The Offical Democratic Underground World Cup Challenge

[insanity]

It's almost time for the Copa Mundial and what better way to enjoy the action than a friendly challenge? I know I've been biding my time, counting down the days until I can sit down and watch the beautiful game played at its highest stage. So, here are the details:

A group-stage pickem' challenge. Get the correct result for a match, get points. Get the correct scores for one of the teams, get more points. Get the entire score-line right, get the most points. Over the last few months I've been writing a World Cup group stage workbook for usage in a similar competition with friends, so I figured I would offer to expand it out to the DU community. If you're interested here's what you'll do:

1.Head over to my personal server. I've created a temporary website to host the download and allow uploads.
2.Download the Pickem' sheet. This is an xls file that works in either excel or OpenOffice.
3.The Pickem' sheet is pretty explanatory, as you fill it out it calculates and sorts the group tables so you can have a more comprehensive view of how you think the cup will shape up
4.Head back to my website and upload your picks.
5.I'll collate all the picks into a master workbook (already written) that will automatically score the tournament based on the results. I'll post a copy of it on the net before the cup starts.

The files can be found at my server:
http://dupicks.dnsdojo.com/

P.S. I just needed to throw something up there to get this out, but I'm going to be finishing the actual design in the next day or so. If you upload, read through the post message to the bottom and see if the upload was a success.

Good luck and happy picking!

[Condem]

1. Kicking for insanity.

C'mon, folks. Have a little fun with this deal. No financial risk. Just pick some countries and roll with it.

[happyiowan]

2. Insanity!

I'm all in. I just need to finish doing my homework. One quick question - what's your deadline for posting picks?

[insanity]

3. a few hours before kickoff

it should only take about 30 seconds per entrant to get their data entered into the scoring book, plus some time to get it on server. I should finish the website tomorrow afternoon, which will have all the rules (and a spreadsheet devoid of a really bad spelling error).

[insanity]

4. I've finished the website!

It's not much, but it is ready for the world. Spelling errors fixed and I've finished the final touches on the standings updater. So come and join!

[Condem]

5. Most excellent.

Two pools. Can't have enough of 'em, I say! Thanks to you and Charlie & Algernon!!

[happyiowan]

6. Another quick question.....

I keep getting a page not found error. Is the link in your original post the one I'm supposed to click?

[JonLP24]

7. I got the same thing nt

[happyiowan]

8. JonLP!

Damn. Haven't seen much of you since football season. How've you been?

[JonLP24]

9. I've been alright

How about yourself?

Can't wait for both football seasons! :bounce:

[happyiowan]

10. I've been alright too -

I'm psyched about the World Cup - at last something to get me through until the real football starts again.

[insanity]

11. Page is back up. I had a bit of a server error

I've got a few predictions in already, too!

[insanity]

12. Alright, it's a small group (5 players)

I've finished collating everyone's picks and I'll have a master workbook with everyone's picks up in a bit. So far, we've had 1 correct scoreline, and a couple of correct results.

[insanity]

13. If you want to quick download the scorebook:

It is here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/398605382/World_Cup_Pickem.xls.html

I've got to migrate the file over to my server, so will be up on the site dynamically.

[Condem]

14. What's the point??

I haven't called anything right.

[insanity]

15. you are having a rough go

Germany-Australia might produce some points for you though. I think the first games are always the hardest to predict.

[insanity]

16. Okay, so I've got the entire scorebook online and looking nice!

check out the standings page over at:
dupicks.dnsdojo.com

Everyone's picks are viewable. At the end of match day 1 for the group stage, I'll post a detailed look at the competition and various scenarios, highlighting some important matches coming up. Speaking of important matches, italy-paraguary can go a long way to creating parity amongst the group and the games tomorrow should have some really important scorelines.

[insanity]

17. Some numbers

Most of us have done miserably, but we are starting to have some parity. The Spanish shocker didn't really benefit anyone, but South Africa's defeat brought the groups a bit narrower. The best prediction percentage is 85% and most of us are 50/50. If anyone is interested in a knockout round challenge, I can do it much the same way. Anyways, looking forward to the next round of matches.

http://dupicks.dnsdojo.com/standings.htm

[insanity]

18. Condem surged the last day and a half and now finds himself in 2nd place and closing.

France-Mexico is going to be a very important game today, and could see condem ending the day in outright first.

[insanity]

19. Condem's surge is over, but the competition sure as hell ain't!

My girlfriend is now 1 point back of whatu. Condem is only 5 off, while I'm only 2 behind him. Happyiowan is at the back, but still within distance at 12 back. I've still yet to record a full 5 points, being the only person with the dishonorable distinction. Spain's score will be crucial for all of us going forward.

[insanity]

20. Its over!

My girlfriend won, I took second, condem 3rd, whatu 4th, and happyiowan 5th. It was a wide open competition yesterday, and a lot of fun to do.