I know it's late...

...but I was busy watching New Zealand beat the cheating Poms at the Oval. What a finish!

So...


Rauru
Germany vs Turkey 3-1
Russia vs Spain 1-2

Willy
Germany vs Turkey 5-0 (sent through picks mid-day Thursday with a 3-2 win to Germany. Nice try)
Russia vs Spain 1-2

Ben B
Germany v Turkey 3-0
Russia v Spain 1-1

Logan
Germany vs Turkey 3-1
Russia vs Spain 0-2

Geoff
Germany 2 vs Turkey 2
Russia 1 vs Spain 2

Aaron
Germany vs Turkey 3-1
Russia vs Spain 1-0

Corey
Germany vs Turkey 3-0
Russia vs Spain 1-1

Lachlan
Germany vs Turkey 2-1
Russia vs Spain 0-2

Nick G
Germany vs Turkey 2-0
Russia vs Spain 0-3

Graham
Germany 1 vs 1 Turkey
Russia 1 vs 1 Spain

Patrick
Germany 1 vs 0 Turkey
Russia 1 vs 1 Spain

Joe
Germany vs Turkey 2 -0
Russia vs Spain 0 - 1

Jamie
Germany vs Turkey 5-0

Ben H
Germany 2 vs 1 Turkey
Russia 1 vs 1 Spain

Dan
Germany vs Turkey 5-0
Russia vs Turkey 3-2

Casey
Germany vs Turkey 5-0
Russia vs Spain 2-2

Updated points

Here are the updated points as I have them. A couple of variations from Nick's list, so I'll have to look into that. I've still got all the emails so I'll look into it. The changes dont make a difference to the top (for now at least) so I'll check it later.

Patrick - 73
Casey - 50
Corey - 46
Willy - 41
Nick G - 41
Ben H - 41
Aaron - 39
Logan - 37
Jamie - 33
Ben B - 35
Graham - 32
Rauru - 29
Lachlan - 24
Dan - 23
Joe - 22
Geoff - 17

Interesting to note that 4 of the bottom 5 are expats, with 3 of us living in London, and the other having recently left Scotland for Thailand. I guess England's crapness is rubbing off on us. And yes, while the points system may not be perfect (I did mention this earlier, but thanks for bringing it up again Nick...and again). Maybe next time you could make comments on the points system before the comp starts when I gave the opportunity, rather than now when it's too late huh?

Get picks in ASAP. Thanks to those people who sent them to me even before I got them to you.

Post #100

Jake was none too happy that Austria got the late equaliser

What an honor. In only a few short months, the Stallions website has reached post #100, and I have the honor of writing it. Post 100 deserves to be a momentous occasion. A post filled with wit. A post filled with history. A post that people look back on in years to come and say "Ah yes. Post number 100. I remember it well". It should be a post where, like when Shortland Street reached episode number 4000 and brought back on Dr Ropata (yes I heard about it from the other side of the world), originals should be brought in to reminisce on their time with the Stallions.

However, post #100 will be none of those things, and will instead be the latest Euro picks. It's currently half time in the Italy - Romania game, and despite the 0-0 score line, it's actually been a pretty entertaining game with keepers having to make some great saves. Before this game Romania were rated the least attacking team in the comp based on attacking passes after the woeful game with France. In this game however they look to be stepping it up, with both teams knowing that a loss will almost certainly rule them out of the knock-out phase.

So without further ado, here are the picks:

Rauru

Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 2-1

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 0-0

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-1

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-2

Poland vs Croatia 0-2

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Willy

Italy vs Romania 3-1

Netherlands vs France 2-2

Sweden vs Spain 0-3

Greece vs Russia 2-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 2-3

Switzerland vs Portugal 1-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-2

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Ben B

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 1-0

Sweden vs Spain 1-2

Greece vs Russia 2-0

Turkey vs Czech Republic 1-0

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-2

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-2

Logan

Italy vs Romania 1-1

Netherlands vs France 2-1

Sweden vs Spain 0-1

Greece vs Russia 2-0

Turkey vs Czech Republic 2-0

Switzerland vs Portugal 1-4

Poland vs Croatia 1-1

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Geoff

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 2-1

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 1-0

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-2

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Aaron

Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 1-2

Spain vs Sweden 2-0

Greece vs Russia 0-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 1-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 1-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-2

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Corey

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 1-1

Sweden vs Spain 1-3

Greece vs Russia 1-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 1-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-2

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Lachlan

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 1-2

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 1-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-1

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-2

Poland vs Croatia 0-2

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Nick G

Italy vs Romania 1-1

Netherlands vs France 1-1
Spain vs Sweden 2-1
Greece vs Russia 1-2

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-2
Switzerland vs Portugal 1-3
Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Graham

Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 1-0

Sweden vs Spain 0-1

Greece vs Russia 0-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-1

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-1

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Patrick

Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 2-1

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 0-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 1-1

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-1

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-2

Joe

Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 2-2

Sweden vs Spain 1-3

Greece vs Russia 1-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 1-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 1-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-2

Jamie

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 3-1

Sweden vs Spain 2-1

Greece vs Russia 1-0

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-3

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 1-3

Ben H

Italy vs Romania 2-1

Netherlands vs France 2-1

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 0-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-1

Poland vs Croatia 0-3

Austria vs Germany 0-2

Dan

Italy vs Romania 2-0

Netherlands vs France 1-1

Sweden vs Spain 1-3

Greece vs Russia 0-2

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-2

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-3

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-3

Casey
Italy vs Romania 1-0

Netherlands vs France 1-0

Sweden vs Spain 0-2

Greece vs Russia 0-1

Turkey vs Czech Republic 0-1

Switzerland vs Portugal 0-1

Poland vs Croatia 0-1

Austria vs Germany 0-2

Give em a taste!

There have been a few blog benefits from Euro 2008 - mainly lots of posting from Rauru which has given me time to dwell on picks. Also, it has opened up the blog to new visitors from competing countries keen to check out how their teams are getting on and unfortunately hitting our page.

So this week, in order of most hits, we have had visits from: France, Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Sweden. What they must think of our bs picks made from half a world away from a country that ummm doesn't have the greatest history in the game.

So just to give something back to these international visitors, here is the classic photograph of our all conquering 1981 world cup squad - well, world conquering in the New Zealand football sense of the word. Yes, even today's atrocious Austrian team would beat us, but the moustaches and perms must be admired.

Now, no doubt Ben H has a story to tell about watching this team while he and the next door neighbour discovered themselves - bring on the reminiscences old man. Or retell your rugby world cup one - we need more fine money.

Is that Nick W front row second from left, and Corey front row second from right?

The pleasure, the pain, the points, and the picks

One man's pleasure is another man's pain

Round one threw up few surprises in terms of results, except perhaps that the Dutch were totally dominant over the Italians, and that the French were about as entertaining as a Hugo Chavez speech. The Spanish and Dutch look the early form teams, and with both teams only being matched by the All Blacks in their talent to trophies (or lack thereof) ratio, could this be one of their years? Germany and Portugal will no doubt have something to say about this, and surely there is a dark horse in there somewhere. Aaron would have you think Romania, but I'm thinking the Czech Republic could go the distance if on their game.

Pick of the round had to be Spain vs Russia, for both entertainment value and excitement in the Euro picking comp. In the 75th minute, David Villa claimed his hatrick to the disappointment of the many who had Spain 2-0 winners, but to the delight of Joe and Jamie who went bold with a 3-0 win. These 10 points would have gone a long way for both players, with Joe making a big run up the table, and Jamie closing in on Patrick. It wasn't to be though and in the 86th minute Russia pegged one back, dropping Joe and Jamie's 10 points, to a mear 2, with Willy in party mode having picked 3-1 to Spain. The 2-0 pickers were also probably pretty happy with 5 points coming their way. But in extra time this tale took another twist with Spain grabbing a 4th, reducing Willy's seemingly banked 10 points to 2, and giving Joe and Jamie back a couple of much needed points.

In the day's other game the Greeks and Swedes played out a a first half you would expect to see with two teams with good defence (read: boring). The second half got a bit more interesting, with Ibrahimovic scoring a cracker, followed by one of the more ugly goals you'll see in the comp. 2-0 Sweden.

So what does all this mean? The points at the end of the first round are as follows:

Patrick - 49

Corey - 29

Jamie - 29

Casey - 26

Rauru - 23

Aaron - 22

Ben B - 21

Willy - 19

Joe - 18

Logan - 18

Lachlan - 17

Ben H - 15

Geoff - 11

Nick G - 11

Dan - 12

Graham - 8

So after scoring 40 in the first 4 games, Patrick 'only' picks up 9 from the last 4, but still manages to extend his lead to 20 points. Nothing really considering how many are up for grabs for a correct score pick. Aaron was the biggest mover with 11 points, with Lachlan also picking up 9 and moving up from crap, to a little less crap, but ultimately still crap.

And the picks for the next two days? 3 people failed to get them in, so they need to hope on 4 upsets taking place just to get any points. Good luck to Austria getting one goal let alone 5. I doubt they'll get 5 in the whole tournament.

Rauru

Czech Republic vs Portugal 0-1
Swiss vs Turkey 1-1
Croatia vs Germany 0-2
Austria vs Poland 0-1

Willy
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-3
Swiss vs Turkey 1-1
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 1-1

Ben B
Czech Republic vs Portugal 0-1
Swiss vs Turkey 1-0
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 2-0

Logan - no picks made
Czech Republic vs Portugal 5-0

Swiss vs Turkey 5-0

Croatia vs Germany 5-0

Austria vs Poland 5-0

Geoff
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-1
Swiss vs Turkey 0-2
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 0-1

Aaron
Czech vs Portugal 2-1
Swiss vs Turkey 0-1
Croatia vs Germany 0-1
Austria vs Poland 0-2

Corey

Czech Republic vs Portugal 2-1
Swiss vs Turkey 0-1
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 1-1

Lachlan
Czech Republic vs Portugal 2-1
Swiss vs Turkey 0-1
Croatia vs Germany 1-1
Austria vs Poland 0-2

Nick G - no picks made

Czech Republic vs Portugal 0-2

Switerland vs Turkey 1-1

Croatia vs Germany 1-3

Austria vs Poland 1-0

Graham
Czech Republic vs Portugal 0-2
Swiss vs Turkey 0-2
Croatia vs Germany 1-1
Austria vs Poland 0-2

Patrick
Czech Republic vs Portugal 0-2
Swiss vs Turkey 0-1
Croatia vs Germany 0-2
Austria vs Poland 0-1

Joe - no picks made

Czech Republic vs Portugal 5-0
Swiss vs Turkey 5-0
Croatia vs Germany 5-0
Austria vs Poland 5-0

Jamie
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-2
Swiss vs Turkey 2-1
Croatia vs Germany 0-2
Austria vs Poland 0-2

Ben H
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-2
Swiss vs Turkey 1-1
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 1-1

Dan
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-2
Swiss vs Turkey 0-1
Croatia vs Germany 1-2
Austria vs Poland 0-2

Casey
Czech Republic vs Portugal 1-1
Swiss vs Turkey 1-0
Croatia vs Germany 0-1
Austria vs Poland 1-1

Make sure you get the next picks into me in time.

Because I Cant Wait

I was going to wait until the end of the first round, but curiosity got the better of me, so here are the standings and points so far.

Patrick - 40
Corey - 27
Jamie - 27
Casey - 24
Ben B - 19
Rauru - 19
Willy - 17
Joe - 14
Logan - 14
Aaron - 11
Ben H - 9
Geoff - 9
Nick G - 9
Dan - 8
Lachlan - 8
Graham - 6

You may want to double check that I gave you the correct amount of points. Graham, you don't need to. I checked and double checked. You have 6 points. Lachlan, you too. As good as your TAB form is, you only have 8 in this picking comp.

This just goes to show the importance of getting the score and margin correct. While Lachlan picked the winner of each game correct, he still got less points than had he picked just one exact score. Unfair? Maybe. Tough s**t? Absolutely.

Tonight's games are potentially very big. Holland and Italy both have key injuries, and opinion is very spread on how France will go against Romania.

If people want to edit any picks they send me once injuries or anything else kick in, feel free to do so, but I must get picks by 6pm the day before kickoff UK time. However, once picks go up on this blog they can not be changed, as it would be unfair to base your picks on what someone else thinks.

In the event of a draw in standings at the end of the competition, the winner will be decided by who has picked the most correct exact scores. If that is equal, then it will go to the most correct teams and margins, then correct teams, then whoever got the most points for the final game, then semis etc etc.