Shocker in Rennes (6/29)

It was a little shocking to see 1C-Italy and 1E-Netherlands so blatantly arguing in the faces of the referee.  It was pretty disrespectful and I wonder if it was a male ref, if they would do that.  There were 29 fouls (16 by NED) and four cards (all ITA).  NED got a couple of headers in the second half to be beat ITA 2-0 to advance to their first semifinal.  This match also featured the first cooling breaks in the 30' and 75' as the heatwave continues across France.

1B-Germany, with more days rest than 2F-Sweden, struggled all day and already made two subs as the second half started.  GER scored early on a great volley but soon and for the first time in 22 WWC matches  (coincidentally also against SWE in '03 Final), GER allowed a goal in the first half.  The 1-1 tie was broken early in the second half off a great save but the rebound was easily put in giving the Swedes the lead.  After not allowing a goal in 394 minutes, GER now has allowed two in one match.  SWE held on to win 2-1, snapping a streak of 29 straight matches where the team that scored first had won (not including NOR-AUS that went to PSO).  The # 2 team is now out and SWE makes their first semifinal since 2011 and wins their first major tournament match against GER since 1995.

On Saturday,  13 went 1-1 and 31 went 0-2 (11 NED, 2 SWE).  On placement (9 had NED as 1E in SF, 2 had SWE as 2F in SF).  3 lost GER as their champ and 21 others in their Final and 2 lost ITA in the final.  Tom J and UncleChimps are now in first (112 pts) with Futbol Fabone Dix 3rd (111).

8 are still alive and 4 can win the pool, Pazzo Americano (4th-T, 109) has the best chance to win pool (37.5%) while Tom J and UncleChimps have best chance at money (75.0%).  Eggman is 6th-T (108) but is eliminated while Kona Coast Sliders 2 is 31st-T (94) and can still win 4th.  UncleChimps is 1st-T but can't win the pool while THE GAMBLER 1 is 8th-T (107) and can still win the pool.

8 got 3 SFs while two will go 0-for-the-Final-Four, ITA loss eliminated Eggman and Soccerbix (Kds911 can't win 1st).  GER's loss eliminated 6 and 3 from winning the pool.

If you want to know the final 8 scenarios on who will finish in the top 4 prize money slots, the list is now up in the Possibilities and this blog post.