Handicapping Open Group B in a Chinese Restaurant
Here are the teams in Group B of the Open in alphabetical order.
Argentina
Austria
China
French Polynesia
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Israel
Jamaica
Korea
Latvia
Mexico
Netherlands
Portugal
Russia
San Marino
Scotland
Sweden
It seemed a pretty straightforward group when I consulted the Oracle but since we were at the Mandarin restaurant (a yummy Chinese buffet) tonight for Colin’s birthday I decided to consult the fortune cookies for inspiration in forecasting group B’s finish. The cookie I got said “all your answers lead to questions”.
This wasn’t helping so I tried an online fortune cookie site and this is what it said
When you least expect it an idea you value may finally pan out.
Today’s advice: Trust yourself.
Both the Oracle and I like these four teams for the top spots:
China. Russia, Sweden and the Netherlands and there is just a snowball’s chance in October that Argentina or Hungary could sneak in.
This is my order:
1. Russia
2. Netherlands
3. Sweden
4. China
The Oracle likes Netherlands first and Russia second, but the cookie said to trust yourself.
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This is the group of death for Scotland as far as I am concerned. I expect China, Netherlands, Israel, Portugal, Russia and Sweden to be the top six with Austria close behind.
I think that the Dutch, Russians, China and Israel will prevail.
Let me make a guess here.
1. There is no doubt about Russia. It will probably qualify top of the group.
2. I am not so sure of Netherlands or Israel. They are both possible but no certainty.
3. I do not fancy Sweden or China. China has a stronger team, but their women’s team is much more likely to win something big.
4. I agree Hungary or Argentina can sneak in. There is one other team — India. One of the three pairs is in absolutely top form at this time; and if the other two perform above par, they should qualify easily. It may not be easy, but it is possible.
So my choices for this group are:
1. Russia
2. Netherlands
3. China
4. Hungary or India