Gert T

I like game by game picks since so much can change, but we need to make quarterfinal picks before Saturday too. My goal is to see if I can use my "expertise" to get about 3 to 4 of the 8 teams right!

Exactly, he was that bad as a starter, so some his forgiven. Honestly I think last year has shaken his confidence as a closer. Still, he'll end up around 45-50 saves.

Yeah I've heard the Czechs' look good, I just didn't know if they had a style of play which would put up a lot of goals, so I just went safe and went 1-0.

Solely on the interview, although we have had good dialogue, Gray can certainly be considered an idiot for asking the question as much as any negative opinion we have for Bird. Discussing race in sports is weird, if someone is asked a question, no matter how they answer it, it will seem to be some sort of offensive or racist remark. Personally, I watch the NBA because it is the best league of basketball in the world.

I figured I would endure your wrath. And in my disclaimer, I'm not sure I fully believe that either!

I know Benoit doing double duty makes the odds of the title match going last, but do you really think HIAC won't be last?

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams? It's about pride. But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from. I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning. You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up. There should be about 3 American team moved to Canada (maybe 4) and 5 should be contracted. Then the NHL will be its best. 20 teams. What three teams are going to Canada, and where in Canada will they outdraw the U.S. cities they are leaving?

I'll make predictions for each of the first games. Too hard to do all three since things change, and so I can cover my ass later on! Group A Portugal 2, Greece 0 (I just think Portugal will be fired up at home, not that Greece won't be ready to play either!) Spain 1, Russia 1 (I am torn, not sure which Spain will show up to play) Group B Croatia 1, Switzerland 0 France 2, England 1 (I think this will be a hell of a game, but England will fall just short. Hope I'm wrong though.) Group C Italy 2, Denmark 0 Bulgaria 1, Sweden 0 (I'll make this my upset of the first batch of games, and I bet I will be wrong too!) Group D Germany 2, Netherlands 1 (I think this will be one of the best games of the first set of games) Czech Republic 1, Latvia 0

Denmark-Italy will be the first game we get here on FSW, but we do get it live, so its not that bad. I'll check out that soccer-streams place this weekend, thanks for all the help.

Choken, if they start to double team you, I'll come down from Section C3. I got: Benoit HHH Orton La Resistance Victoria Eugene Jericho by DQ

Exactly, don't let those guys push you around, as long as these topics have lasted they must have been taping this earlier today for about 2 more hours.

As a Tom Chambers mark, I think he should be in the top 20 at least, but then again his best season was 89-90. Still low though.

Exactly, especially something as inconsequencial to the media as some plays and what they are called.

I know what doesn't go with tequila, a 1995 Honda Accord........ I'll only drink tequila when a certain girl is around because she loves it. Anybody tried Tres Generaciones? That's some damn smooth tequila.

That homo needs to watch what he says......

Like Melrose said earlier on ESPN radio, maybe Tampa winning the Cup can be a good thing because it shows teams can be aggressive and not have to trap all the time to win the Cup.

I really don't know for sure were Utah goes in hte draft, my guess is to stockpile role players like Memphis did last year in the first round. And I am sure they will pick up another seven foot slug like Harrison of Colorado.

Cool, thanks I'll probably check that out, 72 hours is just to long to wait to see a game!

It is weird speculating since, the Twins-Braves were so realatively low. Where do you guys think Lance Armstrong's 5-peat will go, Top 15? Will Korey Stringer death make the list by itself, or grouped together with the other heat related deaths that year?

This will not be as controversial anyway. Calgary's "no goal" did not lose them the Cup, like in 1999. They had the rest of regulation, OT and tonight's game. It is a tough break, but I hope ONLY the fans & media are worried about it and not the players and coaches, they can win tonight. I hope Calgary wins, but really no team is "evil" in my book, but then again my book is mostly pictures so I'll be alright if either team wins.

What will the other non-playing moments be? I gotta think Mo Cheeks helping the girl sing the anthem will be in there, possibly Rose & Simpson stories or is this strictly athletic events?

In Dayton, Ohio college basketball and the Dayton Flyers are the king. They average about 12,000 fans per game and it is no coincidence that they get the NCAA Tournament play-in game every year as they get about 7,500 people for that. Ohio State football is next, although the number of fans has "risen" since the 2002 season. Sadly, I would say Dayton is 50-50 split on the Browns/Bengals with the Browns with a slight edge due to older fans having only the Bengals around since 1968. Dayton Dragons (Single A affliate of the Reds) is huge as they sellout their 8,500 seat ballpark EVERY night! NBA & NHL is indifferent and we are a pretty big NASCAR town too.

I am in a terrible dilemma here in the States. I do not have Direct TV which show the games live, so I will be getting them on Fox Sports World on a 72 hour tape delay, so if I wait I won't be able to join the discussion with you guys. But I really can't watch any athletic contests with a great interest if I know the outcome. I think it does help England that they get France first. But you're right they are going to have to bring their best games. Are we going to do any predictions for Group play? I'll start, just like in the 2002 Cup, the first match had a shocking upset so....... What am I saying? Portugal 2, Greece 0.

Any chance to be able to see Hulk Hogan take his shirt off is good enough for me! Seriously though, I think we get another 1-0 finish tomorrow. I'll wait until St. Louis or Iginla is skating around with the Cup to make my prediction of who wins.

So who's scoring the goal here? Will Gelinas make it 4 for 4?