Predictions for the Open Division Round of 16 in the WSMG

Italy vs India

Poland  vs USA

Brazil vs China

Norway vs Turkey

Israel vs Romania

England vs Bulgaria

Netherlands vs Estonia

Germany vs Belgium

In the four cases where the top team is playing the bottom qualifier in a crossover division are their going to be any surprises?  I don’t think so.  So Norway, Germany, Italy and Israel are going to go on. 

In the Poland versus the USA match, normally I would say the USA would be the winners.  But they have not been playing in form.  Poland has been having a decent tournament.  I am going to pick them.  In China versus Brazil I am going to pick the home team.  I think the home field advantage will be the deciding factor here.  In Netherlands versus Estonia I think the Netherlands is going to be too tough for the upstart Estonians.  It seems to me to be a toss-up between England and Bulgaria but Rule Britannia in the end. 

Okay over to the beer card to see Paul’s picks.

http://thebeercard.blogspot.com/

He hasn’t listed any.  Just looked at how his picks for the round of 16 did.  I did notice that Scotland like Canada didn’t do as well as they would have liked in the round robin. 

Now to check out Glen Ashton.  I am reproducing here… his picks but you will want to read his whole article.  Glens Picks

Italy vs India

Poland  vs USA

Brazil vs China

Norway vs Turkey

Israel vs Romania

England vs Bulgaria

Netherlands vs Estonia

Germany vs Belgium

I have highlighted in red where Glen and I differ which is in almost every one of the matches that doesn’t involve a first place team.  We do both agree on the Netherlands and that’s it.  I think that shows how hard it is to pick between these relatively closely matched teams.  Or maybe it shows I don’t know what I am doing (or both).

I am going to leave predictions in the women’s to Ray.