Loading ...with three matches to play
With three matches left to play in the qualifying round, things are tightening up in the Bermuda Bowl. Italy will take a comfortable lead into the last day; the rest of the field is sitting bunched up tight. There is some advantage to winning the qualifying round — not only does the winner pick his opponent in the round of eight, but he also sets the brackets by choosing the quarterfinal semi-final opponent as well. I’m not altogether sure what that means because under some circumstances the semi-final matches are proscribed (USA1 would play USA2, for example, because an all-USA final is prohibited), but George assures me that it is very big to win this phase.
The value in finishing higher than fourth is much clearer to me: top qualifiers pick their opponents (a practice I find barbaric). The fourth place finisher gets whoever hasn’t been chosen by the first three — almost certainly the strongest team left in the field. I’ve seen enough opponent-picking to believe strongly that it’s bad business. The minute you pick an opponent, in essence saying “I think I’m better than you,” he has a reason to fight a little harder.
Tomorrow’s matches — Egypt, Pakistan and the Netherlands — are key. Wish us luck — looks like we’ll need it.
October 5th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Round of 8 IS the quarterfinals.
The match against Italy was rough, but those things happen sometimes when your best pair is sitting out.
October 5th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
good luck. play well. we are rooting for you from home. xoxo
October 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Perhaps George and Ralph should AQUIRE a different line up! Heh heh heh….
Good luck guys!
October 5th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Oops; put in a “c” there, Red!