Friday, July 3, 1998                     http://www.HWCI.com/wc98
Issue # 29.3.1 "You say Baggio, I say Biagio..."

		1998 HWCI WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT POOL
		===================================

     ITALY SUFFERS ANOTHER PK SETBACK; VALIANT DANES COME UP SHORT
   France dents Soccer Spice while MLSBob's lead increases to eight

	ON WAY TO SAN DIEGO, CA (smt)-  Host France (5-0) survived
another overtime period, this time winning in the penalty kick 
shootout, 4-3, after a scoreless tie over Italy (3-1-1).  Luigi 
Di Biagio missed Italy's fifth penalty kick (crossbar) to send France 
into the semifinals for just the second time.  Italy lost the World 
Cup in 1994 on penalty kicks to Brazil when Robert Baggio missed 
Italy's fifth penalty kick (high).  Italy also lost the 1990 World
Cup semifinals to Argentina via penalty kicks.

	Denmark (2-2-1) scored in the 2nd minute and played out their
hearts but Brazil (4-1) had too much for the Danes, holding them off,
3-2, in their Quarterfinal matchup.  Rivaldo had two goals for Brazil,
including the game-winner in the 60th minute, ten minutes after 
Denmark had tied it at 2.  Brazil beat Danish goalkeeper Peter 
Schmeichel three times.

	I woke up to watch the France match (on Univision) from the
57th minute on.  I thought Italy was down a man.  France dominated
play but, unfortunately, couldn't get good shots off.  The overtime
saw more balanced play including some tense moments as Italy nearly
won the match a couple of times.  I hate the penalty kick shootout.
Yes, I get excited, but I would get just as excited/tense if they
decided to flip a coin, best of 3 wins.  That French goalkeeper is
impressive.  Also, his baldness makes him look cool and collected.

	The Denmark-Brazil match was very entertaining and I only 
wish the US team had the same fire and desire Denmark had.  I was 
hoping they would tie it at 3 and they had two excellent chances to
do so, one that hit the crossbar.

	Tomorrow's Quarterfinal matchups are shoulda-been-England 
Argentina (4-0) vs. the orangemen from Holland (2-0-2) and 
thug-supported Germany (3-0-1) against first-timer Croatia (3-1).  
I will be in San Diego and then on to the Rose Bowl tomorrow, so the 
update probably won't be posted until late 4th of July.

	Italy's loss damaged SOCCER SPICE, who fell from 2nd to 5th
and now can't finish higher than fourth.  JAYBIAN IV now can't 
finish higher than 3rd place.  MLSBOB leads with 118, eight more than
LE BIX.  Nine people have topped the 100 point mark.  THE BRUTE 
SQUAD can't finish higher than 18th place now while RUSSO helms the
anchor position with just 68 points.

(DISCLAIMER: My elimination claims should now be 100% accurate)

I hate penalty kicks- but hey, France won...
Scott HW
                                            
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Scott M Tamashiro, HWCI Engineering       \\||//\\||//  /o-o\\ \ \ `
WC98 Pool Administrator                    \  /  \  /  (o-o-o)) ) > > >
Email:    scott@hwci.com                    ||    ||    \`o'// / / ,  
Updates:  http://www.HWCI.com/wc98          ||    ||  WORLD CUP   
----------------------------------------------------  POOL 1998