Rock Hard Championship Challenge Cup -- Small Rocks and Very Small Rocks Fight It Out

[Hal]

Teams get 3 points for a 1 and 1 for a draw in this 3 match, phase 2 of the competition. (W-L) and (Pts differential) are show in parenthesis while the match winner is shown in bold.
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Gameweeks 11, 18, 25
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(In Group B, note that The Class Acts is lead on total points but still lost 2 of 3 matches.)

Group A:
Aviators (2-1) (131-128) vs 1800-France.com (34-33) (42-54) (55-41)
DC Chickenhawks vs London St. Germain 3 (2-1) (153-136); (38-28) (49-71) (49-54)
Kopite Juniors vs AS St-Lambert (3-0) (140-95); (28-55) (38-51) (29-34)
WinningConnection vs Nocturnal United (2-1) (177-164); (61-40) (66-87) (37-50)

Group B:
KC Dynamo vs TVDPhenomenoms (2-1) (176-126); (48-43) (40-88) (28-45)
sporting-FC colombia (3-0) (136-102) vs RamRod FC (32-25) (57-54) (47-23)
The Class Acts vs FC Springfield (2-1) (83-98); (25-27)
(14-22) (59-34)
Windsor Wanderers (2-1) (158-126) vs Ajax Reserves (39-41) (58-51) (61-34)



Corrected the Bold and winner in The Class Acts vs FC Springfield Group B match.

[United Forever]

Corrected the Bold and winner in The Class Acts vs FC Springfield Group B match.

Yea but is was still nice to see Ronaldo TORMENT FC Springfield!! :p

[Hal]

Teams get 3 points for a 1 and 1 for a draw in this 3 match, phase 2 of the competition. (W-L) and (Pts differential) are show in parenthesis while the match winner is shown in bold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gameweeks 12, 19, 26
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Group A:
1800-France.com (2-1) (184-146) vs WinningConnection (52-43) (86-56) (46-47)
AS St-Lambert (2-1) (129-115) vs DC Chickenhawks (55-38) (36-46) (38-31)
London St. Germain 3 (2-0-1) (149-120) vs Kopite Juniors (36-36) (69-44) (44-40)
Nocturnal United vs Aviators (2-1) (155-133); (63-52) (33-52) (37-51)

Group B:
Ajax Reserves vs sporting-FC colombia (3-0) (173-103); (26-44) (36-74) (41-55)
FC Springfield (3-0) (152-103) vs KC Dynamo (28-23) (71-42) (53-38)
RamRod FC vs Windsor Wanderers (2-1) (155-131); (37-46) (42-71) (52-38)
TVDPhenomenoms (3-0) (152-93) vs The Class Acts (55-44) (49-25) (48-24)

[Hal]

Need to reflect 4 score adjustments: Aviators and Sporting FC Columbia are +3 points for Vieira getting the assist which was taken from Ljungberg, so DC Chickenhawks and FC Springfield drop 3 points. The changes did not impact who won the 3 match competition between the teams.

Teams get 3 points for a 1 and 1 for a draw in this 3 match, phase 2 of the competition. (W-L) and (Pts differential) are show in parenthesis while the match winner is shown in bold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gameweeks 12, 19, 26
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Group A:
1800-France.com (2-1) (184-146) vs WinningConnection (52-43) (86-56) (46-47)
AS St-Lambert (2-1) (129-112) vs DC Chickenhawks (55-38) (36-46) (38-28)
London St. Germain 3 (2-0-1) (149-120) vs Kopite Juniors (36-36) (69-44) (44-40)
Nocturnal United vs Aviators (2-1) (158-133); (63-52) (33-52) (37-54)

Group B:
Ajax Reserves vs sporting-FC colombia (3-0) (176-103); (26-44) (36-74) (41-58)
FC Springfield (3-0) (149-103) vs KC Dynamo (28-23) (71-42) (50-38)
RamRod FC vs Windsor Wanderers (2-1) (155-131); (37-46) (42-71) (52-38)
TVDPhenomenoms (3-0) (152-93) vs The Class Acts (55-44) (49-25) (48-24)

[1800-WorldCup]

With the last league matches to play before we enter the knockout stage, it's looking close at the top of Group A.

Group A Standings
1800-France.com -- 36 points (+49)
Aviators -- 36 points (+27)
London St. Germain 3 -- 34 points (+54)
WinningConnection -- 33 points (+49)
AS St-Lambert -- 33 points (+45)
DC Chickenhawks -- 28 points (-34)
Kopite Juniors -- 22 points (-129)
Nocturnal United -- 16 points (-71)

If both 1800-France.com and Aviators win, they will be seperated on difference, with 1800-France.com currently holding a +22 advantage. If they tie on difference, Aviators will take the top spot.

London St. Germain 3 need them both to slip up and win their own match against AS St-Lambert.

WinningConnection and AS St-Lambert are both knocking on the door with 33 points (and healthy differentials). They need wins and hope that the top two lose.

WinningConnection had that in their own destiny but to be honest, it looks like Aviators' provisional lead should hold; WinningConnection only have an extra point for Heskey (on the bench).

The bottom three places in Group A are assured:
A6 = DC Chickenhawks
A7 = Kopite Juniors
A8 = Nocturnal United

Gameweek 27 -- Last Fixtures (Provisional Scores):

1800-France.com vs Nocturnal United (44-15)

+29 dif with Crouch (Southampton, str) still to play for 1800-France.com

AS St-Lambert vs London St. Germain 3 (45-30)

AS St-Lambert still have to sub-in A. Svensson (Southampton, mid) or Clement (West Brom, def).

London St. Germain 3 still have two-goal FA Cup hero, Camara (Southampton) to play.

Aviators vs WinningConnection (70-49)

+21 advantage (should be shaved to +20)

DC Chickenhawks vs Kopite Juniors (18-47)

The fightback from Kopite Juniors came a little late.

http://1800-WorldCup.com/fantasy/group_a.htm

[1800-WorldCup]

It's a two-horse race at the top of Group B.... and to keep it exciting, they play each other in this final match

before the knockout stage..... winner takes all!

If it's a draw, FC Springfield go through as League Champions and TVDPhenomenons will be the runner-up.

Group B Standings
FC Springfield -- 42 points (+99)
TVDPhenomenons -- 40 points (+144)
Windsor Wanderers -- 37 points (+126)
sporting-FC colombia -- 33 points (+108)
Ajax Reserves -- 27 points (-78)
KC Dynamo -- 22 points (-137)
RamRod FC -- 19 points (-131)
The Class Acts -- 18 points (-143)

Windsor Wanderers could nick 2nd place if they win against sporting-FC colombia and TVDPhenomenons

lose in the top-of-the-table clash. TVDPhenomenons do have a +18 differential advantage going into the final

furlong, though.... and they just clinched the head-to-head best of three (on differential), if there's a tie.

Exciting stuff for the top three then.

Places already assured:
B4 = sporting-FC colombia
B5 = Ajax Reserves

The bottom three are all still jockeying for position.

KC Dynamo only need a point against The Class Acts to assure the B6 slot.

If KC Dynamo win, then the relatively inactive RamRod FC will secure B7 and The Class Acts will have to

settle with B8.

A win for The Class Acts could give them B7, if RamRod FC lose or draw with Ajax Reserves.

RamRod FC could spring still a surprise and slip into B6, if they beat Judy's men and KC Dynamo lose.

Gameweek 27 -- Last Fixtures (Provisional Scores):

FC Springfield vs TVDPhenomenoms (34-50)

It looks like TVDPhenomenoms will qualify as B1 and FC Springfield as B2.

RamRod FC vs Ajax Reserves (16-39)

RamRod have one point on the bench and the remote chance of Sakiri (West Brom) playing -- although he's only amassed 178 minutes all season.

The Class Acts vs KC Dynamo (12-14)

This is a real wooden spoon race.... one that's beating the fans to death with boredom.

Windsor Wanderers vs sporting-FC colombia (54-34)

The clever money is on Wanderers to get B3..... win, or lose.

http://1800-WorldCup.com/fantasy/group_b.htm

[1800-WorldCup]

The 21 games played in each league during the 2nd Phase (http://1800-worldcup.com/fantasy/second_phase.htm), were just the managers jockying for position and getting a feel for team rotation.

Now the Rock Hard Championship Challenge Cup starts getting serious.

Place your bets, as we go for gold in the Knockout Stage.

The cup draw seedings were pre-determined at the start of the challenge competition (http://1800-worldcup.com/fantasy/challenge.htm).

The Knockout Stage

Second Round (Best of Three)
Gameweeks 28, 29, 30

1) 1A vs 5B
5) 3B vs 7A

4) 4A vs 8B
8) 2B vs 6A

2) 2A vs 6B
6) 4B vs 8A

3) 3A vs 7B
7) 1B vs 5A


Quarter Finals (Home and Away)
Gameweeks 31 and 32

(1 vs 5)
(4 vs 8)

(2 vs 6)
(3 vs 7)

Semi Finals (Go for Broke -- 1 Game Only)
Gameweek 33

Winner of (1 vs 5)
plays
Winner of (4 vs 8)

Winner of (2 vs 6)
plays
Winner of (3 vs 7)

Kudos Time

The Play-off (Best of 2)
Gameweeks 35 and 37
___________________________

Rock Hard Final (Best of 5)
Gameweeks 34-38

http://1800-worldcup.com/fantasy/knockout.htm

[1800-WorldCup]

This Much is Definitie

Second Round (Best of Three)
Gameweeks 28, 29, 30

1) 1A vs Ajax Reserves
5) 3B vs Kopite Juniors

4) 4A vs 8B
8) 2B vs DC Chickenhawks

2) 2A vs 6B
6) sporting-FC colombia vs Nocturnal United

3) 3A vs 7B
7) 1B vs 5A

=======================================
=======================================
This is Very Provisional

1) 1800-France.com vs Ajax Reserves
5) Windsor Wanderers vs Kopite Juniors
4) London St. Germain 3 vs The Class Acts
8) FC Springfield vs DC Chickenhawks

2) Aviators vs KC Dynamo
6) sporting-FC colombia vs Nocturnal United
3) AS St-Lambert vs RamRod FC
7) TVDPhenomenons vs WinningConnection
=======================================
=======================================

In which case, I predict 1800-France.com to fall at the first hurdle and Aviators to make the semis.

[1800-WorldCup]

Knockouts are based on score difference.

In the event of a tie, the team making the least transfers wins.

The highest team value, going into the last of the games, comes into play if the tie is still drawn.

[Hal]

Knockouts are based on score difference.

In the event of a tie, the team making the least transfers wins.

The highest team value, going into the last of the games, comes into play if the tie is still drawn.

FOUL !!!!

Looks like an anti-Aviators and Ajax Reserves Tiebreaker Rule !!

Penalize the active managers and reward the inactive managers. Hmmmm.

Well, I guess the Aviators and Ajax Reserves (who have made 59 transfers under the new management) will just have to kick ass heads up to preclude the tiebreaker coming into play!! ;)

[1800-WorldCup]

FOUL !!!!

Looks like an anti-Aviators and Ajax Reserves Tiebreaker Rule !!

Penalize the active managers and reward the inactive managers. Hmmmm.

Well, I guess the Aviators and Ajax Reserves (who have made 59 transfers under the new management) will just have to kick ass heads up to preclude the tiebreaker coming into play!! ;)

They were the tiebreaks at the start of the tourney.

In all fairness, managers making no transfers shouldn't be able to compete over a best of three.

[Hal]

This Much is Definitie

This is Very Provisional

1) 1800-France.com vs Ajax Reserves
5) Windsor Wanderers vs Kopite Juniors
4) London St. Germain 3 vs The Class Acts
8) FC Springfield vs DC Chickenhawks

2) Aviators vs KC Dynamo
6) sporting-FC colombia vs Nocturnal United
3) AS St-Lambert vs RamRod FC
7) TVDPhenomenons vs WinningConnection
=======================================
=======================================

In which case, I predict 1800-France.com to fall at the first hurdle and Aviators to make the semis.


Provisional Handicap:

Blackburn, Chelsea, Liverpool, and West Brom have no game in GameWeek 28.

1) 1800-France.com vs Ajax Reserves

Currently, and I expect transfer activity to correct this), Michel has 4 field players with no game while Judy has only 1. Judy's (aka Hal in drag) strike force is an unknown with the new strikers, but her GK is top notch. Favor Ajax Reserves to win this first match in the best of three. How much will Crouch play with Phillips possibly returning, and how much playing time will Keane yield to Pandini?

5) Windsor Wanderers vs Kopite Juniors

Currently, Andrew has 6 field players and a GK with no game on Gameweek 28.
Chloe (aka Mark) currently has 5 field players with no game on Gameweek 28.
Both managers might enter the transfer market, or might not since both seem to have multiple absences due to no games. As of now, Kopite Juniors has the edge for GW 28, but I think Windsor Wanderers has the stronger team when all players have games.

4) London St. Germain 3 vs The Class Acts

Jon is also hit with the fixture bug, with 6 players having no game, (including the injured Robben). Brian has only 1 field player with no game. Absent lots of transfer activity, Brian is a prohibitive favorite for GW 28. Even with transfer activity, Jon might not be able to get enough quality from the free agent pool to challenge Brian this week. He may hunker down and hope to sweep the last two games in the best of 3 match.

8) FC Springfield vs DC Chickenhawks

Currenty, Andre has 3 field players with no game for GW 28. Jay only has two field players with no game. In addition, I expect that Bergkamp's red card in the FA cup match will have him suspended for a couple of weeks. Advantage to Jay for Week 28.

2) Aviators vs KC Dynamo

Hal will be missing the Chelsea GK and a Chelsea defender due to no game in GW28. Good news for Hal is that his back-up keeper is the 2nd highest scoring keeper this season. Chris has 4 field players with no game, plus Anelka who is out of the EPL, plus 2 others injured. This game will be a walkover for Hal's Aviators

6) sporting-FC colombia vs Nocturnal United

Wesley only has one field player absent due to no game, but he also still has Gravesen, who's out of the EPL, and the injured Smith. Jason has 3 field players with no games (one of whom has yet to play a minute and is loaned out of EPL so no surprise as a non-contributing asset). Jason also has 2 injured players. How Jason fares will depend on how well his Man U trio of Rooney, Scholes, and Ronaldo fare against Wesley's Giggs. Absences favor Wesley, but Jason has a strong, high scoring ManU trio that just might carry the day. I'm looking for Jason's Nocturnal United to pull an upset for GW 28 and nip Wesley's Sporting FC Columbia.

3) AS St-Lambert vs RamRod FC

Jean-Michel has 5 field players and one GK with no game in GW 28. He also has Beattie who is suspended. Justin has 3 field players and one GK who also have no game in GW28. However, his absences are more bit players anyway. In a quirk coincidence, Justin also has the suspende Beattie. Absent lots of transfer activity, (and who's available anyways?) I pick Justin's Ramrod FC to beat Jean-Michel's ASSL in GW 28 and for Jean-Michel to win the next two games to win the match.

7) TVDPhenomenons vs WinningConnection

Interesting match-up of the two league table toppers.

Tom has 2 field players (one of whom is injured anyway) and a zero minute back-up goalkeeper with no games this week. He also is still carrying the departed Bellamy and has two Norwich defenders who have yet to play a minute this season. Jonathan has 4 field players with no game and the suspended Bergkamp. I favor Tom's TVD Phenomenons to win this week on the strength of Henry, Scholes, and Shawn Wright-Phillips over Jonathan's team missing his big Chelsea guns. Jonathan will be competitive for the last two games of this best of three match. Should be a good one to watch.

[1800-WorldCup]

Oh yes Hal,

My transfers were already announced in the PremierLeague forum.

;)

OUT:
Emerton, Blackburn, Midfield, 7.2
Crouch, Southampton. Striker, 6.6
Jaidi, Bolton, Defender, 4.4
Todd, Blackburn, Defender, 4.1
Savage, Blackburn, Midfield, 5.9

In:
Davies, Tottenham, Midfield, 7.1
Fowler, Man City, Striker, 7.2
Ben Haim, Bolton, Defender, 4.2
Riggott, Middlesbrough, Defender, 5.3
Clark, Fulham, Midfield, 6.3

[United Forever]

I really hope I face LSG 3. He and me are probably the most inconsistent teams this season. Plus I have the in form Ronaldo and RUUD!! coming back next week :)

[1800-WorldCup]

If anyone wants to suggest a better tiebreaker before the knockout stage gets underway, feel free to do so.

Maybe team value?

Most clean sheets, most goals scored, most assists?

Whatever..... put them in deciding order.

I really wanted something easy that didn't mean looking at every week's games between the teams.

But as Hal points out, least transfers might not be the fairest way to reward managers active in the transfer market.

After all, the fun of these games is the transfers for the cups.... and some managers seem very inactive.

My thinking was that an 'inactive' manager this late in the season shouldn't really be in a tie-break at the end of the games.

The final is over five games, remember, so we need tiebreaks that are easy enough to determine.

[United Forever]

Maybe who has the most points in respective leagues?

[1800-WorldCup]

Maybe who has the most points in respective leagues?

That penalises transfers too.

[United Forever]

That penalises transfers too.

Oh yea that is true. Maybe the head to head between the two teams in earlier encounters.

[1800-WorldCup]

Oh yea that is true. Maybe the head to head between the two teams in earlier encounters.

That's a good one.

But not all teams played each other, as we were in two leagues.

[United Forever]

That's a good one.

But not all teams played each other, as we were in two leagues.

Still a good way though.