June 23, 2014

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 10 comments

First off, that's a great Google doodle for today:

Secondly,

Potential crazy tie-breaker alerts for this week:

  • Group A

    • If Cameroon beats Brazil 2-0, and Croatia beats Mexico 3-2, it's time to draw lots between Brazil and Mexico for a spot in the Round of 16.

  • Group C

    • If Japan beats Colombia 3-1, and Greece beats Ivory Coast 2-0, it's time to draw lots between Japan and Greece for a spot in the Round of 16.

  • Group F

    • If Iran beats Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-0, and Argentina beats Nigeria 1-0, it's time to draw lots between Iran and Nigeria for a spot in the Round of 16.

  • Group G

    • If Portugal beats Ghana 2-0, and Germany beats USA 3-0, it's time to draw lots between Portugal and USA for a spot in the Round of 16.

    • If Ghana beats Portugal 3-0, and USA beats Germany 2-0, it's time to draw lots between Ghana and Germany for a spot in the Round of 16.

  • Group H

    • If Russia beats Alergia 4-3, and South Korea beats Belgium 2-0, it's time to draw lots between Russia and South Korea for a spot in the Round of 16

posted by grum@work at 08:29 AM on June 23, 2014

As I pondered tiebreakers yesterday, I wondered whether a new tiebreaker could be added right above drawing lots. Perhaps the first goal in the game between the teams could be a decider. The only situation this wouldn't help is when they draw 0-0.

posted by rcade at 10:31 AM on June 23, 2014

Perhaps the first goal in the game between the teams could be a decider. The only situation this wouldn't help is when they draw 0-0.

That's better than the idea that I've heard used which is the team with the fewer yellow cards. That just leaves things open to ref manipulation in the final minutes of a match to start handing out yellow cards to tip the balance in one direction.

posted by grum@work at 11:35 AM on June 23, 2014

Mexico's victory today confirmed their progress to the knockout phases of the World Cup, after their chances of even qualifying for the tournament were saved by Graham "Saint" Zusi.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 05:48 PM on June 23, 2014

Just heard that justice has prevailed at last and Pat Burns has been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It's quite a class this year, including Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek and former referee Bill McCreary. Burns deserved election a long time ago, but there was someone, somewhere who was dead set against his inclusion.

posted by Howard_T at 06:22 PM on June 23, 2014

With McCreary and Burns, I defy you to make a better case for best mustachioed class. Maybe the class that had Lanny MacDonald?

posted by holden at 10:55 PM on June 23, 2014

Speaking (kind of) of San Zusi...

posted by bender at 11:34 PM on June 23, 2014

I don't understand the Mexico reference in Klinsman's quote. I wish it was about Michael Vick hanging around the team.

posted by NoMich at 07:45 AM on June 24, 2014

NoMich:

The Mexican beatification of Graham Zusi should explain it.

posted by grum@work at 08:26 AM on June 24, 2014

Zusi's resemblance to well-known sport stars has led me to dub him Landon Federer.

posted by beaverboard at 09:07 AM on June 24, 2014

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