic play in front of the goal. It was a nice strike but I think the keeper would've had it except that it ricocheted off the leg of a defender and took an unnatural hop over his head. It ended in a 1-1 draw which Juve was lucky to have. Though they're only separated by 3 spots in the rankings, I thought Inter looked like the much better team on Juve's home turf.
And that brings us to the Thanksgiving turkey, Colts-Pats. I anticipated a high scoring affair with the home team at least keeping it close, if not pulling out the victory, though honestly I thought virtually any outcome was possible (multiple universes are great for over-imaginative physicists but can be a troubling concept to gamblers). And any outcome would make for an exciting contest. It was more of a defensive contest than I would've thought but still it made for a good game. Samuel's first interference call was a good call but an unnecessary foul; the second one was a horrible call--it should've been offensive pass interference! Both led to FG's and a serious ass-whippin' at half-time, I'm sure. And what was with that interference call on Moss in the end zone? Both defensive lines were excellent. Neither of these QB's have had pressure like that all year long. Man, Addai's TD was a nice run after the catch but, man, that was some horrible tackling, they just never put him down. Addai is a beast, always knew he was good, but he came up huge on this day. I never understood why knocking a guy out of bounds before he gets both feet down is punished. Isn't that good defense? It’s the receiver's responsibility to get 2 feet down, why can't the defender knock him out? On the Pats TD drive in the 4th Stallworth had only 1 foot down and was knocked out and given the catch. But it seems to me Stallworth still had room to get the 2nd foot down, he just didn't. Why is the defense punished for that? I don't get it. Didn't it seem like Tony Dungy was still talking when Belicheck walked away?
Normally the sport editor would turn his nose up at such mediocre fare but deep down he is a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan and has to seize this rare opportunity to see his boyhood squad on national TV. Got through the first 3 quarters in about an hour (thank you, DVR). The Bills tore down the field on their opening drive, JP Losman carving up the Bengal secondary like a Rob Zombie villain (or would it be hero?). The Bengals matched the feat on their opening drive, Carson Palmer looking even more impressive flinging confidently down field. Then they both wound down a bit. The Bills were able to knock in 4 FG's over their next 5 or 6 possessions but the Bengals held the halftime lead thanks to a kick return TD. The Bills secondary was flat out more effective than the Bengals, even laying some serious hits on Chad Johnson eventually knocking him senseless late in the game. (Yeah, I know it's utterly tasteless to rag on the guy who got carried off on a stretcher, but isn't he overrated? Seems to me that Houshmanzadeh gets it done while Johnson takes all the pub. I don't mean that Johnson's no good, not at all, he's a fine WR, I'm just suggesting that his mouth has advanced his fame more than his on-field skills) The Bengals D stiffened in the red zone but gave up points more readily than the Bills.
As I got into the 4th quarter, I was approaching live action again, so I switched to Juventus-Inter over on Fox Soccer. This too was aided by DVR action, allowing me to skip the opening blah-blah and get right into the action. If I didn't know I was watching two of the finer teams in Europe, I would've swore I was watching two city park beer league squads having a hack fest. Tenacious D is all well and good but the ref was doing more work than I'd like to see him do. In soccer (and I would suggest similarly in baseball), the ref is all-important in determining the flow of the game. And if the ref loses control then it can descend into nothing but brutality with a little round ball. In this case, though, it was the players who dictated the ref's whistle. They came out sloppy and cruel and the ref had to insert himself early and often. And the side judges too: good god, Inter must've been off-side at least a dozen times in the first half! It was a really frustrating game. Just before half-time, when I had long since assumed Inter would never be on-side, Cruz shook loose and drilled one low and to the left of Juve's keeper, a nice strike.
At half-time, I skipped back over the 4th quarter of the Bengals-Bills game. The Bengals were ahead 21-19 with 8 minutes or so left and they looked poised to squeeze the clock to zero. But the Bills quite effectively used Marshawn Lynch to protect the ball, move forward and eat up some clock. An odd strategy since their passing attack had dominated but it wasn't scoring touchdowns and adding in Lynch's speed to the outside and confidence between the tackles kept the Bengals D backpedaling. And the coup de grace: Lynch with the halfback option pass to reclaim the lead with 5 minutes to go. Good stuff. I figured Carson Palmer had enough time to engineer a drive but the Bengals just couldn't get it done and went 3 and out. Then Lynch, in an attempt to run out the clock, shook off three tacklers in the backfield and broke clean for a 50 yard run up field. As a Bills fan I was pleased, as a spread player I was less so. I had the Bengals -1, I figured their passing attack would make the big statement on Buffalo's workmanlike D. I figured wrong, it was the other way around. The Bengals just don't have much D and the Bills are a little stronger than I gave them credit for.
It was about time for Colt-Pats, the day's tastiest morsel, but I went back to the second half of Juventus-Inter. I hoped that the two squads would've tightened up and gotten back to playing clean soccer but not so much. In fact, the injuries--real injuries, not just the soccer kind--came pretty heavy in the second half. Inter (top of the table in Serie A right now), was the better team, I thought. They defended and turned it and controlled the ball up front well enough to get a handful of shots throughout the match. Juve (currently in 4th in Serie A), on the other hand played hack-y and couldn't maintain possession. But they did get the equalizer on some frantic play in front of the goal. It was a nice strike but I think the keeper would've had it except that it ricocheted off the leg of a defender and took an unnatural hop over his head. It ended in a 1-1 draw which Juve was lucky to have. Though they're only separated by 3 spots in the rankings, I thought Inter looked like the much better team on Juve's home turf.
And that brings us to the Thanksgiving turkey, Colts-Pats. I anticipated a high scoring affair with the home team at least keeping it close, if not pulling out the victory, though honestly I thought virtually any outcome was possible (multiple universes are great for over-imaginative physicists but can be a troubling concept to gamblers). And any outcome would make for an exciting contest. It was more of a defensive contest than I would've thought but still it made for a good game. Samuel's first interference call was a good call but an unnecessary foul; the second one was a horrible call--it should've been offensive pass interference! Both led to FG's and a serious ass-whippin' at half-time, I'm sure. And what was with that interference call on Moss in the end zone? Both defensive lines were excellent. Neither of these QB's have had pressure like that all year long. Man, Addai's TD was a nice run after the catch but, man, that was some horrible tackling, they just never put him down. Addai is a beast, always knew he was good, but he came up huge on this day. I never understood why knocking a guy out of bounds before he gets both feet down is punished. Isn't that good defense? It’s the receiver's responsibility to get 2 feet down, why can't the defender knock him out? On the Pats TD drive in the 4th Stallworth had only 1 foot down and was knocked out and given the catch. But it seems to me Stallworth still had room to get the 2nd foot down, he just didn't. Why is the defense punished for that? I don't get it. Didn't it seem like Tony Dungy was still talking when Belicheck walked away?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
NFL Week 9
TAMPA BAY 3.5 Arizona
DETROIT 3.0 Denver
TENNESSEE 4.0 Carolina
KANSAS CITY 2.5 Green Bay
San Diego 7.0 MINNESOTA
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Jacksonville
ATLANTA 3.5 San Francisco
Washington 3.5 NEW YORK (NYJ)
Cincinnati 1.0 BUFFALO
CLEVELAND 1.5 Seattle
New England 5.0 INDIANAPOLIS
OAKLAND 3.0 Houston
Dallas 3.0 PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH 9.0 Baltimore
I like the Bucs to bounce back at home against a so-so road team.
The Lions better than the Broncos? I'm not sure that's happened in my life time! So have the Broncos righted their ship? Are the Lions for the real? I think no and no but I'll still stick with the home faves.
Titans-Panthers is a tough one, an overachiever against and underachiever this point in the year makes for a little of bewildered bettors out there. I'll take the road dog, just because I like the dogs in these match-ups.
I thought the Chiefs would be competing for the 1st pick this year, I thought their one-dimensional offense would struggle all year. They haven't been great but they're not bad and in a weak division, they've got a decent shot at hanging the playoff picture til the end. But I think the Packers are a better team and they're rolling pretty good right now. I like the Packers to put a hurting on that KC running game and Brett Favre to sting that soft KC secondary. Take the dog here.
The Chargers are rolling, they're back and the Vikings still haven't figured out what to do with themselves. I like the Chargers big in this one.
Jax is a tricky squad to predict, they looked much better than I thought they would last week at Tampa. Everyone thinks the Saints are ready to dominate again but I'm not convinced. That D doesn't impress me and without Deuce, they'll rely too heavily on Reggie Bush. I like Jax to stick the Saints attack and run the ball effectively. I like Jax to win straight up.
Hmmm, the Falcons are a train wreck but they do have some good players. The Niners are disappointing, especially on the road, but they too have some talent. I'll take the Niners to cover but the Falcons to win, a la a late FG--thank Vegas for that extra half point!
The Redskins got pounded last week in New England and they'll be ready to put that mojo on someone else. And NYJ are a team just waiting to be tattooed. Take the Redskins, give the points and then some. (Danger: wouldn't surprise me to see NYJ rally late to make it look close, beware of the Redskins getting an early lead and easing up in 4Q)
Cincy is better than Buffalo but they're not really playing better than Buffalo right now. The Bills are mediocre but consistent, they'll show up and play as well as they can; the Bengals are talented but schizophrenic, they've got more than enough talent to win in Buffalo but you just don't know if they'll bring it. I think I like Cincy to bring it, this is a team that can lay the wood to and I think struggling teams not every blowout they can get. I like the Bengals big because they won't let up if they get an early lead.
Seattle is a 1.5 point dog at Cleveland. The Browns offense is really hitting full stride (I thought last year that they should've sold the farm to get Reggie Bush--guess they didn't need him), and while Seattle is a tough team on both sides, they don't travel well and they've been inconsistent the last few years. I think I like the dog here, I can see a shoot-out that goes right to the end, I like a close game.
The Colts have a 12 game winning streak, they're the Super Bowl champs and they've defeated the Pats 3 straight. So why are they a 5 point dog at home? I thought this would be closer a spread, 5 points is a lot at Indy. My first instinct is the Pats will roll them just like everyone else. But deep down I think Indy is too good to just get pushed around. This really will be a great game--no matter what happens! If Indy blows them out, it'll be fascinating to watch. If the Pats blow them out, that'll be fascinating too! I'm not sure who I like to win, but I've gotta take the Colts plus 5 at home--you got to!
The Texans haven't stepped forward the way I thought they might've. The Raiders haven't sucked too bad but haven't been any good either. Uh, I'm inclined to take the home team and 3 points doesn't seem too high. If the Raiders can force turnovers, they'll win easily.
Damn, there's a lot of hard games this week! The Eagles have underperformed and they've got some off-the-field issues in their heads this week, I think this spurs them forward. The Cowboys are good but they're not as good as they think they are and I think they're anticipating a winning game in Philly this week. I like the Eagles to win straight up.
The Steelers are good and the Ravens are overrated. Are the Steelers 9 points better on Monday night? I'll say no. I think they win comfortably but not in a blow out, the Ravens keep it close enough.
DETROIT 3.0 Denver
TENNESSEE 4.0 Carolina
KANSAS CITY 2.5 Green Bay
San Diego 7.0 MINNESOTA
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Jacksonville
ATLANTA 3.5 San Francisco
Washington 3.5 NEW YORK (NYJ)
Cincinnati 1.0 BUFFALO
CLEVELAND 1.5 Seattle
New England 5.0 INDIANAPOLIS
OAKLAND 3.0 Houston
Dallas 3.0 PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH 9.0 Baltimore
I like the Bucs to bounce back at home against a so-so road team.
The Lions better than the Broncos? I'm not sure that's happened in my life time! So have the Broncos righted their ship? Are the Lions for the real? I think no and no but I'll still stick with the home faves.
Titans-Panthers is a tough one, an overachiever against and underachiever this point in the year makes for a little of bewildered bettors out there. I'll take the road dog, just because I like the dogs in these match-ups.
I thought the Chiefs would be competing for the 1st pick this year, I thought their one-dimensional offense would struggle all year. They haven't been great but they're not bad and in a weak division, they've got a decent shot at hanging the playoff picture til the end. But I think the Packers are a better team and they're rolling pretty good right now. I like the Packers to put a hurting on that KC running game and Brett Favre to sting that soft KC secondary. Take the dog here.
The Chargers are rolling, they're back and the Vikings still haven't figured out what to do with themselves. I like the Chargers big in this one.
Jax is a tricky squad to predict, they looked much better than I thought they would last week at Tampa. Everyone thinks the Saints are ready to dominate again but I'm not convinced. That D doesn't impress me and without Deuce, they'll rely too heavily on Reggie Bush. I like Jax to stick the Saints attack and run the ball effectively. I like Jax to win straight up.
Hmmm, the Falcons are a train wreck but they do have some good players. The Niners are disappointing, especially on the road, but they too have some talent. I'll take the Niners to cover but the Falcons to win, a la a late FG--thank Vegas for that extra half point!
The Redskins got pounded last week in New England and they'll be ready to put that mojo on someone else. And NYJ are a team just waiting to be tattooed. Take the Redskins, give the points and then some. (Danger: wouldn't surprise me to see NYJ rally late to make it look close, beware of the Redskins getting an early lead and easing up in 4Q)
Cincy is better than Buffalo but they're not really playing better than Buffalo right now. The Bills are mediocre but consistent, they'll show up and play as well as they can; the Bengals are talented but schizophrenic, they've got more than enough talent to win in Buffalo but you just don't know if they'll bring it. I think I like Cincy to bring it, this is a team that can lay the wood to and I think struggling teams not every blowout they can get. I like the Bengals big because they won't let up if they get an early lead.
Seattle is a 1.5 point dog at Cleveland. The Browns offense is really hitting full stride (I thought last year that they should've sold the farm to get Reggie Bush--guess they didn't need him), and while Seattle is a tough team on both sides, they don't travel well and they've been inconsistent the last few years. I think I like the dog here, I can see a shoot-out that goes right to the end, I like a close game.
The Colts have a 12 game winning streak, they're the Super Bowl champs and they've defeated the Pats 3 straight. So why are they a 5 point dog at home? I thought this would be closer a spread, 5 points is a lot at Indy. My first instinct is the Pats will roll them just like everyone else. But deep down I think Indy is too good to just get pushed around. This really will be a great game--no matter what happens! If Indy blows them out, it'll be fascinating to watch. If the Pats blow them out, that'll be fascinating too! I'm not sure who I like to win, but I've gotta take the Colts plus 5 at home--you got to!
The Texans haven't stepped forward the way I thought they might've. The Raiders haven't sucked too bad but haven't been any good either. Uh, I'm inclined to take the home team and 3 points doesn't seem too high. If the Raiders can force turnovers, they'll win easily.
Damn, there's a lot of hard games this week! The Eagles have underperformed and they've got some off-the-field issues in their heads this week, I think this spurs them forward. The Cowboys are good but they're not as good as they think they are and I think they're anticipating a winning game in Philly this week. I like the Eagles to win straight up.
The Steelers are good and the Ravens are overrated. Are the Steelers 9 points better on Monday night? I'll say no. I think they win comfortably but not in a blow out, the Ravens keep it close enough.
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