Canada 2015: Women's World Cup Pool

[GirlySports]

Participants:
GirlySports
Mango
M*A*S*H 4077
WCW Nitro
Trojan97
kobasew19

Snake Draft. 4 teams for each player.

Points system.
Group Stage:
If your team wins the group you get 4 points
2nd in the group: 2 points
3rd in the group: 1 point
last in the group: 0 points

Win Round of 16 match: +3 points
Win Quarterfinal: +6 points
Win Semifinal: +9 points
Win 3rd place match: +3 points (3rd place matches are crap)
Win Final: +12 points

I'm getting a neutral party to randomize the draft order, they will post it here. Stay tuned! :)

[GirlySports]

Reminder of the Groups

Group A
Canada
China
New Zealand
Netherlands

Group B
Germany
Cote D'Ivoire
Norway
Thailand

Group C
Japan
Switzerland
Cameroon
Ecuador

Group D
USA
Australia
Sweden
Nigeria

Group E
Brazil
South Korea
Spain
Costa Rica

Group F
France
England
Colombia
Mexico

[sureLoss]

As requested randomized list:

Mango
Trojan97
GirlySports
M*A*S*H 4077
kobasew19
WCW Nitro

[GirlySports]

Thank Sureloss!

Mango you can start anytime.

Make your pick, explain some reasoning and add a picture.
Please PM the next person after your selection.

[Mango]

My first pick is Germany.

Reasoning: They are strong, skilled and technical. I think Nadine Angerer is the best female goalie in the world and if the youngsters at last year's U-20's are any indication, their youth will make a difference. Germany's soccer association has put a lot of money into their programs and you can see the results on the world stage with the men winning the World Cup last year and the U-20 women winning here in Canada in 2014.

http://images.zeit.de/sport/2013-07/nadine-angerer/nadine-angerer-540x304.jpg

[Trojan97]

I'm going to select...

http://memecrunch.com/image/5201cc7cafa96f50df000060.jpg?w=400

'Murca

Reasoning: Despite being in the group of death, you have to respect a team that has only lost two matches in four years. Even if they don't win their pool, I would expect them to end up in second which would most likely give them Brazil in the quarters. I consider that a very winnable game for the US. They're a good team with a manageable path, that's all you can ask for.

[GirlySports]

I'll take...

http://images.lpcdn.ca/641x427/201408/20/894646-claire-lavogez-ete-heroine-victoire.jpg

France!

Good young team, 4th in 2011 and 2012 and 3rd in last years U-20. I think the other contenders are getting old, these upstarts can win it all! Plus French football has improved a lot due to the strong domestic league.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I'll take Japan!

*Sorry, don't know how to do pictures. Help?*

Pretty experienced team in a group that shouldn't pose them too much trouble. Win the group and should make some noise in the knock out rounds

[kobasew19]

I will take the host nation, Canada!!��������������������

We have a gamebreaker in Sinclair, a goalie in LeBlanc who will do whatever it takes to go out on top and the support of the entire country. It also doesn't hurt that the group isn't as tough as the other ones. Go Canada Go!

I will upload pics when I get on my desktop.

[Trojan97]

I will take the host nation, Canada!!��������������������

We have a gamebreaker in Sinclair, a goalie in LeBlanc who will do whatever it takes to go out on top and the support of the entire country. It also doesn't hurt that the group isn't as tough as the other ones. Go Canada Go!

I will upload pics when I get on my desktop.

Hope you win:)

[GirlySports]

I'll take Japan!

*Sorry, don't know how to do pictures. Help?*

Pretty experienced team in a group that shouldn't pose them too much trouble. Win the group and should make some noise in the knock out rounds

find a picture, right click on it and "copy link location"
then click on the image icon up top http://forumcdn.calgarypuck.com/images/calpuck/editor/insertimage.gif and paste.

[WCW Nitro]

http://www.picturesofengland.com/images/england_flags/england-flag-05.gif

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sites/default/files/images/brazil_flag_printables_av2.jpg

England and Brazil: Both in relatively weak groups. Marta may be the best women's player ever. England should finish at least second and have a not so difficult route to at least quarters.

[GirlySports]

So far.

Mango - Germany
Trojan97 - USA
GirlySports - France
M*A*S*H 4077 - Japan
kobasew19 - Canada
WCW Nitro - England

WCW Nitro - Brazil
kobasew19
M*A*S*H 4077
GirlySports
Trojan97
Mango

Mango
Trojan97
GirlySports
M*A*S*H 4077
kobasew19
WCW Nitro

WCW Nitro
kobasew19
M*A*S*H 4077
GirlySports
Trojan97
Mango

[kobasew19]

My next selection is Sweden. They are ranked 5th in the world. Lotta Schelin and midfielder Seger both play in the French league, which according to Girlsports is a strong league. :)

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I'm going to take Spain!

http://www.mapsofworld.com/images/world-countries-flags/spain-flag.gif

I think Spain could challenge Brazil for their group, they seem to be a team on the rise. They should at the very least be able to finish second in the group and make it to the knockout stage

[M*A*S*H 4077]

find a picture, right click on it and "copy link location"
then click on the image icon up top http://forumcdn.calgarypuck.com/images/calpuck/editor/insertimage.gif and paste.

4 years later and I finally learn how to post pictures, thanks!

[GirlySports]

i'll take Norway!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Norway_national_football_team_logo.png

Should be 2nd in Group B and avoid the Germans until the final. Possible QF against the Americans will be the key game.

[WCW Nitro]

Women's soccer teams will be included for first time ever for the Fifa '16 video game.

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/05/28/fifa-16-introduces-female-footballers-for-the-first-time

[Trojan97]

I'll take the Dutch

http://worldcup2015livestreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Netherland-ladies-Football-Team-for-fifa-womens-world-cup.jpg

Reasoning: A young team on the rise. They're in a division where they should be able to pickup enough points to get through to the second round. If they finish second, they get a very winnable quarterfinal game. I'm really trying to get teams that I believe will make it through to the elimination games, I like their chances.

PS- Girly, I love the Norway pick, was hoping they will fall to me. I think they're going to be the underdogs of the tourny.

[WCW Nitro]

Girly sports- this is not a big deal, but may I propose that after round 2 we reset the draft order to 6,5,4,3,2,1,6,5,4,3,2,1. The way the draft is setup, the ppl picking 5 and 6 basically have no chance as they miss out on the top 4 who are heavy favorites and also will miss out on many of the intermediate teams before they get a chance in round 3. I think this way at least 5,6 get to pick before anyone else in rounds 3 and 4 and may make the pool a bit more competitive since the points system is heavily tilted to the semi-finals/finals. Again, it's no big deal to me personally but may just put everyone closer.

[Mango]

Great picks. With Norway, Even Pellerud knows what it's like to play in Canada given his history here. The Dutch are my dark horse pick. Vivianne Miedema is a very special player. She's only 18 and has already scored 19 international goals. She's going to give backlines fits given her style and skill.

My next two selections:

Switzerland

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/5/53/SFV_Logo.svg/150px-SFV_Logo.svg.png

Reasoning: I think they'll finish second in their group. They are trending upward and beat out Italy to earn a spot at the WWC.

Nigeria

http://www.sportsmirchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Nigeria-matches-schedule-for-2015-FIFA-womens-world-cup.jpg

Reasoning: I do believe they are the strongest African team. In a recent scrimmage with Canada, it finished 0:0 and the Canadians were floored at their physical, aggressive performance. They play a man-on-man marking style, which I think might catch some teams off guard. I'd be kicking myself (no pun intended), if I didn't select them.

[GirlySports]

Girly sports- this is not a big deal, but may I propose that after round 2 we reset the draft order to 6,5,4,3,2,1,6,5,4,3,2,1. The way the draft is setup, the ppl picking 5 and 6 basically have no chance as they miss out on the top 4 who are heavy favorites and also will miss out on many of the intermediate teams before they get a chance in round 3. I think this way at least 5,6 get to pick before anyone else in rounds 3 and 4 and may make the pool a bit more competitive since the points system is heavily tilted to the semi-finals/finals. Again, it's no big deal to me personally but may just put everyone closer.

Mango already picked. I don't think it would be that bad because 16 of the 24 teams make the knockout round. So if you're picking back to back 18th and 19th picks, that's a nice advantage over those picking 23rd and 24th, those teams are awful.

You get 1 point for a team finishing 3rd in the group and 4 of those 3rd place teams make the Round of 16. There are always surprises.

[Trojan97]

I'll take South Korea.

http://www.state.gov/img/11/44705/south_korea_flag_454_1.gif

Reasoning: This might be 4 years early but they have a steadily improving group of young talent. I'm hoping Ji So-Yun can replicate her play in England on Canadian soil.

[WCW Nitro]

I'll take Sweden.

http://www.womenssoccerunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sweden.jpg

Reasoning: They've slid further than they probably should have. Pia Sundhage is a great coach and knows the Americans well. In an extremely tough group, an experienced coach could make the difference. At this point, I would be remiss to not take them.

Sweden was already chosen.

[Trojan97]

Sweden was already chosen.

Whoops! I glanced over the pictures, missed that completely. One sec..

[Trojan97]

Did I break the draft?

[GirlySports]

Eh, sorry for the delay. I'm just braindead through the weekend.

I'll take Cameroon. Awesome uniforms

http://lions4life.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Lionesses-WC-squad.png






Mango - Germany
Trojan97 - USA
GirlySports - France
M*A*S*H 4077 - Japan
kobasew19 - Canada
WCW Nitro - England

WCW Nitro - Brazil
kobasew19 - Sweden
M*A*S*H 4077 - Spain
GirlySports - Norway
Trojan97 - Netherlands
Mango - Switzerland

Mango - Nigeria
Trojan97 - South Korea
GirlySports - Cameroon
M*A*S*H 4077
kobasew19
WCW Nitro

WCW Nitro
kobasew19
M*A*S*H 4077
GirlySports
Trojan97
Mango

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I'll take Australia!

http://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/02/34/10/11/2341011_full-lnd.jpg

[kobasew19]

I will take Mexico because I love their cuisine!

[WCW Nitro]

I will take China and Ecuador

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/asia/china/flag.GIF

http://flags.fmcdn.net/data/flags/normal/ec.png

[GirlySports]

Mango - Germany
Trojan97 - USA
GirlySports - France
M*A*S*H 4077 - Japan
kobasew19 - Canada
WCW Nitro - England

WCW Nitro - Brazil
kobasew19 - Sweden
M*A*S*H 4077 - Spain
GirlySports - Norway
Trojan97 - Netherlands
Mango - Switzerland

Mango - Nigeria
Trojan97 - South Korea
GirlySports - Cameroon
M*A*S*H 4077 - Australia
kobasew19 - Mexico
WCW Nitro - China

WCW Nitro - Ecuador
kobasew19
M*A*S*H 4077
GirlySports
Trojan97
Mango

[kobasew19]

Kobasew's 4 Picks:


CANADA
http://www.news1130.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/9/2015/05/15/soccer.jpg

SWEDEN
http://semper.soccersavings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/swedish-world-cup-team.jpg

MEXICO
http://worldcup2015livestreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mexico-Team-Fifa-womens-world-cup-2015.jpg

COLOMBIA
http://worldcup2015livestreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Colombia-team-schedule-for-FIFA-womens-world-cup-2015.jpg

[M*A*S*H 4077]

For my last pick I will take New Zealand and hope they can squeak into the knockout round!

[GirlySports]

I'll take Costa Rica, maybe they can surprise like the men did!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Costa_Rica_football_association.png

[Trojan97]

Down to the Ivory Coast/Thailand.

I will take Ivory Coast.

Reasoning: Not confident in either. The Ivory Coast only lost by 2 to Nigeria and in extra time to Cameroon in the African Cup. In the play-in game, they held on for the majority of the game and then scored late to beat South Africa. I like that they showed an ability to hold on and then execute late.

Thailand played China/South Korea and got smoked both times in the Asian Cup, and they lost 7-0 to the Netherlands in a friendly back in February. Thailand doesn't show well vs anyone besides Vietnam/Myanmar etc so I will go with the #67 ranked underdogs and hope for a miracle.

[Mango]

And I'll grab Thailand...well because I have to :)

[GirlySports]

Update after two rounds of matches. A lot can change in the final group round but here is where we stand. Brazil are the only team who have clinched 1st place. Everyone has a group leader except me :P

Mango
Germany - 4
Switzerland - 2
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 7

Trojan97
USA - 4
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 0
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 5

GirlySports
France - 1
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 1
Costa Rica - 2
Total - 6

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4
Spain - 1
Australia - 2
New Zealand - 0
Total - 7

kobasew19
Canada - 4
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 4
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 2
Brazil - 4
China - 2
Ecuador - 0
Total - 8

[WCW Nitro]

Update after two rounds of matches. A lot can change in the final group round but here is where we stand. Brazil are the only team who have clinched 1st place. Everyone has a group leader except me :P

Mango
Germany - 4
Switzerland - 2
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 7

Trojan97
USA - 4
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 0
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 5

GirlySports
France - 1
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 1
Costa Rica - 2
Total - 6

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4
Spain - 1
Australia - 2
New Zealand - 0
Total - 7

kobasew19
Canada - 4
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 4
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 2
Brazil - 4
China - 2
Ecuador - 0
Total - 8

But it looks like you have the best shot at getting all 4 teams to next round.

[GirlySports]

But it looks like you have the best shot at getting all 4 teams to next round.

Costa Rica needs a point against Brazil. Brazil might rest some players.

[Trojan97]

Mango
Germany - 7
Switzerland - 1
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 9

Trojan97
USA - 4
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 2
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 7

GirlySports
France - 7
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 2
Costa Rica - 1
Total - 12

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4
Spain - 0
Australia - 5
New Zealand - 0
Total - 9

kobasew19
Canada - 7
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 1
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 5
Brazil - 4
China - 5
Ecuador - 0
Total - 14

[WCW Nitro]

Girlysports should get 1 pt for Costa rica, they finished 3rd.

[GirlySports]

After Round of 16

Mango
Germany - 4 + 3 = 7
Switzerland - 1
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 9

Trojan97
USA - 4 + 3 = 7
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 2
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 10

GirlySports
France - 4 + 3 = 7
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 2
Costa Rica - 1
Total - 12

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4 + 3 = 7
Spain - 0
Australia - 2 + 3 = 5
New Zealand - 0
Total - 12

kobasew19
Canada - 4 + 3 = 7
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 1
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 2 + 3 = 5
Brazil - 4
China - 2 + 3 = 5
Ecuador - 0
Total - 14

[GirlySports]

After Quarterfinals

After Round of 16

Mango
Germany - 4 + 3 + 6 = 13
Switzerland - 1
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 15

Trojan97
USA - 4 + 3 + 6 = 13
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 2
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 16

GirlySports
France - 4 + 3 = 7
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 2
Costa Rica - 1
Total - 12

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4 + 3 + 6 = 13
Spain - 0
Australia - 2 + 3 = 5
New Zealand - 0
Total - 18

kobasew19
Canada - 4 + 3 = 7
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 1
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 2 + 3 + 6 = 11
Brazil - 4
China - 2 + 3 = 5
Ecuador - 0
Total - 20

[WCW Nitro]

My England gamble is paying off so far, I had a feeling that finishing 2nd in group F combined with what I thought was an England squad that was going to be very well prepared might lead to a lengthy run.

[GirlySports]

Just the final left!


Mango
Germany - 4 + 3 + 6 = 13
Switzerland - 1
Nigeria - 0
Thailand - 1
Total - 15

Trojan97
USA - 4 + 3 + 6 + 9 = 22
Netherlands - 1
South Korea - 2
Ivory Coast - 0
Total - 25

GirlySports
France - 4 + 3 = 7
Norway - 2
Cameroon - 2
Costa Rica - 1
Total - 12

M*A*S*H 4077
Japan - 4 + 3 + 6 + 9 = 22
Spain - 0
Australia - 2 + 3 = 5
New Zealand - 0
Total - 27

kobasew19
Canada - 4 + 3 = 7
Sweden - 1
Mexico - 0
Colombia - 1
Total - 9

WCW Nitro
England - 2 + 3 + 6 + 0 + 3= 14
Brazil - 4
China - 2 + 3 = 5
Ecuador - 0
Total - 23

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Oh it is on Trojan!

[Trojan97]

I ended up having some family stuff come up and have missed the last 10 days or so of the tournament for the most part. Disappointed I had to rely so strongly on the US team but what a ridiculous final game for them. Thanks to Girly for putting this on and to everyone for playing. I had alot of fun researching my picks and getting behind a tournament i normally would pay little attention to. Looking forward to doing it again in 4 yrs.