Reference websites: UEFA website    
Euro2008 on WorldCupBlog    
Betfair.com     BBC Euro2008 site
The new Official Euro2008 Song by Enrique Iglesias
The replaced Official Euro2008 Song by Shaggy 

The Euro 2008 Prediction Competition  

Link to The Standings Page      The Express Prediction Form      The Standard Prediction Form
The Message Board      The Player Profile Form 
Any problems or questions please e-mail Jimmy or phone 07968 040425 or use the Message Board.
 
Intro. This is a simple competition of predicting the scores of each of the Euro 2008 games. Points (see below) are awarded for getting the correct result (win/lose/draw) and for getting the correct score of either team. The result that counts here is the one at the end of 90 minutes. Extra time (if played) and penalties do NOT count. There are 24 games in the group stages and 7 games in the knockout stages. A prize fund of all the entry money will be distributed as shown below (see Prizes chapter)

Predictions . Click here or scroll to the bottom of this page for full details on how to submit predictions. The predictions for games will be published on the Standings Page just before kick-off of each game. A default 0-0 score will be submitted in cases where I have no prediction. The Standings Page will be updated nightly with the scores/positions - only the predictions will be updated before each game. You can predict as many games ahead as you like or on a daily frequent basis - they just must be in on time. You can override a prediction by simply submitting a new one - the most recent prediction will be used.

Entry. Open to anyone - friends and workmates welcome. There are 2 levels of entry, £10.00 or £20.00 which can be paid in any of the following ways.
It can be handed to me in cash or sent by cheque (payable to 'Jimmy Vigh' at 14 Godstone Road, Kenley, Surrey, CR8 5JE). Don't send cash by post.
Payment by credit/debit card is accepted through a secure online payment method called Nochex - Click here for details but there is an administration charge for this service so pay £10.50 or £20.90 if you go through this route.
Payment can also be accepted by Bank transfer - Click here for details. There is no admin charge for this method so send £10.00 or £20.00 only.
However you pay, please provide a contact phone number or email address. Once payment is cleared your name will appear on the Standings Page (this may take a day or 3). I will limit the number of entries to 40 and this is on a first pay first play basis (one entry per person).

Prizes. As there are 2 levels of entry (£10 or £20) there will be 2 prize funds. Everyone who enters contributes £10 to Pool A and those who enter £20 are eligible for the Pool B prizes which consists of the extra £10s contributed. The prize funds will be paid out as follows  ..
 
Pool A (£10 entry - everyone eligible) Pool B (£20 entry players only)
1st Overall ... 50% of pool - £105.00 Highest placed finisher overall ... 60% of pool - £84.00
2nd Overall ... 25% of pool - £52.50 2nd Highest placed finisher overall ... 30% of pool - £42.00
3rd Overall ... 15% of pool - £31.50 3rd Highest placed finisher overall ... 10% of pool - £14.00
Winner of the knockout Stages only ... £31.00 No prize for knockout Stages

In the event of a tie the relevant prize money is shared. i.e. the top 2 overall in Pool A would get 37.5% of the pool each.

Points. In the group stages, for each correct result (i.e. win/draw/lose) 3 points are awarded. For each correct team score 1 point is awarded. If the result and score is exactly right a bonus of 3 points will be added.
 
Point scoring example: If I predict Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3. Correct result gets 3pts, Correct team score gets 1pt, Spot on with results and score gets 8 points
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 1-3 Total points = 8 (3+1+1+3)
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 0-3 Total points = 4
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 0-1 Total points = 3
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 1-1 Total points = 1
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 2-0 Total points = 0
Actual score Switzerland 1 Czech Republic 3 4-3 Total points = 1


From the quarter finals on, 4 points are awarded for the correct result and 2 points for each correct team score. A bonus of 4 points is awarded for both the correct result and score bringing the maximum available points per game to 12.

In the Final itself, anyone with a mathematical chance of winning (within 12 points of the leader) will have the option of having a prediction that differs from anyone above them in the table if they want. How this works is if you are leading come the Final game you submit a prediction and that is used. 2nd place will be informed of the leader's prediction and can submit a 'tactical' prediction to make up points. Then 3rd place will be informed of the 2 predictions and can do the same. Only those with a chance of winning will have this option. The rest will predict as normal.

You can see an example of how the points worked in the Euro 2004 Competition Final Standings and The World Cup 2006 Final Standings

Good Luck .

Jimmy (my predictions will be emailed to David Armstrong or anyone else that wants them before each game for verification)

Go to the Nochex payment instruction page 

Go to the Bank Transfer instruction page

How to submit Predictions ...

The Express Prediction Form. This is a simple form which will immediately register your prediction so it can be used right up till just before K/O. I strongly recommend this method if you're submitting predictions on the day of the games. You do not automatically receive a copy of your predictions by email but they will be forwarded to you a.s.a.p. if you wish.

The Standard Prediction Form. An alternative and back up to the Express form. This form send me an email with your predictions so can be subject to internet traffic delays (anything up to an hour). It may reach me straight away so it is perfectly fine to use.

Texting If you text a prediction, it must be sent to 07968 040425 (again allow a time delay between sending and receiving). Can you please use abbreviations for the countries if possible and use the following score format  e.g. SWI 2 CZE 0. Due to the possible player numbers I cannot reply by text to confirm receipt if you use this method.

E-mail You can use email to send your predictions. Please allow for possible server delays.

During the nightly updates I will highlight the boxes for games I have predictions for. If you submit on the day of the game nothing may appear before the pre-game update. I will give notice if I am unavailable to update the standings page but that should be quite rare.