[img|left]http://www.gamestv.org/images/small_blue.gif[/img] 855. That's the number at current (if my maths hasn't failed me) of ETTV slots available for today's NationsCup games. Not bad for a game supposedly dieing. Of course, this figure always rises the closer it gets to the event.
5 games are due to be played kicking off (if you can really use that phrase in ET) between 20.00 CET and 21.00 CET in games across groups A, B & D. Here's my personal run-down:
20:00 CET - Estonia vs Slovenia
Many will view this as being capable of only one outcome in favour of the Estonians, with Estonia holding the group top-spot, and Slovenia languishing down in 5th place, only managing to beat minnows Canada so far. In contrast, Estonia have beaten all three games against Portual, Belgium and Croatia, and look set to continue winning ways again tonight. Certainly if Estonia have aspirations to regaining their trophy from last season, they are going the correct way about it.
21:00 CET - Switzerland vs Poland
A similar story plays out here, with in-form and personal favourites of mine Poland having taken three wins against anubis et. co's one victory.The Swiss have certainly been firing blanks of late, only managing to overcome the Russian side in a tight 4:2 game. Since that first game, the side have been beaten by both Germany and Spain, and will certainly have to pull something special out of the bag to beat the Poles. Poland on the other hand will surely arrive in confidence overload, but will have to be careful, as none of their matches so far have been what you might call daunting. Wins over Eire (Ireland), Norway and Russia have stood them in good stead, but the Swiss aren't about to give anything up just yet.
21:00 CET - Sweden vs Czech Republic
Perennial favourites Sweden find themselves in unfamiliar territory at current, behind their opponents holding 2nd place with their third position on the league board. Don't let the numbers fool you however, both sides have faced different opponents in a group which surely must win the obligatory 'group of death' tag (Holland also have maximum points). Sweden have stood up to Holland only to lose a strongly contested game 4:2 to leave a tarnished match record, while the Czechs have had an easier time of it, beating France, Malta and the USA before coming into this game. Nevertheless sweden duplicated the Maltese misery with their victory over said nation to set up what must surely be the game of the night. Not suprising then to see 200 ETTV slots already on the board and confirmed. If you have to pick a game, I'd recommend this one. Perhaps Sweden to slightly edge it?
21:00 CET - Hungary vs USA-POWER
Poor old Hungary. Not only have they had to play their opening two games against Holland and Sweden, they've also got a league table displaying them in fifth place and a date with the United States of High Pingers as if they needed anymore stress. The USA are above the Hungarians, by one place, but again looks can be deceptive with the US only having played two games: losing to the Czech Republic and then beating by now everyone's favourite punchbag nation Malta... a game I didn't watch, but imagine the pings to be pretty daft! The US continue to be dogged by the Atlantic barrier, but this will hardly present the Hungarians with their first 'easy' game, as ping difference always plays a key, unpredicable role in games of this nature. A loss tonight would surely all but end the Hungarian dream, with a tough game against the Czechs waiting afterwards. Who'd be a Hungarian?
21:00 CET - Belgium vs Austria
And so we come to the chocolate making, union loving nations of .be & .at. We return to Group A this time with the action, in a reflection of Sweden's and the Czech Republic's 2nd / 3rd place scrap. Both sides have won three games: Belgium have beaten Croatia, Portugal and Canada, whilst Austria have overcome Slovenia, Croatia and Canada. Perhaps not the hardest tasks...but the fact is Belgium have played not three games but four, having lost to group leaders Estonia. Tonight we discover who deserves to be up there with Estonia, and who has simply been riding on easy opponents. It's Rafiki's lot against LeGO's team, and it promises to be a cracker ... not a wheat thin.
All further coverage details can be seen over at GamesTV.org. HF!
NationsCup Action
5 games are due to be played kicking off (if you can really use that phrase in ET) between 20.00 CET and 21.00 CET in games across groups A, B & D. Here's my personal run-down:
20:00 CET -
Many will view this as being capable of only one outcome in favour of the Estonians, with Estonia holding the group top-spot, and Slovenia languishing down in 5th place, only managing to beat minnows Canada so far. In contrast, Estonia have beaten all three games against Portual, Belgium and Croatia, and look set to continue winning ways again tonight. Certainly if Estonia have aspirations to regaining their trophy from last season, they are going the correct way about it.
21:00 CET -
A similar story plays out here, with in-form and personal favourites of mine Poland having taken three wins against anubis et. co's one victory.The Swiss have certainly been firing blanks of late, only managing to overcome the Russian side in a tight 4:2 game. Since that first game, the side have been beaten by both Germany and Spain, and will certainly have to pull something special out of the bag to beat the Poles. Poland on the other hand will surely arrive in confidence overload, but will have to be careful, as none of their matches so far have been what you might call daunting. Wins over Eire (Ireland), Norway and Russia have stood them in good stead, but the Swiss aren't about to give anything up just yet.
21:00 CET -
Perennial favourites Sweden find themselves in unfamiliar territory at current, behind their opponents holding 2nd place with their third position on the league board. Don't let the numbers fool you however, both sides have faced different opponents in a group which surely must win the obligatory 'group of death' tag (Holland also have maximum points). Sweden have stood up to Holland only to lose a strongly contested game 4:2 to leave a tarnished match record, while the Czechs have had an easier time of it, beating France, Malta and the USA before coming into this game. Nevertheless sweden duplicated the Maltese misery with their victory over said nation to set up what must surely be the game of the night. Not suprising then to see 200 ETTV slots already on the board and confirmed. If you have to pick a game, I'd recommend this one. Perhaps Sweden to slightly edge it?
21:00 CET -
Poor old Hungary. Not only have they had to play their opening two games against Holland and Sweden, they've also got a league table displaying them in fifth place and a date with the United States of High Pingers as if they needed anymore stress. The USA are above the Hungarians, by one place, but again looks can be deceptive with the US only having played two games: losing to the Czech Republic and then beating by now everyone's favourite punchbag nation Malta... a game I didn't watch, but imagine the pings to be pretty daft! The US continue to be dogged by the Atlantic barrier, but this will hardly present the Hungarians with their first 'easy' game, as ping difference always plays a key, unpredicable role in games of this nature. A loss tonight would surely all but end the Hungarian dream, with a tough game against the Czechs waiting afterwards. Who'd be a Hungarian?
21:00 CET -
And so we come to the chocolate making, union loving nations of .be & .at. We return to Group A this time with the action, in a reflection of Sweden's and the Czech Republic's 2nd / 3rd place scrap. Both sides have won three games: Belgium have beaten Croatia, Portugal and Canada, whilst Austria have overcome Slovenia, Croatia and Canada. Perhaps not the hardest tasks...but the fact is Belgium have played not three games but four, having lost to group leaders Estonia. Tonight we discover who deserves to be up there with Estonia, and who has simply been riding on easy opponents. It's Rafiki's lot against LeGO's team, and it promises to be a cracker ... not a wheat thin.
All further coverage details can be seen over at GamesTV.org. HF!