DAY 22 - THURSDAY JULY 2nd
Another fine day for Neil Mullen. 9 points is a decent score but, more than that, it's the opposition's (under) performance that make it such a great day. Neil outperformed the next SEVEN teams in the Overall League, with only Richard Hancy (7) coming within 3 points of Neil's daily total. Outside of that lot it's Nick Mullen next on the list. Nick started the day 9th and got all three scores spot-on for a perfect 15 and a Manager of the Day trophy. Nick is actually on a run of four in a row, having also got USA v Bosnia spot-on before today's three. At the top it's Mullen vs Mullen... Neil now a massive 12 points clear, Nick 2nd, equal on points with Ryan Keenan and Richard Bounds and ahead by virtue of a higher bonus points score. Back to the daily totals - six teams scored 12 points for second best, most notably Mark Wilhelm who's up six places to 6th.
Richard Hancy's disastrous day (3 points) sees him tumble from top spot in the Knockout Stage League to 6th. Ben Brown, who started the day 3rd, did even worse with 2 points and drops to 11th. Mike Moore takes full advantage and moves up from 2nd to top. Jeff Norton and Luis Lamboglia have identical records and both climb five places to equal 2nd. Mark Wilhelm is up to 4th while Norah Ettaouchi - who was 2nd after the first match of the day - stays 5th. The Knockout Stage is obviously a lot closer - while Neil Mullen has that 12 point lead to 2nd in the Overall League, 12 points separate 1st from 26th in the Knockouts.
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SWITZERLAND 2 ALGERIA 0
Well Neil Mullen didn't get this one spot-on but he did have the Switzerland win (3-2) for 2 points. Richard Bounds went for a draw, so Neil is now 12 points clear at the top while Richard's stay in 2nd is very short-lived... back to where he started the day in 4th. Nick Mullen has come from nowhere with four correct scores in a row to take 2nd, equal on points with Ryan Keenan in 3rd, and Richard B 4th. Mike Moore stays top of the Knockout Stage League.
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PORTUGAL 2 CROATIA 1
Sickener... a 94th minute winner for Portugal gives Neil Mullen his fifteenth correct score of the competition to increase his lead further at the top. It's a massive 5 points with Ryan Keenan on 0-0 (zero points) and Richard Hancy on 0-1 for -2. Neil's lead is back to a big 10 points. Richard Bounds had 2-1 also, and is now 2nd. With Richard H losing 2 points, Mike Moore goes top of the Knockout Stage League.
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SPAIN 3 AUSTRIA 0
A popular score, but not as much so as 2-0 so that late third goal is significant. Three of our top four went for 2-0 so great news for Richard Hancy in 3rd who takes all 5 points. Mike Fischer takes 3 points but slips from 5th to 6th with Alison Giovannetti into the top five. Richard H stays top of the Knockout Stage League and the gap is up from a point to 3. Norah Ettaouchi is Richard’s new chief challenger, up three spots to 2nd.
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