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In case anyone wondered why none of the highly acclaimed GC contenders made it to top-3 or even top-10 today despite favourable odds, today's stage was neutralised (i.e. time stopped) 1km before the Mont Juic climb and 8km before the finish line following safety concerns from the riders (rainy weather in Barcelona yestarday and today).

As a result, there was never a proper GC fight on the punchy finish as originally planned. 8km from the line all GC contenders switched on a tourist ride mode. The podium and Mt Juic intermediate sprint time bonuses still did count.

A lot of postponed matches at season start across all European leagues this year. As a result we have more skipped Rat Race rounds and postponed Cup rounds.
Besides the deliberate attacks of the Russians on civilians in the Ukraine I don't know why matches in Belgium, Bulgaria, Turkey, Czech Republic are postponed this weekend. This makes administration not easier.

Due to the given occasion, here is again the reference to the filter function:
'Player -> Settings' or click on 'filter' on the bottom of the according forum post.

Available only in the new version, but the set filters there are now also work on the old version.

The sprinters field is rather weak as Vuelta doesn't offer too many opportunities for sprinters. The more difficult it will be to predict the sprinters stages. And by the time of Madrid's final sprint on Day 21 this group is likely to be further depleted.

The notable names on the startlist are: Coquard, Thijssen, Groves, Menten, Molano, M.vd Berg, Theuns, Dainese, Hoffsteter, Garcia Cortina, Page, Vendrame. That doesnt' even add up to a full ten of genuine sprinters.

GC and GC-type domestiques. The list might help with GC overall predictions as it is usually the case that only the real leader gets to top-10 while others are fully devoted to help him and often lose time because of that. Not always though. And in some instances it is difficult to say who the leader will be at the start; sometime the leader emerges just over week 1 depending on the current form of potential co-leaders. A big question about the Vingegaard-Roglic tandem, too.

JUMBO-VISMA: Vingegaard, Roglic, Kuss, Kelderman
UAE TEAM EMIRATES: Ayuso, Almeida, Vine
MOVISTAR: Mas
INEOS GRENADIERS: Thomas, Arensman
SOUDAL-QUICK STEP: Evenepoel
TEAM DSM: Bardet, Poole
BAHRAIN-VICTORIOUS: Landa, Poels
JAYCO-ALULA: Dunbar
GROUPAMA: L.Martinez
ARKEA SAMSIC: C.Rodriguez
LIDL TREK: Mollema
EF EDUCATION: Carthy
BORA HANSGROHE: Vlasov, Kamna, Uijtdebroeks, Buchmann

Interesting fact... Guess who the reigning World Cyclo-cross Champion and Runner-up 2023 are :

1. Mathieu van der Poel, 2. Wout van Aert !

I could find just one more road cyclist on the starting list (at least the names I recognise), Clement Venturini, so the rest are pure cyclo-cross specialists I guess, which shows how versatile MvdP and WVA are.

MvdP is actually the first rider in history to win both road race and cyclo-cross championships.

Meanwhile, Filippo Ganna, a recognised ITT specialist wins his 6th world championship at the velodrome today.

The rainbow jersey has been worn by Cycling World Champions since 1927!

It's called rainbow but technically the colours worn are the five colour of the olympic flag circles on a white jersey (for instance, there is no black in the real rainbow).

There is officially a term 'curse of the rainbow jersey' which means statistically its owner typically declines on his performance the following season. There are a few statistical and psychological studies trying to prove/find corelations. Evenepoel has a great chance to break the spell today although the curse probably took its toll already with his forced exit from Giro due to covid when he was really in his prime.

Today's World Championship Road Race starts at 10h40 CET.
Edinburgh-Glasgow 271km
Expected finish time: 16h30-17h45 CET

Highest pcs.com ranked on the startlist are:

Pogacar 1, Evenepoel 2, Philipsen 4, Van Aert 5, M.Pedersen 7, Almeida 9, Skjelmose 10, Laporte 12, M.vd Poel 14, Kooij 23, Powless 24, Kung 30, Hirschi 32, Healy 38, Kristoff 39, Coquard 43, Trentin 45, Madouas 47, Matthews 48, Schmid 49

Bookies favs are:

**** vd Poel, van Aert, Evenepoel
*** Pogacar, Philipsen, M.Pedersen
** Asgreen, Laporte
* Van Baarle, Skjelmose, Kooij, Alaphilippe, Healy

The defending champion from Wollongong AUS 2022 is Evenepoel.

A great gesture from Matej Mohoric, the winner of this year's TdP. He will donate the entire prize money he earned during the race to the victims of most recent floods in Slovenia.

A very unusual situation before the final stage of TdP today, which is supposed to be a sprinters stage.

Almeida trails Mohorić by...ZERO seconds! Mohoric is the leader by fractions of seconds (thx to ITT where the results are measured more precisely).

So today is a mission impossible for Almeida. He simply needs a time bonus, either in intermediate sprint at 67.km or on the finish line. Not being a sprinter (even though he has a sprinter's punch in uphill finishes) it will be almost impossible to beat the professional sprinters but we'll see. 3rd place at intermediate sprint may just prove enough. There is also this crazy last chance idea that Ackermann (who would normally sprint on his own) would be his leadout man at the finish.

And speaking of movie recommendations, as Balazs mentioned Quarterbacks, there's also a new movie (or series?) about the life and the works of Mark Cavendish!

Best-128

47 different countries represented.

Countries with most players qualified for Round 2:

Russia 12, Azerbaijan 11, India 9, Germany 8, USA 7, Ukraine 5, France 5, China 4, Poland 4

chatGPT as a rugby player who hates football in form of several limericks:

In football's table they stand,
Teams battle for glory in this land,
But as a rugby player,
I find it all a bore,
As I chase an oval ball in my hand.

Elfsborg sits at the top,
With 39 points, they just won't stop,
But I care not for their skills,
Or their penalty shoot-out thrills,
For rugby is the game that I'll swap.

Häcken and Malmö fight for place,
With points and goals, their pace they chase,
But I'll pass on this drama,
With its dives and fake trauma,
Give me a scrum, a ruck, and a chase.

Djurgårdens' goal difference is small,
But in rugby, that doesn't matter at all,
For it's tries we seek,
Not just goals in a week,
Football's drama, to me, feels so small.

Norrköping, Kalmar, and Halmstads,
All battling for the middle spots they have,
But I'll stick to my sport,
Where teamwork is taught,
And where tackling brings more applause.

The table changes, rearranged,
But my rugby love, it remains unchanged,
For on the rugby field I'm free,
From football's monotony,
And in scrums and mauls, my heart is engaged.

So, let the football fans cheer,
As the table shifts and becomes clear,
For me, rugby is the game,
Where passion and strength truly flame,
And I'll keep kicking that oval ball, my dear.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

ChatGPT acting as a cranky conspiracy theorist on the current table:

Ah, the football tables, the perfect tool for deception and manipulation. Let me tell you, my friend, there is something fishy going on here. These tables, oh boy, they seem to have been magically transformed overnight. It's almost like someone waved a wand and changed the positions of the teams.

Now, take a look at this. Botafogo, the team sitting comfortably at the top of the table, suddenly gains 3 points and extends their lead. Suspicious, isn't it? And what about SE Palmeiras and Flamengo? They both conveniently jump up the table, leaving Grêmio Porto Alegrense behind. It's as if they were given a boost, a little push up the ladder.

But it doesn't end there, my friend. RB Bragantino, Fluminense, and Club Athletico Paranaense, all of them magically climbing up the ranks. And let's not forget about poor Corinthians, losing ground and slipping down the table. How convenient for those in power, isn't it?

And what about the goal differences? Look at how they've changed. It's almost like someone is trying to make it seem more believable, more natural. But I see through their tricks.

Oh, and let's not forget the mysterious case of Goiás EC. They've been stuck at 16 points for ages, never really moving up or down. It's almost like someone is intentionally keeping them in that spot, preventing any progress.

My friend, this is all a grand conspiracy. The powers that be are manipulating these tables to control the narrative, to shape the outcome of the league. It's all about money, power, and influence. Don't be fooled by these tables, they are nothing but a facade, a smokescreen to distract us from the truth.

Stay vigilant, my friend, and question everything. These football tables are just another tool in the hands of the puppeteers pulling the strings.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Just read that top riders in the peloton, the likes of Pogacar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel can count on ca. 6 MEUR per season. I think it compares to a very good NHL player.

I guess this is not bad. Honestly I thought they make less, esp compared to grand tour prize money which is ridiculous.

Today starts TdP 2023. As many as 5 former winners are taking part in this edition:

Almeida 2021, Sivakov 2019, Kwiatkowski 2018, Wellens 2016, Majka 2014

Almeida is top-fav to win TdP for the 2nd time, Kwiatkowski and Sivakov mentioned by most experts as favourites for top-6 and Majka and Wellens still outsiders to win, too.

I forgot to create/prepare a tournament prediction for the forthcoming ECB One-Day Tournament 2023 prediction game. As a result there won't be tournament prediction this year.

The final phase of the stage reminded me of the famous fairytale about the Hare and the Tortoise and their race. I read a review saying that the peloton was arogant enough to underestimate the breakaway. The gap was very small all the way over the last 30-40km, in 99 percent similar cases it would be totally controllable. It's not that it started big and then gradually melted down. Even 1km before the finish line I was sure that the escapees had no chance. Great win. Looked like sprinters didn't care.

A tactical thought for tomorrow then. Will the sprinters teams be disappointed because of what happened today and will like to control the likely breakaway better? Hard to say as there are only 2-3 genuine sprinters left in the peloton so only 2-3 teams will really be interested in chasing the break. May not be a sufficient motivation, esp that the royal Champs Elysee sprinters stage is just around the corner.

Another question mark. Will Philipsen finally give his top leadout man M.van der Poel some freedom and let MVdP shine this one time? I think MVdP really deserves this type of recognition after leading out Philipsen to 4 sprint victories. And he's a perfect candidate from a breakaway/reduced sprint. It's not that likely that they could both finish top-10 so a right guess which of the two will go for it tomorrow (instead of putting both in top-3-5) would free up some space in top-10 entries that could bring extra points spent on another rider.

Wow, look at that! The football season has finally started, and we have a grand total of... one match played. Such an exciting time to be alive! Let's take a look at the table, shall we?

In first place, we have FC Krumovgrad with a whopping 3 points. I'm sure they're already planning their victory parade. And right behind them, we have FC CSKA 1948 Sofia, Lokomotiv Sofia, Beroe Stara Zagora, and Slavia Sofia, all tied with 3 points as well. It's a real nail-biter, folks!

Moving on to the middle of the table, we have Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Botev Plovdiv, FC Arda Kardzhali, Cherno More Varna, FC Hebar Pazardzhik, CSKA Sofia, all with 1 point each. I'm sure they're all feeling incredibly accomplished after that one match.

And then we have Levski Sofia, Botev Vratsa, Pirin Blagoevgrad, Etar Veliko Tarnovo, Ludogorets Razgrad, all with 0 points. Don't worry, guys, there's still plenty of time to turn things around. Or not. Who knows?

Well, that's it for now, folks. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates on the exciting world of one-match football tables. Can you feel the excitement in the air? I know I can't.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Brutal stage, amazing how Petit manage to get to the finish.. and within time limits

1 R.Madrid
2 Barcelona
3.Man Utd

4.Chelsea, 5.Liverpool, 6.Arsenal, 7.Man City, 8.PSG, 9.Juventus, 10.Milan

Five of these I like and five I don't...

And lo, it came to pass that in the land of Germany, there arose a football club known as Borussia Mönchengladbach. And the fame of this club spread far and wide, reaching the ears of many throughout the land.

For it was in the year of our Lord, 1900, that this club was founded, and it began its journey in the lower leagues. But through perseverance and dedication, Borussia Mönchengladbach ascended to the pinnacle of German football, achieving great success and glory.

And as the club rose in stature, so did its supporters multiply. For the people of Germany, they were drawn to the spirit and passion displayed by this team. They witnessed the beauty of the game, the skillful play, and the unwavering commitment of the players.

But it was not only the success on the field that captivated the hearts of the people. No, it was something deeper, something intangible that resonated within their souls. Borussia Mönchengladbach became a symbol of unity, a representation of the collective spirit of the German people.

The supporters saw themselves reflected in the club's values of hard work, determination, and loyalty. They saw in Borussia Mönchengladbach a team that fought for every inch, that never gave up, and that played with a fervor unmatched by any other.

And so, the supporters flocked to the stadiums, clad in the colors of their beloved club. They sang songs of praise and chanted the names of their heroes. They stood together, united in their love for Borussia Mönchengladbach, creating an atmosphere that could be felt throughout the land.

For it was not just the people of Mönchengladbach who embraced this club, but people from all corners of Germany. They saw in Borussia Mönchengladbach a symbol of hope, a beacon of inspiration that transcended geographical boundaries.

And thus, the club's supporters multiplied, spreading like wildfire across the nation. They carried the name of Borussia Mönchengladbach with pride, proclaiming it to all who would listen. They became ambassadors of the club, spreading its message of unity and passion to every corner of Germany.

So it is written, that Borussia Mönchengladbach has so many supporters throughout Germany because they embody the spirit of the people. They have captured the hearts and minds of the nation, becoming a symbol of hope, unity, and unwavering devotion. And as long as the club continues to shine, so shall its supporters continue to multiply, for they are bound together by a love that knows no bounds.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Messi or CR7, the debate's been real,
Two legends in the game, can't deny the skill they feel,
Messi's got finesse, with dribbles smooth as silk,
While CR7's power and precision, like a thundering milk.

Messi's like a magician, with a ball at his feet,
Making defenders dance, with every move he'll cheat,
CR7's athleticism, takes him to new heights,
Heading goals like a beast, with exceptional might.

Messi's vision on the field, unmatched and sublime,
Setting up goals, with a pass like a dime,
But CR7's lethal precision, inside the box,
Scoring bangers after bangers, like a true goal-scoring fox.

Messi's creativity, it knows no bounds,
Changing the game, with every touch, every sound,
Yet CR7's confidence and style, they never fade,
Pushing boundaries, with every shot that's made.

In the end, it's a never-ending debate,
Who's the better player, it's a choice we can't relate,
Messi or CR7, both legends in their own right,
Admire their greatness, as they continue to ignite.

--- the model from the website returned this version:

In the realm of football, the debate takes flight,
Messi and CR7, the stars shining bright.
Messi, finesse like a magician with the ball,
Dribbling through defenses, he can conquer all.

CR7, a powerhouse with strength untamed,
His aerial prowess, goals that can't be tamed.
Messi, with his grace and agility so rare,
Creating chances, leaving defenders in despair.

CR7, the epitome of speed and power,
A lethal finisher, even in the final hour.
Messi, the maestro, orchestrating the game,
Precision passes, leaving opponents in shame.

Who's the better player? It's a question we ponder,
For both have left a legacy, forever to wander.
In the end, it's a matter of personal belief,
Both Messi and CR7, legendary beyond belief.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Teams in the Nigerian league often perform well in their home games due to several factors:

1. Home advantage: Playing on familiar ground with the support of local fans gives teams a psychological boost, creating a positive atmosphere that motivates players to perform better.

2. Familiarity with the pitch: Teams have more experience and understanding of their home pitch, allowing them to exploit its characteristics, such as its dimensions, surface, or conditions, to their advantage.

3. Travel fatigue: Nigerian league involves traveling long distances, which can be physically and mentally exhausting for away teams. This fatigue can affect their performance, giving the home team an advantage.

4. Crowd support: Nigerian fans are known for their passion and vocal support, creating a lively and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. The extra support from fans often energizes the home team and puts extra pressure on the away team.

5. Acclimatization: Due to Nigeria's diverse climates, teams playing in their home cities are more acclimatized to local weather conditions. Visitors, especially from regions with different climates, may struggle to adapt to the heat or humidity, impacting their performance.

6. Home tactics: Coaches often design specific game plans for home matches, tailored to exploit the strengths of their team and the weaknesses of the visiting team. This strategic approach can give the home team an advantage.

7. Referee bias: In some cases, there have been allegations of biased refereeing favoring the home team in the Nigerian league. While this may not be a significant factor, it can contribute to the home team's success.

Overall, the combination of home advantage, crowd support, familiarity with the pitch, and potential factors like travel fatigue and acclimatization contribute to teams in the Nigerian league performing well in their home games.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Task: Please use the Alexandrine verse line describing the course of the 1970 FIFA final Brazil vs Italy?

Answer:
In 1970, a final stage so grand,
Brazil and Italy took the stand.
The FIFA World Cup's ultimate fight,
A spectacle of football's might.
Skillful samba triumphed on the sand.

The fiercest rivalry in Bulgarian football is generally considered to be between PFC Levski Sofia and PFC CSKA Sofia. These two clubs, based in the capital city of Sofia, have a long-standing history of intense competition both on and off the field. The matches between Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia, often referred to as the 'Eternal Derby' or 'Sofia Derby,' are highly anticipated and draw significant attention from fans across the country.

The rivalry between Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia goes beyond football and has historical and cultural roots. It is intertwined with the broader social and political dynamics of Bulgaria, as well as the clubs' fan bases. The matches are known for their passionate atmosphere, with fans displaying unwavering support for their respective teams.

Both Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia have enjoyed success in Bulgarian football, and their encounters have often determined the outcome of domestic championships. The rivalry has produced memorable moments, heated confrontations, and intense emotions, making it one of the most fiercely contested and followed rivalries in Bulgarian football.
Примечание: этот текст был создан ChatGPT.

Nyck De Vries was sacked by AlphaTauri. His seat will be filled by Daniel Ricciardo.

With Schalke and Hertha going down and Darmstadt and Heidenheim going up, the number of spectators in 1. Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga will converge.

https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/zuschauer/2022-23/
https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/zuschauer/2022-23/
https://www.kicker.de/3-liga/zuschauer/2022-23/

The French Open / Men's singles 2023 prediction game is now open for registration. You can sign up here.

I nearly forgot to program the Shield contest for the new version. It was somehow a disliked feature to me.
I did some programming and as a result the Shield contest is now also available for motor racing, horse racing, cycling and event based prediction games.

Now... I like it a lot because it's completely different to the other contests.
You can win a gold, silver or bronze shield. And for most of the football prediction games, nobody wins anything!

Maybe a good addition to our 'official' contests.

Interesting, thanks for checking that it ,it actually confirms a feeling I had.
In the early days of the site/game after the initial almost totally German first years we had quite a few South and southern African players but I do sadly also remember a large majority of them rage quit over some issues or issue. We retained some initially but I guess that’s even dropped off now, that’s a pity.

Sergey, i think it’s the other way round ?

Hi guys,does not appear to have been closed/finished.

I added the Second Qualifying stage to the Copa Libertadores 2023 prediction game. With now 17 rounds (+2) the first match will be played Feb 22 instead Mar 7.

Don't forget to enter your tournament prediction until Nov 20th (today), 17:00 CET.

Some new players fail to create an account, because they don't select any prediction game to begin with. The corresponding error message is often overlooked...

The 2022 FIFA World Cup prediction game is now selected by default. I hope that helps.

Thank you!

And this after selecting the wrong Thomas (finger trouble) on Stage 17 and missing out on 8 points. My own fault....

The new version offers two shortcuts.
Left to the prediction game selectbox is a link to the dashboard of the currently selected prediction game.
Right to the prediction game selectbox is a link to the discussion forum.

I started the Challenge contest to this prediction game.

The Challenge contest was part of a previous edition, but I don't know why I didn't add the Challenge contest last year.

A lot of changes (20+) on the startlist for the Tour de Romandie which starts tomorrow.

Please check and change your predictions.

Well done Mark! I am kinda new and still have to get to the podium! :)

Unlucky bro

Yes! I'm part of OG prediction game history :) A ''little'' olympian :)

Am i the only one who can see what's happening in league 3A (in bundesliga 2021/22 section)?

The NRL has announced Saturday's games have been called off and all 16 clubs have been placed on level four biosecurity protocols in the wake of the Queensland government announcing a snap three-day lockdown on Saturday morning.
The games affected are -
Dragons v Rabbitohs
Knights v Raiders
Storm v Panthers

A small glimpse to a new stats feature of the new version:

Let's assume the Olympic Games will start in a few weeks ...
I'll start the according prediction games in the next days.

Most of the 20/21 prediction games are over.
I'd like to thank all admins for their hard work!

I wasn't sure if it would be doable to maintain nearly 100% of the prediction games with postponed/cancelled matches during the COVID pandemic.
It worked pretty well. Thanks again!

Notice: I added both qualification rounds to the prediction game, 9 matches. Deadline for the tournament prediction is still the beginning of round #1.

I have to postpone the new version until later this year. All basic functionality is finished, but I still need several month to improve the usability.
There is no way to switch to the new version like planed (before EURO/Olympics). Sorry!

I'm totally exhausted. I need a break from programming.

In a few days the admins will find a link to the new version on the admin page. Feedback would be nice.

Wrong team is rangers vs slavis Prada in the quarter finals not Leicester city