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Nottingham Forest have been deducted four points for breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, dropping them into the relegation zone. The club breached the relevant PSR threshold of £61m by £34.5m. The breach was related to the sale of Brennan Johnson, for which Forest received a £30m offer but waited for a better deal, selling him for £47.5m to Tottenham in September. The club claimed their approach was designed to make them more sustainable. However, the Premier League commission described the breach as 'serious' and said the points deduction was needed to maintain the integrity of the league. Despite the sanction, the club was praised for demonstrating 'exceptional cooperation' with the league throughout the disciplinary process.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/18/nottingham-forest-docked-four-points-premier-league-financial-rules-breach-profitability-and-sustainability
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... are from now on only visible to players which participate in the according prediction game.

During an amateur cycling race in Spain, only 52 out of 182 registered riders reached the finish line. There are suspicions that many riders dropped out of the race to avoid potential doping controls at the finish line. This was reported by the Spanish cycling portal ciclo21.com and the radio station 'Onda Cero'. It is a known phenomenon that riders do not compete if there are rumours of doping controls at the finish line. Some riders claimed they quit the race due to tire punctures, crashes, and the difficult track with two mountains and a total of 1500 meters of ascent. Other riders anonymously accused their competitors of quitting the race due to the impending doping controls. The race organizers have not specifically commented on the allegations against the riders who dropped out of the race but have published a statement on their website expressing their opposition to doping.

https://www.spiegel.de/sport/alicante-140-fahrer-bei-radrennen-am-start-nur-50-kommen-ins-ziel-wegen-dopingkontrollen-a-6c8d2cbf-7163-446b-ba1a-ed9f3c7de954
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Nigeria won record 8 bronze medals! No other team ever came close to this number (Ghana has 4). Unfortunately, they are not equally successful at winning gold and silver (3 and 4 respectively). Still, Nigeria are a team with record 15 medals won, better than Egypt (13) and Ghana (10). And they are one win away from adding another one this year.

Nigeria's all-time greats include Nkwankwo KANU, Jay-Jay OKOCHA, Rashidi YEKINI, Finidi GEORGE, Viktor IKPEBA, Taribo WEST, Sunday OLISEH, Emmanuel AMUNIKE, John Obi MIKEL and Daniel AMOKACHI.

The name of today and the future though is Viktor OSIMHEN. He won the 2023 African PotY Award, beating Hakimi and Salah. He's 1st Nigerian in 25yrs (i.e. since Kanu's win in 1999) to have won the prestigeous award! Osimhen is joint-6th in the transfermarkt.de ranking (110MEUR worth; same value as Harry Kane or Declan Rice).

I have revised the page for the Cup contest. The new version is much more organized.

Once upon a time, in the bustling city of London, there existed a grand palace known as the Ally Pally. This palace wasn’t home to kings or queens, but it did house the knights of a different kind of round table – the Professional Darts Corporation. Every year, the bravest and best players in the world would gather here to compete in the PDC World Darts Championship.

In the year 2014, a young lad named Luke Littler, at the tender age of 16, managed to charm his way into the final round of this prestigious championship. With his quick-witted accuracy and a calm demeanor, he managed to outplay many seasoned veterans, earning himself a place in the grand finale.

The final match was to be against the mighty Luke Humphries, a player known far and wide for his piercing throws and unyielding spirit. As the match began, young Littler showed no fear. He took control of the game, leading 4:2 against the experienced Humphries. The crowd was on their feet, cheering for the young underdog who was on his way to a fairytale victory.

However, the winds of fate had a different story to tell. Humphries, sensing the mounting pressure, gathered his strength and experience. He fought back with the tenacity of a lion, refusing to let the young Littler snatch away his dream victory. As the game moved forward, Humphries slowly clawed his way back, turning the tide in his favor.

Eventually, it was Humphries who emerged victorious, winning the match 7:4 against the young Littler. The crowd watched in awe as the experienced Humphries overcame the initial setback to claim his throne in the kingdom of darts. The Ally Pally roared with applause for the new world champion, but also for the young Littler, who, despite the loss, had won the hearts of many.

The fairy tale didn't have the ending that Littler might have dreamed of, but it was a tale of courage, grit, and determination. Young Littler, although defeated, was not broken. He had shown the world his potential and proved that he was a force to be reckoned with in future championships.

And so, the 16-year-old knight of the round dartboard walked away from the tournament, head held high, carrying with him lessons of the game and the experience of a lifetime. As the tale of the PDC World Darts Championship 2014 ended, a new chapter began in the story of Luke Littler, the boy who dared to dream.
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I'll detete the XFL 2024 and USFL 2024 prediction games and create a new UFL 2024 prediction game.
The UFL will have 8 teams (5 from XFL and 3 from USFL).

As the new year makes its grand debut,
To all our players, old and new,
We send you cheer and a hearty hurray,
May luck be yours in the game you play.

From puzzles, riddles, or a guessing spree,
In our world of prediction, you're the key.
So here's to a year of strategic delight,
May your new year predictions be exactly right.

May each guess you make be a winning shot,
And your game strategy hit the right spot.
As the new year bell begins to chime,
Here's to a year of winning, sublime.

As the ball drops, don't forget to cheer,
For all the fun we've had this year.
To all our players, near and far,
Happy New Year, you're our shining star.

So keep on playing, don't lose your spark,
In the realm of guessing, you've made your mark.
To all our champions, big and small,
Happy New Year, best wishes to all!
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Here's the top-6 of most overestimated riders in this Vuelta (some of them dropped out already), as per number of total stars/votes received from predictors at procyclingstats.com vs their actual points score in all stages (all of them actually scored ZERO):

Coquard FRA 4480
De Gendt BEL 879
Higuita COL 868
Mollema 733
Caruso 664
Fraile 488

Some of other clearly underperforming riders (at least vs people's expectations) include:
JP.Lopez, Menten, Hofstetter, Tiberi, G.Thomas, Lazkano, Almeida, Gregoire,

An interesting little stat, which shows with certainty what the prime age for a GC rider is.

The average age of top-10 finishers in the last 10 years is practically the same for each of the three grand tours.

It is: 29

Not totally sure if all the rosters I used were up to date but a good exercise even if only for illustratory purposes anyway. Here are the teams with 10-plus World Cup roster players:

19 Leinster
19 Benetton
19 Fijian Drua
18 Moana Pasifika
17 Toulouse
16 Edinburgh
15 Glasgow
13 Saracens
13 Toulon
12 Lyon
11 La Rochelle
10 Munster
10 Crusaders

As regards stars and big hopes on the team, I think the numbers are not that representative. I took a quick look at some previews (like top-25 players to watch; best player by national team etc) and fantasy values of players on particular positions. Not a rugby expert by any means but here is how many stars and players to watch I found on the best teams:

Teams with 5-plus star-players:

13(!) Leinster, 8 Toulouse, 5 La Rochelle

So a question to experts: Do Leinster really stand out as regards the team quality (by these measures)?

If it helps with a decision re: GC predictions, here is 50days form ranking from pcc.com:

pcc points scored over last 50D - Name

480 Van Aert
423 C.Rodriguez
295 D.van Poppel
218 Pidcock
203 S.Williams
200 Johannessen
193 Tillier
168 Kooij
136 Politt
116 Swift

It doesn't mean GC points, as points are scored in various categories (eg. sprint) but looking at the list, most of the riders are actually GC favourites for this year's ToB so could be a good guideline, esp. outside the seemingly top-2 clear favourites WVA/Pidcock.

Last year's winner and top-6 favourite Serrano only with 20 points but wasn't perhaps riding much (not sure).

Looking at the ELO ratings, there seem to be 3 big absentees this year:

Tottenham H, Juventus, Chelsea

Otherwise, I think the three cups are fully packed with what Europe has to offer.

Pts (each CL team scores 3pts, each EL team 2pts, each ECL team 1pt) - Country - no of CL participants, no of EL participants, no of ECL paticipants


19 Spain 5 2 0
19 England 4 3 1
17 Germany 4 2 1
17 Italy 4 2 1
13 France 2 3 1
11 Portugal 3 1 0
9 Netherlands 2 1 1
8 Belgium 1 1 3
7 Austria 1 2 0
7 Greece 0 3 1
6 Switzerland 1 1 1
6 Serbia 1 1 1
6 Scotland 1 1 1
5 Turkey 1 0 2
5 Czech Rep 0 2 1
4 Denmark 1 0 1
4 Ukraine 1 0 1
3 Israel 0 1 1
3 Norway 0 1 1
3 Poland 0 1 1
2 Azerbaijan 0 1 0
2 Cyprus 0 1 0
2 Moldova 0 1 0
2 Sweden 0 1 0
2 Slovakia 0 0 2
1 Bulgaria 0 0 1
1 Bosnia and Herceg 0 0 1
1 Faroe Islands 0 0 1
1 Finland 0 0 1
1 Croatia 0 0 1
1 Hungary 0 0 1
1 Iceland 0 0 1
1 Kosovo 0 0 1
1 Kazakhstan 0 0 1
1 Slovenia 0 0 1

35 countries in total with at least one rep in the group phase of a European cup.

It is very rare that a rider is physically able to race in all three grand tours in one season.

This year's there are two such riders: Sepp Kuss and LL.Sanchez and it's been 4 years since it happened previous time (T.de Gendt 2019).

In this view, there is one rider in the modern history of cycling that is definitely worth mentioning, not a very big name, he won a stage at Vuelta and one more at Giro. Adam Hansen is his name (age 41 today) and he is an Australian.

His big achievement: he was able to repeat the triple GT appearance on as many as 6 ocassions and this came in consecutive years 2012-2017! Not only appeared but finished them all. The best GC place he ever managed was 53rd though.

I ran quickly through the names on the list 2000-now. Just one rider made 3 appearances (Farrar 2009-2011) while I think all others were able to to this just once in their career (or 2 max if I missed anyone).

So 6 in a row must be a massive physical burden (18 races in 6 years)!

On SEPP KUSS, he is a powerhouse and a superdomestique for the Jumbo big guys (Ving, Roglic), could likely shine on its own in some smaller team. So with the massive effort he contributes in every tour (plus stress as expectations in this team are always high), 3x in a row is a big thing too.

A rather scary piece of news from today. Luckily one of the offenders was caught redhanded.

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/video-spanish-police-arrest-four-men-who-planned-on-sabotaging-vuelta-a-espana-with-400-liters-of-oil

I wonder if it might have something to do with a 'Catalunya not Espana' demonstration? Or maybe just a stupid joke. In any case, it might have had very tragic consequences for the ride

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Uwaga: ten tekst został stworzony przez 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.