2010 World Cup Pick Em

[Byrd]

ESPN is running their World Cup pick em, although they don't call it World Cup Pick Em, presumably for some trademark reason. It's called Soccernet Bracket Predictor. Everybody is invited to participate -- posters, lurkers and trolls from all over the world. Entry is free; please incorporate your BG log in into your team name somehow so we know who you are. One entry per group, please don't add a ton of entries.

Front Page: http://games.espn.go.com/bpredictor/en/frontpage
Group Name: Bluegartr
Password: gingerspice

The game is pretty simple. Pick the first and second place teams from each group, then complete the bracket. You get a certain amount of points for each correct pick, the person with the most points at the end wins.

There's no group prize except e-peen and your name added to the list below. You will have to register with ESPN.com if you haven't already (it's free and you can disable all spam). If you finish first of all 500,000+ entries on ESPN, you can get $5000 cash, which would be nice. For that reason, I would recommend using your real name and contact info if you register. If there is a tie within the group, we'll use the ESPN "grand prize" tiebreakers to figure out a single winner.

Let me know if you have any questions about the game or problems registering with ESPN, either by posting here or PM.

UPDATE: I added a second game, called 2010 Soccer Pick Em. Same group name and password, different game.

Link: http://games.espn.go.com/soccerpickem/en-us/frontpage
Group: Bluegartr
Password: gingerspice

This is a game-by-game prediction, where you have to pick the winner of every game; draw is also an option. Note that to play this one, you're going to have to come back between every round and make your picks for the next set of games. For that reason, there's an option for you to have them send you an e-mail reminder between rounds; I'd recommend setting that on so you don't forget. No group prize, but the overall prize if you beat all 500,000+ entries is a $1500 Best Buy gift certificate.

Previous winners of BG's ESPN games:

2006 Bowl Pick Em: Makaveli
2006 BG Fantasy Football: Thuggy
2007 March Madness: Byrd
2007 College Football Pick Em: Ryany
2007 Bowl Pick Em: Akiyama
2008 NFL Gridiron Playoff Challenge: Tyr
2008 March Madness: Snoogans
2008 College Pick Em: Byrd
2008 Eliminator: Byrd
2008 Pigskin Pick Em: Weltall
2008 Bowl Pick Em: Laguna
2009 NFL Gridiron Playoff Challenge: Sekaran
2009 Super (Bowl) Pick Em: Stiker
2009 March Madness: MrW
2009 College Pick Em: Ryany
2009 Eliminator: Stiker
2009 Pigskin Pick Em: Weltall
2009 Bowl Pick Em: Alderon527
2009 Gridiron Playoff Challenge: Driver
2010 March Madness: Biddinger

Note: traditional league fantasy football and baseball winners are not included in this list.

[Mugekuge]

Man i must be doing something wrong but it says wrong password when i try to join.

[Makaveli]

Yea Password isnt working

[Byrd]

Hmmmm, says to me that's the right password. I changed it, though, just in case the ">" was causing headaches for the computer.

New Password: gingerspice

Let me know if you still have trouble.

[Makaveli]

works

[FallingHigher]

new pw worked for me

[Titanss]

IN ON THIS

and ya pw worked fine

[sruon]

holy shit, brt.

[Mugekuge]

In!

[Julian]

Already registered in a group with rl friends :<

[BRP]

Slightly off-topic, but what is the BEST way to cover the World Cup via computer?

[Titanss]

atdhe?

[Byrd]

Already registered in a group with rl friends :<

Most ESPN games allow you to create multiple entries, this one appears to be no different. Go to the home page, then My Entries. Right below your original team should be a line that says "Create Another Entry." It should allow you to have a team in both groups.

[volcanicweather]

Slightly off-topic, but what is the BEST way to cover the World Cup via computer?

Atdhe or if you have verison all games will be on ESPN3 (formerly ESPN360)

Also all games will be on the ABC/ESPN family of networks

[Kerberoz]

Must be something wrong with it, I can't pick the rioters to win?

[Ryany]

I played in a baseball league with DeMarcus Beasley when I was younger. I like watching the World Cup even though I only follow soccer once every 4 years.

[Alvinho]

Lol, this should be interesting.

[pohibaba]

I have pretty much zero knowledge of international soccer, which should mean that I'll win this pool pretty easily.

[Tyche]

Same, I don't know a damn thing.

[Plow]

Damn. Having to pick what order they'll come out of groups is rough.