COLUMBUS, Ohio - Heading into Friday's World Cup Quarterfinal matches, Carol Merry from Fahlgren Mortine, The Crew's PR agency, leads the "2006 Media Cup Challenge" with 37 points. The "Media Cup Challenge" is a NCAA tournament-style bracket pool for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. T
There were 45 entries submitted, with 25 of the 45 participants picking World Cup favorite Brazil to win. WBNS-10TV Sports Producer Mutungwa Maleek Ndile sits in second place with 35 points and "Mr. High School Sports," Larry Larson, from 610 WTVN, is in third with 34 points. Matt McCoy, also of 610 WTVN, was the "2002 Media Cup Challenge" winner, but sits in a tie for 20th.
Crew Stadium's "Cup Headquarters" is gearing up for Friday's two quarterfinal matches between Germany-Argentina (10:55 a.m. ET) and Italy-Ukraine (2:55 p.m. ET). The other two quarterfinals are Saturday, with England taking on Portugal at 10:55 a.m. and Brazil facing France at 2:55 p.m. The semifinals are July 4 and July 5, with the third-place match on July 8 and the final on July 9.
More than 1,000 fans attended all three U.S. matches at Crew Stadium and over 7,000 have attended the first 19 days and 56 matches at "Cup Headquarters."
Crew Stadium is once again serving as "Cup Headquarters" and is hosting viewing parties for all 64 games of the World Cup in Germany that will be televised live on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
Admission to "Cup Headquarters" is free and complimentary snacks and Pepsi products will be provided. Budweiser product will be available for purchase, including tournament specials. In addition to juicy Bob Evans bratwursts being available for just $1 throughout the entire tournament, Best Buy will also provide TVs for the event. The games will be shown in the Stadium Club tent located just west of the stadium, via Time Warner Cable service.
Prizes will be given away daily, including a grand prize from Time Warner Cable. The grand prize is a free one-year package from Time Warner Cable that includes Basic, Standard and Premier Digital Cable service, including one digital set-top terminal and remote, the monthly Channel Guide, the MLS Direct Kick Digital Sports Package, residential Road Runner High Speed Online service, Digital Phone service with unlimited calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada and standard installation, a value of up to $1,800. Winners must live in an area serviceable by Time Warner Cable, Mid-Ohio Division, and be 18 years or older. Other restrictions may apply. The Crew will have a complete list of rules on site. Visitors to "Cup Headquarters" can register once per day. The grand prize will be given away at halftime of the World Cup Final on July 9.
Time Warner Cable will also give away five MLS Direct Kick Digital Sports Packages, with free upgrade connection on one TV, throughout the tournament. Winners must be 18 years or older and current subscribers to Time Warner Digital Cable, Mid-Ohio Division. Other restrictions may apply. Budweiser, an official 2006 FIFA World Cup partner, will also be giving away prizes during the viewing parties. U.S. Soccer merchandise will be available for purchase at the U.S. games.
The World Cup began on June 9 and runs through the July 9 final. The World Cup is the most anticipated and watched sporting event in the world. Thirty-two nations qualify for the World Cup Finals, which are held every four years, and they are drawn into eight groups of four. The top two teams in each group, after a three-game round-robin, advance to the Round of 16, which begins the knockout phase of the competition.
Below are the complete "Media Cup Challenge" standings heading into the quarterfinals.
2006 MEDIA CUP CHALLENGE STANDINGS
- Carol Merry, Fahlgren Mortine - 37
