Message Board

From James, 31st May

"This is my year."

From Sam, 1st June

"These past 2 years have moved slowly, every thought of international football resurrecting my humilation at merely qualifying for the UEFA cup, each month strengthening my resolve to break into a champions league place this time. I may have claimed the Roi d'Anglais as the top placed Englishperson but such trifles are of no consequence when compared to the honour of holding aloft the betting league trophy!"

From John, 2nd June

"I am pleased to confirm the participation of the 2004 champion. More details to follow once I have had a closer look at the form guides."

From Andrew, 2nd June

"Has it really been 10 years?!
Let the fun commence!"

From Upekha, 2nd June

"Ooh, it's so exciting - football and the olympics - another summer spent in front of the tv."

From Nicolas, 2nd June

"Merci de vous occuper une année encore de tout ça ! Je dois dire que j’attendais assez impatiemment le mail d’introduction…"

From Pascal, 2nd June

"Je vous préviens, j'ai décidé de gagner, cette année."

From Niall, 2nd June

"I'm looking forward to it. Though I know my enjoyment of the football will once again be ruined by anxiety over those crucial five pointers..."

From Philippe, 3rd June

"Second de la Betting league 2006... Si tu n’y vois pas d’inconvénient je vais essayer de faire mieux cette année".

From Jez, 3rd June

"2nd to last in 2004, mid-table mediocrity in 2006, the only way is up. Or down again."

From Neelo, 6th June

"As true fans of field soccer we are confident that Britain will score the most runs and win the gold medal."

From Andrew, 6th June

"Is it right that you're guaranteed a point if you predict a draw? Whereas if you predict a win you could end up with zero points. I'm not complaining (yet!) but I'm not sure of the logic behind it... especially as it could lead to unsportsmanlike predictions if it's really close at the end. Maybe I should contact the ombudsman, I;m sure he'll be able to put me straight...."

From Danny, 6th June

"Dear 2008 Betting League contestants,

In response to Andrew's query, I've discussed the issue of points with the organisers. I've decided that the rules currently advertised on the Betting League website at:

http://www.dupin.org.uk/euro2008/rules2008.html

should be retained.

This is the reasoning:

Andrew was indeed correct that a point is guaranteed for predicting a draw. However, the rules also award you a point if you predict a winner but the result is a draw. The only situation in which you score no points is when you predict the wrong winner altogether, which is arguably a worse prediction than predicting a draw when there is a winner.

Playing for guaranteed single points is unlikely to gain anyone victory. The onle and only case in which 'unsportsmanlike predictions' would gain a player an advantage is if he or she has a 4-point lead with 1 remaining match (the final). At the end of the tournament we will also take into account the 5 or 2 bonus points for picking a team that reaches the final. In the case of a tie, the number of 5-pointers scored throughout the tournament will act as a decider.

It seems to me that the incentive for unsporting behaviour is slight compared to the incentive to play honestly for maximum points, and so the rules should stay as they are.

I welcome any further questions you might have.

May the battle commence,

Danny, the Official Sepp Blatter of the 2008 Betting League
dannybirchall@yahoo.co.uk"

From Sam, 6th June

"The crucial hour is upon us. And here I sit, the pages of my well thumbed form book hang limp, my eyes weary from examining tables of home and away form, the top of my pencil thoroughly gnawed all from the myriad possibilities... Have the Czech republic peaked, are Romania dark horses? why are Germany so well fancied? questions, questions and still all the time I am thinking, thinking, 1-0? 2-0? draw? Oh, let tomorrow dawn and release me from this statistical purgatory!"