Bitcointalk's FIFA World Cup Pool Discussion Thread

[hilariousetc]

Please make sure you're signed up to both leagues. Seems to be a couple of players who aren't.

Only a little over a day to go now so still chance to play. If you want to join please send 0.005 to the following address: 1DQadByWZgjUzKfvgi2dxwyK6FpvSajTFX

Once you have paid I will send you details of how to join the group.

Pot will be a minimum of:

1st 0.05
2nd 0.03
3rd 0.02
4th 0.01
5th 0.005

I chosen that Spain will win against France in the final. But now when Spain sacked their coach I don't believe it's going to happen. It's shocking decision by Spanish football federation.

That's pretty silly of them. It's not going to do them any favours for sure. I didn't think Spain have much of a chance of winning anyway. I backed them to get to the semis but that's it.

[tokeweed]

^  Wha?  I thought the coach left to become Real manager after the WC, not sacked...  *Looking it up*

Oh wow...  Rofl.  That def reduces Spain's chances on winning it.  Why can't they just let it slide?  It's just two days before the tourney!  WTF_Spain_Futbol.

[BitcoinSupremo]

If the group of players is really talented then there is no a big importance who is the coach. We have seen some unknown coach like Di Matteo winning champions with Chelsea because the group of players were excellent. Spain will be one of the finalists.

[tomahawk9]

^  Wha?  I thought the coach left to become Real manager after the WC, not sacked...  *Looking it up*

Oh wow...  Rofl.  That def reduces Spain's chances on winning it.  Why can't they just let it slide?  It's just two days before the tourney!  WTF_Spain_Futbol.

I was gonna ask if you think this can have an impact on Spain's performance in the WC. IMO I doubt it's going to cause some kind of breakdown within the group. I think they're still among the favorites to win the whole thing, it's not like without Lopetegui the players forgot how to play football.

Why can't they just let it slide? ~ the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, didn't know about the negotiations between Julen-Real Madrid, he felt deceived, so he decided to sack the coach to make a statement, he didn't even listen to the players (Ramos, Pique, etc) who told him to do it after the WC...I think the guy is just too prideful.

New coach is Fernando Hierro.

[Theb]

Check both league tables for the Bracket Challenge and Predictor Round and I counted (not counting hilariousand since I think hilandco is the one hilarious is using) that there only 19 Members in the Predictor Round and 18 Members in the Bracket Challenge, and looking at it one by one the one named leea1334 didn't join the bracket challenge. He/She must be still under the impression of only joining just one league based on the earlier rule given by hilarious.

[Welsh]

I just don't understand the whole Spain saga. It seems silly that they would do it so close the the world cup, and you don't know what effect that this will have on the players leading up to the first game. You get used to a coach, and coaches normally have certain tendencies to play certain players, and now all the players are going to be in the dark on who's going to be playing, and who isn't. Plus tactics might slightly change, because of this. I didn't fancy Spain's chances, but this just makes it even worse.

[BitcoinSupremo]

I just put my prediction for tomorrow opening game, what it does mean maximum points 335 ? And it didn't ask to save the result just like BBC premier league predictor did. I hope I have done it correctly but in case I haven't please tell me here, don't want to lose points because of this.

[Barcode_]

I have made my prediction on the scoreline for the match between Russia vs Saudi Arabia, but the site does not seems to have the function to save my prediction I inputted, I hope the site have manage to capture my prediction, and it seems there is another option to key in ( Team to receive the most free kicks ) do we need to make a selection for this as well or just totally ignore it since this option is not going to be included in the scoring system of the world cup pool.

[Welsh]

Yeah, don't worry about it guys the predictions of the match score are saved once you've inputted both the teams goals. There's no save button. You can check if it's saved by refreshing the page or visiting it again later if in doubt just check it.

I hope that not too many of you locked in your bracket prediction before hearing the news of the Spanish manager. It might not have an effect, but it's always best to leave it quite late so that you avoid injuries, and unforeseen circumstances from having an impact of the team.

[Barcode_]

Yeah, don't worry about it guys the predictions of the match score are saved once you've inputted both the teams goals. There's no save button. You can check if it's saved by refreshing the page or visiting it again later if in doubt just check it.

I hope that not too many of you locked in your bracket prediction before hearing the news of the Spanish manager. It might not have an effect, but it's always best to leave it quite late so that you avoid injuries, and unforeseen circumstances from having an impact of the team.

Thanks for the information, I saw my prediction on the scoreline for the match between Russia vs Saudi Arabia are being saved by the site after I had visit the site again.

[tokeweed]

How is this 5 star thread on the second page?  BUMP! 

[Trofo]

How is this 5 star thread on the second page?  BUMP! 

We are busy putting in out predictions. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to speculate about results and have fun. Business first

Must say that today's game is not the opener I would have wish for. But it is always like this in WC. There is few low interest games in the group stages.

[SyGambler]

alright guys since we agree to discuss our betting here , I will start putting my predictions here in this thread
for today opening game , to be honest I haven't followed the russian team but I have followed Saudi Arabia in the last two years
the team is good and one of the respected teams in Asia , so I'm not sure about the match result but everyone is heavily favoring Russia to win
I won't bet on the match result , but I'm taking both teams to score ( was able to catch it last week at X3.0 ) now it's at X2.70 but I do believe there is value

I have some outrights also waiting to get matched on the exchanges I use , one of them is South Korea to finish last group and that's for 8 units at X1.82 but still not matched yet

I also made a small bet for Spain to win the world cup even though I'm predicting France to win , but I do believe Spain is undervalued by the bookies

[tokeweed]

^  Mmmm...  I don't think Spain is undervalued if you consider the sudden change of their coach.  And the replacement is the sporting director?  That's not good.

If the replacement was J's (forgot his name lmao) long time assistant (if he had one) who's been working closely with the team, then maybe Spain is undervalued.  Emphasis on 'long time assistant'.  I'm thinking something kinda like Mou's Rui Faria.

[tomahawk9]

Russia vs Saudi Arabia

I'm going with BTTS @ 2.50. I think both teams have some abysmal defensive problems, but I believe both teams have the potential to hurt their rival, I've seen some Saudi Arabia games and they're quite decent on counter attacks, and Russia have some experience players. I'm also going with Over 1.5 goals @ 1.40. And last but not least, First to Score - Russia @ 1.31.

Btw, no host of a WC has lost the opening match, ever...don't let me down, Russia.

[Welsh]

I bet Russia to win on my accumulator that will be covering a few of the other games coming up in the following days, but honestly thought this could of been a game which lacked any sort of substantial chances, and just dragged to a goalless end. I think Russia has done a little better than my expectations for the game, however didn't actually catch the goals, and only started watching now. Seems Saudi are now deflated.

I didn't see Russia scoring two though so that's a surprise.

[buwaytress]

So has everyone managed to come aboard the leagues? I wasn't sure so I clicked accept many times, just in case, because the page for me freezes up. I can actually also see hilarious prediction, probably because I accepted the earlier 1v1 invite link?

I bet Russia to win on my accumulator that will be covering a few of the other games coming up in the following days, but honestly thought this could of been a game which lacked any sort of substantial chances, and just dragged to a goalless end. I think Russia has done a little better than my expectations for the game, however didn't actually catch the goals, and only started watching now. Seems Saudi are now deflated.

I didn't see Russia scoring two though so that's a surprise.

I did, but definitely didn't see the third goal coming. Lost my first bet on the game though, thought Saudi getting more yellow cards was likelier as I thought the refs would be kind to Russia as hosts. I actually stopped watching after the second goal. Maybe the guys in green were still fasting? =p

Edit: and they added 2 goals moments after I wrote this. Maybe I need to revise my predictions for high scoring group games.

[Welsh]

I did, but definitely didn't see the third goal coming. Lost my first bet on the game though, thought Saudi getting more yellow cards was likelier as I thought the refs would be kind to Russia as hosts. I actually stopped watching after the second goal. Maybe the guys in green were still fasting? =p

I definitely didn't see them scoring 5...way to prove me wrong Russia. I'm sure they have an agenda against me.   Fair play to them they destroyed, and Saudi really did look deflated since I tuned in. I can't really gauge the strength of Russia from that performance though due to their opponent not really turning up to the game. Some really good finishes towards the end though I must say.

That's one win ticked off my accumulator though. Oh, and I  believe Salah is almost 100% to be fit to play tomorrow.

[SyGambler]

lost the both teams to score and after seeing the match I'm regretting not taking big handicap for Russia  
anyways didn't expect Saudi to not score since Russia defence isn't that strong and Saudi has some of the best players in Asia

moving on to next games , hopefully the profits will come tomorrow

BTW I see the leaderboard still showing 0 points for participants so when it should update ?

[panjul07]

lost the both teams to score and after seeing the match I'm regretting not taking big handicap for Russia  
anyways didn't expect Saudi to not score since Russia defence isn't that strong and Saudi has some of the best players in Asia

moving on to next games , hopefully the profits will come tomorrow

BTW I see the leaderboard still showing 0 points for participants so when it should update ?

I'm seeing the same thing, but I can see the Public League is updated already as I can see some people get points. Just wondering how many points you guys get from the first match LOL. I doubt there is someone predicted the correct score to be honest, but lets wait for the leaderboard update.