World Cup Vs. Stanley Cup

At work, they’re trying to set up a World Cup pool. Since I won the Oscar pool (I knew Crash would win Best Picture), I have a reputation to protect. The problem? I have no real idea what I’m talking about. I mean, I know the rules of soccer, but I don’t know much about the teams this year. Or any other year.

I’m thinking Brazil, Argentina and England look good. I’ve been doing my research. That’s what I do.

We started talking about why the World Cup is so much more exciting than the cup named Stanley. Here’s my personal top-10 list:

1. It’s only every four years, like the Olympics. You can’t get sick of it that way.
2. It’s a national thing. How many Oilers are from Edmonton? From Canada? North America?
3. The teeth: I’ve never seen Beckham without his teeth in.
4. Beyond the teeth: No scars. No major disfiguration. Essentially, the soccer players win in the beauty department.
5. The fans are crazier. And make up about 1/3 of the world’s population.
6. The commentators are so frikkin’ cool. Especially the British ones.
7. None of this best-of-7 crap. They play and either win or lose. That’s the way it should be. And games are on all the time. For only a month.
8. Toronto comes alive. Flags are everywhere; sports bars are rolling in the dough; everyone’s pumped.
9. Anyone can play soccer. Even little girls who drop kick the ball over their own head into their own net. Again.
10. Anyone can win. It’s the sport of the underdog. Go Trinidad and Tobago.

For those who are following closely, I have the weekend to decide who will be the No. 1 and 2 teams, and what the final score will be. Any suggestions?