THE BJC WORLD CUP SWEEPSTAKE
P4
Germany (NATASHA) 4 - 1 England (CARLA)
Oh dear oh dear oh dear. NATASHA romped home to an easy win, as CARLA was let down by a bunch of pathetic, prima donna, over paid, premier league ponces. Whilst NATASHA's played with commitment, positivity and organisation, CARLA's team looked like they couldn't be bothered to be there, just waiting to get back in their top of the range ferraris, collect up their ludicrously high wages, and jet off to an expensive holiday in the carribean, whilst trying to be photographed to appear on the next glossy celebrity magazine (and probably being unfaithful to their wives to do it). Didn't want to mess up your hair, lads?
Ok, there was a controversial goal not given etc. But does anyone really believe CARLA would have won that game if it was 2-2 at half time. Surely not. Her players couldn't be bothered to try. What a bunch of ponces.
Poor CARLA was badly let down by her players, who minced around looking not the least bit bothered by how well they played, and were unsurprisingly (apart from to the most blinkered England fan) shown up as the tarts they are.
But a good result for NATASHA, she took advantage of playing a bunch of girls to record an excellent win, totally deserved, she progresses to the quarter finals, with £3 in the bag.
Argentina (MADDIE + EUAN) 3 - 1 Mexico (ELENA)
An comprehensive win for MADDIE & EUAN, who made light work of little ELENA. There was controversy over the first goal, but after that, MADDIE & EUAN never looked back. MADDIE & EUAN look well placed to do well in this sweepstake. They have already bagged £1.50 each. How far can they go....?
The Netherlands (LUKE) 2 - 1 Slovakia (PETER)
LUKE is the king of the screen operators! LUKE is the king of Park Close! A lot was at stake in this battle, and LUKE claimed all the prizes. LUKE made to telling blows, that knocked PETER to the ground, and though he hit back later on, it was far, far, far too late. PETER's hope of being crowned king of Park Close and King of the screens were easily dashed by LUKE, who in a winner takes all batlle. PETER now has nothing, and will have to wait a long time to reclaim his crown. For now, he must kneel at the feet of LUKE, a humbling and unpleasant experience.
Brazil (TOM RAMLI-D + DAD) 3 - 0 Chile (AMY)
Well, we will definately have a new sweepstake winner, as lthe winner last time out was sent packing last night.
AMY was unable to repeat her feat of winning the prize money last year, as she was easily out played by TOM RD and his DAD.
Again, top chef Steve RD made mincemeat of his opponent. Like a joint of beef on a Sunday lunchtime, AMY was roasted.
After a slow start, TOM & DAD turn up the heat, and Amy started to cook. Like an egg in STEVE RD's kitchen, Amy's defence finally cracked, and Amy was two goals down. The third goal in the second half, like sugar delicately sprinkled on an apple pie, finished it off nicely.
It proved too much for AMY to come back for, and she bows out of the competition. TOM & STEVE RD are into the quarter finals, the £3 already assured, they can now look for further rich pickings.
Paraguay (ROSIE + LILY) 0 - 0 Japan (HEATHER + OLIVIA)
(ROSIE & LILY win on penalties)
Sadly, it seems HEATHER's decision to turn her back on her family and pursue a solo venture hasn't born the fruit she wanted, as she and OLIVIA crashed out of the sweepstake in heart-breaking fashion, beaten by the girl she helps to baby sit....
Although HEATHER helps to baby sit LILY, she and ROSIE refused to let personal emotion get in the way of the quest for glory.
An even an uninspiring game, perhaps because of the mutual respect each competitor has for the other, it didn't come to life until right at the end. A true stalemate, ended in an unproductive afternoon.
BUT this is the knockout section of the BJC sweepstake, and the hard, unrelenting and uncaring rules state there HAS to be a winner. No fair draws and hand shakes all round at this stage. So there it was, the ultimate of tie-break deciders...the dreaded PENALTY SHOOT-OUT............
Now it was a question of guts, bravery, and holding your nerve. It went to plan for both teams, until halfway through....when disaster for HEATHER & OLIVIA! They took their eye off the game, let their focus slip, as their third penalty was saved. For ROSIE & LILY it was a breakthrough, all they had to do was score their last two penalties, can they hold their nerves? It was a lot to ask of a 2 year old girl...
But, hold their nerves they did, as they calmly slotted away their remaining penalties to record a stunning win. Relief and joy all round - ROSIE & LILY are in the quarter finals, and can now plan spending their £3, but with the potential of more to come...
Spain (AMELIA + KITTY) 1 - 0 Portugal (NING + OLIVIA-ROSE)
Heart-ache for NING & OLIVIA-ROSE - so close to recouping their £3. But ultimately, a strangely defensive approach cost them.
Their game plan of keeping a strong defence and trying to sneak an occasional attack seemed to working in the first half, as AMELIA & KITTY struggled to make any inroads or have any impact on NING & OLIVIA-ROSE's stubborn defence. In fact NING & OLIVIA-ROSE looked more dangerous in attack. It was looking good for them.
But for some reason, in the second half, NING & OLIVIA-ROSE sat back further in the second half, allowing AMELIA& KITTY more of the play. Eventually, the inevitable happened, and NING & OLIVIA-ROSE were caught off-guard, and AMELIA & KITTY made the vital breakthrough.
NING & OLIVIA-ROSE allowed their frustrations to get the better of them towards the end, and once they were a man down that was game over.
So it’s farewell NING & OLIVIA-ROSE, perhaps the hard work of sustaining a winning team was too much in the end for the 5 month old, and they bow out before they can claim any prize money.
AMELIA& KITTY progress to the quarterfinals, where the promise of more bounty awaits them…
Brazil (TOM RAMLI-D + DAD) v The Netherlands (LUKE)
The great chef against the great pretender! Steve RD the pro chef, Luke 'The Puke', master of the BJC harvest supper 2005! Who will cook up a surprise and give their opponents a roasting?
Ghana (IZI) v Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS)
A big clash this one! The RUMSBYS v IZI! the battle of the message boarders. Already last Sunday, temperatures were rising as IZI and GOO taunted each other. How will the might of the RUMSBY family fare against the might of IZI? Nowhere will be safe tonight.......
Germany (NATASHA) v Argentina (MADDIE + EUAN)
So after comfortably beating CARLA, this one won't be as easy for NATASHA. Complacency is the big danger for her. She may think she will walk this one as easily as she did last Sunday. BUt MADDIE & EUAN are dangerous in attack, very dangerous. But they have weaknesses in defence, can NATASHA exploit the....?
Paraguay (ROSIE + LILY) v Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
The battle of the young guns! (Well, not Rosie). Neither teams have experience of this level of play. They have to handle the ENORMOUS pressure that the BJC sweepstake puts onto you. But someone has to win, someone has to fall. Who will it be....?
Wow! I mean WOW! 4 extraordinary quarter finals, full of drama, incident and jaw dropping excitement!
Brazil (TOM RAMLI-D + DAD) 2 - 1 The Netherlands (LUKE)
What a result for LUKE! An incredible comeback. Luke showed guts, determination and bravery to pull off an incredible comeback in this astonishing battle.
TOM and DAD were favourites going into this game. It was a battle of the chefs - pro chef STEVE RD and chef pretender LUKE 'the puke' DRUMMOND!
And it was chef STEVE RD and TOM who turned up the heat. They started the brighter of the two competitors. Luke was facing a grilling. He was facing the chop. TOM and STEVE RD hit the first devastating blow, taking a first half lead, and looking good for the next round. Like a sausage in STEVE RD's frying pan, LUKE was being turned over many times. For Luke, it was very grating. Behind at half time, LUKE was playing 'ketchup'
However, for TOM and STEVE RD like a bottle of milk left in the sun by the kitchen window, it started turning sour.
Luke was fighting back. Despite being down and out, he found enough inner strength to incredibly draw level. It was a disastrous moment for TOM and STEVE RD, the ball was put in the mixer, STEVE RD had a moment of butter-fingers, and LUKE was level.
TOM and STEVE RD were now in a bit of a pickle, as LUKE surged forward. Now LUKE could taste success. For TOM & STEVE RD the attacks dried up. They only 'mustard' one attack between them, whilst LUKE served up a fine display of attacking prowess. And we was rewarded with a sweet moment as he finally hit the decisive blow, and sent TOM & STEVE RD out of the competition. There dreams of glory, like a frying pan in LUKE's kitchen on pancake day, were up in smoke.
Ghana (IZI) 1 - 1 Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS)
(THE RUMSBYS win 4-2 on penalties)
What an epic encounter! In fact the word 'epic' doesn't even begin to describe what happened on this extraordinary fight to the death. The might of IZI against that power house of a machine, THE RUMSBYs. Things started evenly, and as half time approached, both teams looked to be heading in on an even keel. A true stalemate, n nothing between them.
BUT for a split second, the RUMSBYs switched off, just moments before the interval, and IZI snatched an amazing half time lead. This left the RUMSBY team stunned, and angered their manager PHIL, who rallied the team at half time, refusing the allow them to feel sorry for themselves. He literally dragged them back into the game, as in the second half they came out resurged, and literally powered their way back into contention, with a blow that knocked IZI for six, and left the contest once again level pegging. The now expected RUMSBY onslaught was about to step up a gear. But IZI wasn't prepared to lay down and die. She fought back, and a vicious , bloody Battle ensued. But STILL these two mighty titans couldn't be separated. An extra period of time was allowed to see if either of these teams could find the winning blow. It looked like they couldn't and the tie would be decided by the ultimate of cruel factors - the penalty shoot-out.
But before that, there was more incredible drama. IZI charged forward in a moment of sheer determination, backed up by sheer adrenalin. A vicious blow seemed to have sent the RUMSBYs crashing to the ground - with literally 5 seconds remaining - IZI was awarded a penalty! What drama. One kick left in the game - score and IZI was through, the RUMSBYs out. The world held it's breath....
.....but IZI didn't hold her nerve. The ball smashed against the crossbar. Devastation for IZI. Now we had the penalty shoot-out. A totally gutted IZI had to recover her composure, for this, the highest pressured moment in all sweepstake history. It was about holding your nerve now.
Dead level after two penalties each, both sides showing so much bottle and guts. And then...the first cracks appeared...IZI missed her third penalty! With the initiative now on the RUMSBYs it was clear - three penalties left, score them all, they were through to the semi-final.
DISASTER for the RUMSBYs! THEY miss their penalty too! Dead level again, incredible stuff.
But the drama just exploded into even more astonishing events. IZI then missed her next penalty as well!
So now this was it. The real moment of bottle, nerve, could the RUMSBYS handle the pressure? Score this next penalty, they win. It required their bravest man. Strong, brave, experienced. Will of iron. Nerve of steel. A man mountain figure was required. They needed their best, bravest, calmest, strongest most powerful competitor. Their leader, their idol, their hero......
...Polly stepped up and scored.
THE RUMSBYs went through! What a titanic battle. Perhaps the greatest battle of them all.
For IZI, utter utter dismay, the £3 prize she picked up will not go far in consoling her. She will forever rue that missed penalty five seconds from time.
For the RUMSBYs, more glory could follow soon.
What a night.
Germany (NATASHA) 4 - 0 Argentina (MADDIE + EUAN)
This one was billed as another mighty battle. MADDIE & EUAN were considered by some to have their names on this sweepstake. Favourites to win. Oh how those people were wrong. Several millions of pounds were apparently bet on MADDIE & EUAN winning, at various bookies all over the country. It was money BADLY spent!
NATASHA stormed out of the blocks. Before you could say "Careful, don't let a goal in here for goodness sake", NATASHA struck the first blow. One up, and MADDIE & EUAN were left shell-shocked. They never recovered.
A strong spell of pressure in the second half yielded no fruit for MADDIE & EUAN, and with the speed of thought of the sharpest hunter, NATASHA struck again. And then again. Two devastating blows in quick succession sent MADDIE & EUAN crashing to the floor at NATASHA's mercy. That was it, battle over, NATASHA had won easily, and could have left it there. But her destructive instincts were too strong, and, with MADDIE & EUAN lying helplessly at her feet, she dealt them one further, cruel blow. And recorded an easy 4-0 victory.
For MADDIE & EUAN, a beating they will never forget. Hopefully it will stand them in good stead for the next sweep.stake
For NATASHA, progression to the next round, and a chance of further glory....
Paraguay (ROSIE + LILY) v Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
After a slow start, this contest burst into life in an incredible ten minute spell.
ROSIE & LILY adopted a very defensive stance for this one. It seemed a very dangerous approach against AMELIA & KITTY who have recorded some good victories so far.
But it was a tactic that seemed to be working for them, as they contained AMELIA & KITTY and in fact had the better chances of getting the first major blow.
Then, with ROSIE & LILY holding firm in defence, came the moment they had been hoping for - they were awarded a penalty kick. What a chance for one of the greatest smash-and-grabs of BJC sweepstake history.
But tragically, their nerve didn't hold, and their tame penalty was easily thwarted by AMELIA & KITTY, who burst out of defence with the speed and power of a steam train. up to the other end, and SMASH...THEY were awarded a penalty! Within half a minute of saving ROSIE & LILY's penalty they had their own.
They stepped up and....SCORED! 1-0...they danced with joy and sheer delight.....BUT, NO! STOP! They were instructed to RETAKE the penalty! Disaster! Not they have to go through it all again! Can they hold their nerve in the retake.......................??
NO! It was saved! Then...foul! A tussle for the ball, and AMELIA & KITTY are sent tumbling to the floor! Surely a foul! surely another penalty instantly But NO! No penalty awarded!
So after that exhausting action, things were still dead level - stalemate. Two foes locked in a war neither could break down.
Then finally, AMELIA & KITTY created one last chance to get the win...they hit a superb shot - off the post, back to them, another shot - OFF THE POST AGAIN! But wait, the ball rolls agonisingly across the goal line...it's not in, it's not in! It rolls toward the other goal post, and IT'S IN!! It's the breakthrough they needed. A moment where time itself seemed to stand still, but AMELIA & KITTY are the ones going through.
tough on ROSIE & LILY, but overall an excellent first campaign for them in the BJC sweepstake. £3 earned, and their run to the quarter finals sets them in good shape for BJC sweepstakes to come.....
AMELIA & KITTY are now in the big time. £6 at least won, and more may yet follow.....
Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS) v The Netherlands (LUKE)
The first of the semi finals is an almighty clash of the titans – LUKE v the RUMSBYS! Phil comes up against his assistant in the shows – Luke! The pianist v the drummer. Will LUKE beat his opponent, or will PHIL find the key to unlock LUKE’s defence?
The two have earned each others mutual respect over the last few years, as they work together in the cause of the Junior Church. But now – no more. From now on they are bitter, deadly enemies. Their friendship ceases from this point on. No matter what the outcome, it can NEVER be rekindled after what happens tomorrow…..
Germany (NATASHA) v Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
Well NATASHA has shown no mercy. She has now blown away four of her opponents – STEVE & CLAIRE, CARLA and MADDIE & EUAN have all been mercilessly destroyed by this efficient goal machine they call NATASHA.
Now she has another big challenge – AMELIA & KITTY, who have faltered and stalled in their campaign so far, but they definitely posses what it takes to win this battle.
And what a battle it will be. There will be blood, sweat, tears, joy, pain, heart ache, jubilation…… it could be too much to take….
Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS) 2 - 3 The Netherlands (LUKE)
So the game is up for the RUMSBYS. Sadly, this was just one step too far, particularly for the younger members. A gallant effort, but in the end they were unable to beat LUKE, who marches on into the final.
But both teams put in all the effort they could muster, and it was a classic encounter, livened up by PHIL and LUKE working so closely together during the shows.
LUKE took the lead with an almighty strike, that sent the RUMSBYs reeling. With his opponents fazed, LUKE could have taken the opportunity to finish them off for good. But RUMSBY team don't know when they're beaten, and somehow their manager PHIL managed to summon up enough energy to thrust his family forward again. And, incredibly, they pulled out all the shots to level by half time. What a fightback - brave and determined.
A terrific comeback, which had LUKE rocking and reeling. However, in the second half, he gradually found his feet, and, whilst not being convincing, he managed to get in front again. With every scrap of energy in his body, LUKE hit the RUMSBYs with two devastating blows to knock them down again.
This time it looked all over, no way back for the lean, mean Rumsby machine.
However, as stated before, the RUMSBYs don't know when they're beaten, and LUKE, through sheer exhaustion from this mighty battle, let his guard slip right at the end, allowing the RUMSBYs to pull back. A frantic finale followed, and LUKE just about held on by the narrowest margin.
What a battle! Two of our finest competitors slogged it out and served up a rich contest. But it is LUKE who will gain the bounty, a final place and at least £20, AND a chance to win £50!
For the RUMSBYs, thoughts of what might have been. With £6, and £8 up for grabs in the third place play-off, they have done themselves proud against all the odds. Now they must pick themselves up again. A further £2 is up for grabs on Saturday.
Germany (NATASHA) 0 - 1 Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
So AMELIA & KITTY have claimed the other final spot, using their flair to overcome NATASHA's direct style.
NATASHA struggled to break down AMELIA & KITTY's stubborn defence, and eventually she was caught on the hop, as AMELIA & KITTY abandoned their stylish flair for just one moment and lashed in a powerful, deadly strike to send NATASHA crashing to the floor. Indeed, it could have been worse for NATASHA, but AMELIA & KITTY were wasteful in the extreme. But it didn't matter, as they defended what they had resolutely, forming a brick wall of a defence that NATASHA didn't have the power or guile to break down.
Their were joyous scenes at the end as AMELIA & KITTY raced through for a final meeting against the mighty LUKE. They have guaranteed themselves £20 prize money and could get £50 with a win over LUKE. They have had a great tournament!
for NATASHA - disappointed but by no means disgraced. She has had some good wins over BJC sweepstake stalwarts STEVE & CLAIRE, IZI, CARLA and MADDIE & EUAN. She has also won herself £6, which could be £8 if she beats the RUMSBYs in the thrid place play-off on Saturday.
THE THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS) v Germany (NATASHA)
So this is the third place play off. A chance to increase the guaranteed £6 up to £8 for the winner, so still a lot to play for. Both competitors will be hurting after their semi final defeat. But they will have to pick themselves up for this hard encounter, as an extra £2 is at stake. Who will be the one to recover the fastest, to claim the extra prize?
The RUMSBYs have had the extra 24 hours to recover, so that could give them the advantage, but unlike them, NATASHA lost a game earlier in the contest, and recovered immediately to win her next game, so she knows how to bounce back. Who knows how the previously unbeaten RUMSBYs will react? It's time for manager PHIL to show his worth.....
THE GRAND FINAL!
The Netherlands (LUKE) v Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
Putting it simply, this is THE biggest game in BJC world cup history. WIth a prize of £50, the stakes have never been higher. The prize money has never been as big as this, this is literally THE biggest event in sweepstake history.
LUKE has the experience, he's been there and done it in previous sweepstakes.
AMELIA & KITTY have started showing the flair and attacking prowess to actually win this thing.
Both sides are ready, both sides are focussed, both sides are out for the kill. It will be immense. It won't be for the faint hearted. There will be blood, sweat, anger, tears, joy, everything. Let the battle of Bladon commence........
THE THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
Uruguay (THE RUMSBYS) v Germany (NATASHA)
A well fought out contest fought in the right spirits. Both competitors were keen to overcome their disappointment of missing out on the final, and put up a good display.
However, it seemed that the grueling and punishing schedule had taken it's toll on some of the RUMSBY members, particularly the younger ones, and sloppy defending gave NATASHA the chance to take victory. The first mistake came when the RUMSBYs failed to block a NATASHA attack fully, and she swiped quickly again to record the first blow, sending the RUMSBYs crashing to the floor.
But, we've said it time and time again, this RUMSBY team just does not know it's beaten, and again they came bouncing back, this time taking advantage of an uncharacteristic slip up from NATASHA to level matters. And then, the RUMSBY machine slipped into top gear, and powered their way ahead.
But no sooner had they gained an advantage that they let it slip again. Again, weak defending allowed NATASHA to out-muscle the RUMSBY defence to draw level.
Further sloppiness let NATASHA gain another strike, and this time she took the lead to almost seal the victory.
But, in literally the last moment of the game, the RUMSBYs had one last chance to level. The last kick, the last shot. Miss and they lose, with a £6 prize. Score and they would get half an hour to snatch the extra £2 from NATASHA.
PHIL hit a terrific free kick. With the accuracy of a archer, he launched the Ball forward. It powered toward goal, seemingly weaving it's way through NATASHA's defence.The whole world held it's breath in anticipation.....
....but the ball crashed off of the crossbar, and into safety. And that was it, game over. NATASHA wins the battle, and the £8.
The incentive of an extra £2 not quite enough for PHIL to gain victory. But they have had a sweepstake to be proud of.
As has NATASHA, who wins £8 for finishing third. A good run for her young team, and their is promise for much more to come.
THE GRAND FINAL!
The Netherlands (LUKE) v Spain (AMELIA + KITTY)
So on to the FINAL. The pinnacle of the BJC sweepstake. The bounty huge. £20 for the loser rising to an astonishing £50 for the winner.
Sadly, what should have been a glittering finale, turned into a bad tempered, poor affair, mainly, I'm sorry to say, by our own message board regular LUKE.
AMELIA & KITTY have played with style and grace in this sweepstake, and LUKE obviously felt the only way to stop their attacking play was by brute force, and brute thuggery.
In the first half he showed a shocking display on petty squabbles and vicious fouling. Several times he lashed out unsportingly at AMELIA & KITTY, clearly intimidated by their attacking prowess. Several shocking moments of thuggery and violence ensued, including a shameful karate kick into the chest. Many times, LUKE scythed down his opponent in illegal methods. He brought shame to the message board, the sweepstake, the whole of the Junior church, the whole of the methodist church, the circuit, to Bladon, to his family, and to himself.
And yet, despite this, he could have won this contest, without needing to resort to thuggery. He created two glorious chances to win, but failed to take them, AMELIA & KITTY were equally as wasteful.
And so, the contest needed a further 30 minutes to separate these two mighty titans. But it seemed that there was no breaking this deadlock. Until....
...woth just four minutes to play, AMELIA & KITTY surged forward for one last attack on LUKE, they struck a mighty blow and....success....LUKE fell to the floor. A beaten man. AMELIA & KITTY had won the contest, and won the sweepstake.
Sadly, more shame for LUKE, as he refused to accept defeat as graciously as all other competitors have. (Except Goo! ) Afterwards, he stormed around in a tantrum. He had the audacity to blame the referee for not punishing a foul by AMELIA & KITTY after all that he had done. This was not the way to conduct himself, to act totally undeserving of the £20 prize money he has won. A sad and shameful day for LUKE.
But glory for AMELIA & KITTY. Many congratulations, they have won £50! (TO SHARE, NOT EACH!!). They have played the sweepstake in the right manner, with flair and enterprise. In fact they are double deserving, as they also represented South Korea, who also played in a positive fashion. All this in their first ever BJC sweepstake. Congratulations, you are true worthy BJC sweepstake champions!
So there you have it. The BJC Sweepstake is at an end. It has been a truly colossal event, full of passion, drama, excitement, controversy, everything you could ask of such a prestigious event. Congratulations to the competitors who won prizes (Amelia & Kitty £50, Luke £20, Natasha £8, The Rumsbys £6, Izi, Rosie & Lily, Maddie & Euan and Tom RD and Dad £3 each). Commiserations to the rest, but thanks for playing in the right spirit. It was a tournament we can all be proud of.
So there we go, a phenomenal 4 weeks, the dreams and aspirations of 32 teams, met with heart-ache of glory. Joy for Amelia & Kitty, our new champions. A sweepstake that will have a legacy that will live on with us all forever.
Here's to the BJC Euro 2012 sweepstake!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I declare the BJC WORLD CUP sweepstake of 2010 officially....over.
