Of course for all we know maybe Argentina wouldn't want Geiger either. Maybe everything's working out for our Swedish friend.
US eliminated Algeria too . He's proved he isn't too biased. In actuality, Algeria was practically eliminated already.
I've noticed Eriksson hasn't yet reminded the Argentinian coach where his technical area is. No need to rock that boat.
I hope those predicting Geiger on Germany/Argentina final are right! How long does FIFA keep us waiting?
Just to be clear on my part, I've never predicted Geiger. I still say it's Eriksson. But if Geiger was going to get the game, then this is how. I'd breakdown my thoughts as: Eriksson - 60% Geiger - 21% Proenca - 18% field - 1% Proenca is actually a compelling candidate now. Not facing the Dutch again. No Portuguese connection to Brasil. I think he's ahead of Rizzoli, who has seen Argentina twice already.
If the Swedish guy gets it will Mark at least get the 4th official. Also what about 3rd place match Webb ?
Isn't Sweden too close to Germany for Eriksson to get it ? Even in terms of European countries they have been avoiding that in cross continent games as someone mentioned before.
Betting odds via oddsportal: Rizzoli: even Irmatov 2-1 Proenca 3-1 Ricci 7-2 Eriksson 6-1 Haimoudi 9-1 Geiger 10-1 Webb 11-1
I feel it's between Eriksson and Geiger. Were Holland to have won today, Eriksson would've been a shoe-in - see Webb UEFA vs. UEFA 2010. Now, with Mark's solid performances - and he didn't drop the sub board - I think (hope) that conference neutrality will get him the nod. So Mark, Mark, Joe, Howard for the final.
Rizzoli has had Argentina twice already. A third time is a huge stretch when both Eriksson and Proenca are available. I laid out my thoughts on the final above. I reality, it's either UEFA or Geiger. That's a good place to be. But Proenca will gain steam. There's no reason not to give him the match if it's not Eriksson. He's done 2 major finals (only Webb can also say that). I predict the Proenca bubble will grow in the next 48 hours. 3/4 playoff is a Haimoudi/Irmatov race for me.
Because the 3/4 is the most political appointment in all of world football and concacaf already got a semi. Geiger as 4th to Eriksson or Proenca seems more likely.
My two hopes are that the final either goes to: - Rizzoli, for the possible post-WWII immigration jokes, or - the appointment that contradicts as many of MassRef's theories as possible.
If confederational neutrality matters, this entire thing is shaping up exactly like the 2011 WYC, when... Geiger got the Final after doing the R16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_FIFA_U-20_World_Cup#Knockout_stage It's eerily similar. R16, time off with a 4th in between, Final when it was to major nations from UEFA and CONMEBOL. Of course, this tournament shows confederational neutrality hasn't mattered... but, if it does in the big match...
So Mark and Jonas being 4th officials in the SF isn't throwing you off? Has this happened before where one of the SF 4O gets the final match?