The first victim was Russia. Behind the tandem of Ibrahimovich and Elmander, Sweden dismantled the upstart Russians 6-0 at home. This clinical dismantling of the Russians was just a warning shot; by the time the first round was over, they advance with 11 goals for, and only 2 against.

The first team to clinch their way to the second round, Sweden faced off againt Group C’s runned up - Romania. Romania itself was an impressive team in its own right, advancing from the tournaments Group of Death, including the Netherlands, France and Italy. Clearly, this would be a team to contend with. And so they did. In a close game, Sweden turns on the engine in the final 20 minutes to down their Romanian opponents 4-2 at home.

A tough, defensive Greek team awaited in the semifinal. In the pouring rain, both teams created chances in a defensive minded game. It took a goal in the 58th minute by Ibrahimovich and some creative defense for Sweden to reach the finals.

Croatia stood tall at the other end of the brackets. Phil M. tore through opponents, ranging from Portugal, the Czech Republic and Germany. Clearly proving his prowess and defensive ability (letting in only 2 goals in 4 games, until the “slobber knocker” win against the Czechs, 6-5), Croatia was considered an early favorite. But Sweden once again defied the odds, holding on to a 2-1 lead behind Ibrahimovich and Elmander.

Ibrahimovich was named MVP. Who can argue that?

Congrats to Charles Snyder. And read up on his victory on the front page : Click Here!

Wii Players Rejoice.

And when I say platform specific, its PLATFORM SPECIFIC! The PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, Wii™ home video game system, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and mobile - ALL of them.

And the release will be THIS AUTUMN!

250 enhancements have been made to the core game play, promising the most realistic response from a football game to date.

“We listened to our consumers to make the changes that they wanted,” said David Rutter, Producer of FIFA Soccer 09 on the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Xbox 360. “No other game has over 250 feature changes and additions focused on improving core gameplay. We have an absolutely authentic recreation of the real sport through attention to detail.”

Do I smell a FIFA 09 tournament a brewing?!

Here is a detailed break down from their PR department - take a read for the console that interest you most.

GENERAL

For the first time, go inside the game engine to customize the strategy and positioning of your teammates to decide exactly how your team will play in any situation. With new Custom Team Tactics you have all the tools to become a first-team coach. Adjust and customize tactical settings so CPU players and your team perform just like the real-world team plays and make strategic decisions to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses, all on-the-fly. The popular feature innovation Be A Pro has expanded to a career mode called Be A Pro: Seasons where you can choose or create a professional player and then develop his skills at a single outfield position over four years with the ultimate goal of becoming a national legend. The matchday experience is now true-to-life with a referee and linesmen on the pitch. Plus, crowds, stadium atmosphere and commentary have all been regionalized in exact detail.

On the Wii, enjoy FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play one of two ways—a Wii-specific take on the authentic ‘11 vs. 11’ simulation or over-the-top ‘8 vs. 8’ arcade action within a stylized environment with Mii™ versions of your favorite superstars, like Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney. Refined motion and point-and-play controls make playing FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play even more intuitive and perfectly balanced for gamers of any ability to enjoy fun, soccer action. Choose to play the style that best suits your skills from advanced controls for experienced players to new EA SPORTS™ All-Play controls that enables novice players to focus on fun using simplified controls with AI assistance.

“You’ve never played soccer like this before,” said Kaz Makita, Producer of FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play. “Our new ‘8 vs. 8’ Footii Match enables you to play an exaggerated style of soccer where the personality of your Mii comes to life. You can play with your Mii characters against or alongside some of the biggest stars in a truly unique soccer experience tailored specifically for the Wii version of FIFA Soccer 09.”

FIFA Soccer 09 on PC now features leading-edge visuals that deliver graphics that exploit the power of hi-spec gaming PCs, as requested by PC gamers. Star players are featured in photorealistic quality with remodeled likenesses for ultra-realistic gameplay. FIFA Soccer 09 on PC also features customizable mouse gameplay controls that deliver deeper, more intuitive command over your squad. Plus, customizable widgets are now integrated into the menu system to connect you to the FIFA community and real-world soccer so you stay connected while playing FIFA Soccer 09.

“We are committed to investing and innovating to create a PC specific experience,” said Producer Paul Hossack. “Gamers want a gameplay experience exclusively for PC and FIFA Soccer 09 on PC delivers this.”

With 500 new animation sequences and all-new collision and shielding systems—representing the biggest innovations to the multiplatform EA SPORTS soccer engine in four years— FIFA Soccer 09 delivers more responsive, intelligent and realistic physical action on the PlayStation 2 system. The new collision detection system with 360 degree coverage enables players to behave according to their physical attributes where player speed, direction and strength determine everything from the severity of the collision to the outcome of possession. Changes to the animation system reward the skillful gamer during one-on-one situations between attackers and defenders. Tuned acceleration attributes enable swifter virtual players to possess quicker first steps and gain advantage in sprints. Plus, four new skill moves—scoop turns, rainbow flicks, heel-to-heel knocks and ball rolls—give you a total of 32 tricks in your arsenal to perform just like Ronaldinho.

FIFA Soccer 09 on the PSP system and Nintendo DS now include the innovative Be A Pro feature, including the unique Be A Pro camera that re-creates the rush and excitement of racing in on goal, designed exclusively for each system.

Who would have thought? The checkered Croats against the land of snow and hot women.

Here is how they did it -

Sweden 1 - Greece 0

As reported by Mauro Morena -

……it was raining and Greece hit a post around minute, 12 then Ibrahimovic scored around the 58th minute. Greece then hit the top post, (minute 89) hit the floor and went up again on the air for Sweden to throw it to the corner…Greece took the corner and almost scored with a header by Gekas which went behind the goal for a goal kick that ended the game…..

Czech Republic 5 - 6 Croatia

As reported by Phil M.

CROATIA 6-5 WINS IN A SLOBBERKNOCKERRRR!!! Down 5-2, what a come back!

CROATIA:
Eduardo 11′ 79′ Srna 25′ Olic 65′ 68′ some where in there Olic kicked it but Czech slide tackles it in for own goal around 50 something min or somewhere in the 60s strange play but the ball was def goin in..

Czech:
Koller 09′ Barros 14′ 23′ 45′ Jarolim 52′ Rosicky 55′ Czech (OG) 50-65??

And so we advance to the most unexpected, none 5 star team final.

Who will be our big winner? Deadline is Sunday at midnight.

CROATIA 3 - 1 PORTUGAL
CROATIA
Eduardo 39′ 64′ Olic 59′
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo 57′

SWEDEN 4 - 2 ROMANIA

GREECE 3 - 0 NETHERLANDS

Czech Republic 6 - 1 Poland

Jan Koller scores 5 and assists on 1.

This all leads to some exciting matches coming up in our semifinals! Greece is looking to make up for realities problems, while the Czech look to steam roll the competition.

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT FOLKS! Best of luck!

I would like to congratulate all of you one your fine play.

If someone were to have told you that FRANCE, ITALY and SPAIN would not advance in this tournament, you would have taken the bet immediately. But here we are. And they are not.

And interesting seeding for this tournament, highlighted, I think, by a Portugal v. Croatia clash.

Groups will be emailed out tonight. Sign in, and lets things started.

DEADLINE FOR THIS ROUND WILL BE MONDAY @ 12am MIDNIGHT!

And this round is a simple one and done format - so get online, play your game, and maybe we can advance this tourney fast enough to catch up to real life!

Again, congrats to all the players.

Get your games in today!

Hey all,

Here are the brackets for the tournament so far.

I need participants who havent played their games (I think only one remains) to get moving!

And to those groups who are depending on a game to decide the brackets, remember - If someone plays MORE games than you, especially if you have only played one game, you may actually lose your qualification.

PLAY TWO GAMES to be on the safe side.

And remember, this deadline is FIRM. No extensions! Eventually, I would like this tournament and the real life one to conclude around the same time (especially since the next round is purely one game knockouts).

Please remember to play your games before the Wednesday, 12am Eastern deadline. There is still alot to be decided so lets get crackalackin!

First off, great job to everyone involved. The tournament has hit the road running, and the majority of games have already been played.

Remember - deadline for this round is Wednesday at 12pm Midnight! We will then immediately move onto the next round.

9 Games remain to be played - and off to the Elite Eight we go!

=====================================

Here is a small sampling of some of our results.

GROUP A

TEAM——————GMS——-W——-L——–T——-PTS——-GF——GA

Czech Republic–3———-2——-0———1——–7——-12——6

Portugal————–3———-1——–0——–2——–5——–8——-2

Switzerland———–2———-0——–1——–1——–1——–4——-4

Turkey—————2———-0——–2——–0———0——-0——-12

Czech Republic 6 - 0 Turkey

Czech Republic 2 - 2 Portugal

Czech Republic 4 - 2 Switzerland

Portugal 0 - 0 Switzerland

Portugal 6 - 0 Turkey

Ronaldo scores a hat trick, and Queresma nets two as Portugal shows Turkey the door out of the tournament.

GROUP B

TEAM———GMS——-W——-L——–T——-PTS——-GF——GA

Croatia———3———-2——-1———0——–6——-5——1

Poland———2———-2——–0——–0——–6——–4——2

Austria——–3———-0——–2——–1——–1——–5——-8

Germany——-2———-0——–1——–1———1——-3——6

Austria 0 - 2 Croatia

Austria 3 - 3 Germany

Linz and Ivanshitz score for Austria in this stunning tie of Germany.

Germany 0 - 3 Croatia

Croatia 0 - Poland 1

Austria 2 - 3 Poland

GROUP C

Romania 4 - 2 France

An unthinkable win and probably the upset of the tournament so far

Holland 5 - 0 Romania

Chivu earns a red card in the 12th minute of play, and Holland runs wild. “Ruud” scores 4 goals in this running riot over Romania.

GROUP D

TEAM———GMS——-W——-L——–T——-PTS——-GF——GA

Sweden——–2———-2——-0———0——–6——-11——2

Greece——–1———-1——–0——–0——–3——–3——-2

Russia———2———-0——–2——–0——–0——–2——-8

Spain———-1———-0——–1——–0———0——-2——-5

Russia 2 - 3 Greece

Arshavin scores two but Greece power past for the win.

Sweden 6 - 0 Russia

Sweden 5 - 2 Spain

Some games were already played over the weekend - a full update of scores, and even some recap stuff, will be available.

REMEMBER: I will be updating scores here - so if you would like for me to mention your goal scorers, please, feel free to send me your game summaries, and I will add them to the reviews.

We officially kick off Wednesday - but the participation already may actually push the deadline up. Keep it going everyone. Great job!

Check your email. Password and league names have all been given. Any problems signing in, contact me.

And as an added bonus, if you sign in early, you may begin the tournament early as well. And if everyone completes their games, we may then advance the deadline.

Ladies and Gentlemen, best of luck!