Narrowing, but Forza Pazza maintains one point lead

The surprising Japan win was picked by just 10 and their advancement to the Round of 16 was picked by just four.  Who knew when they had that losing streak coming in and failed to secure a match after the WC against Mozambique that the Samurai Blue would join South Korea as members of the elite 16.  Who knew JPN were free kick specialists?  Two goals off FKs.  In fact the only other FK goal (I believe) was KOR's.  JPN & KOR linked again.  The Dutch became the second team to sweep (9 pts) with BRA and CHI trying to do the same tomorrow.  59 picked Holland to win their game and 64 had them making the Round of 16.


Forza Pazza remains in first with 51pts, but EEChick1400 (50), and Big Tex (49) are close behind.  Eros 1 and Eros 2 (as you can guess, the same person and our defending champ) picked both matches and got both teams to move from a tie for 42nd to a tie for 12th (45).  El Ruso was the only other one to get both R16 teams and moved from 26th-T to 12th-T.  A total of 9 got both late matches correct.  Source (12th-T) had a topsy-turvy day missing both PAR & SVK but getting both JPN & NED.

For the day, 12 went 2-1 while 7 went 0-3.  Three picked 3 of the 4 R16 teams while four only got one correct and Coin Tossed (Last, 24) picked none.  As for the top picks, Forza Pazza, Lionelmessi, and El Oso (12th-T) have gotten 24 of 32 games correct while six have picked 9 of 12 R16 teams (not including BRA).

Italy is our biggest bust so far.  They were one of 3 teams (ESP and ARG are the other two) where everyone picked them to advance. Nine had them in the Semis, five in the Final, and Ram58 (55th-T, 39) picked them as champion.  It seems hopeless for him, but we won't know for sure until after tomorrow's matches.  That is when we will find out which of the 67 entries have no chance of finishing in the top 4.