Looking at the captain's or manager's chart in relation to transits would tell us something, I'm sure, although I've always felt that, with 11 men on a team, the picture is probably a lot more complicated.

My predictions are not doing that well as getting half of them correct when they are favourites is not exactly 'stellar performance.' One of the reasons may be that philosophical bit I posted on dazmadrigal's World Cup thread in Nativities. This concerned the length of time an event chart is supposed to be valid for. For example, England was favoured in the match against Portugal at kick-off, but one hour and two hours later Portugal looked better. Similarly for the Brazil vs France match, Brazil was slightly favoured roughly for the first hour or hour and a half (elapsed time), but then France received strong support from their significator (the Moon) entering the 7th house, making them the likely winners (although the goal was scored in the 57th minute and the transition is in the 67th minute with Placidus houses, so I'm not sure how valid this is; only in the Meridian, MC on 10th, and Morinus house systems does the ingress take place prior to the 57th minute - assuming no delays).

Nevertheless, looking at just the kick-off charts, the underdogs (Italy and Portugal) should prevail in the semis, with the trophy going to the favourite (Italy) in the final. So my updated prediction is as follows:

1. Italy
2. Portugal
3. Germany
4. France

I will do a more detailed analysis as per the above if I have the time for it.

I agree re the semis. I'm going for a 1-0 win to Italy and I think the second game will go to penalties with Portugal winning.

I hope I'm wrong about Portugal, for obvious reasons

As neither of the new superpowers, USA and China, are interested in the WC, and all the finalists are european, I would suggest to change the name to "Europe and non-alignement countries Cup"

I've analyzed the Germany vs Italy match in more detail (July 4, 21:00, Dortmund). The Germans are currently trading at 2.42 and Italy at 3.70 on Betfair. The backdrop is that Italy (the underdog) has a slight advantage through-out the game mostly due to the placement of Cap Asc ruler Saturn (favourite) in the 7th house (underdog's territory). There are two major events modifying this picture as far as I can see:

1. Part of Fortune opposing the Moon (underdog), helping the favourite: from 9:24 (24th min) to 10:00 (45th min).
2. Moon casting a square to the Asc, helping the underdog: from 10:09 (54th min) to 10:40 (85th min).

So from this it appears that the Italians will start reasonably well, but the latter part of the first half belongs to the Germans. However, Italy should be dominating most of the second half, which I believe will give the match to them. Which means that the kick-off chart is indicative of the final outcome for this match (today, but don't ask me tomorrow ).

I'll try to look at the other semi later tomorrow.

Hi Peter,

Interesting method, moving the chart along in real time. Gosh, there are so many ways of looking at these things aren't there?

Do you have a prediction for the score?

Cheers,
Fi

Fi,

I haven't looked at the chart in terms of scoring. Btu now that you asked, here is what I see:

• - Right from the start, Asc ruler Saturn and MC ruler Mars are badly placed (7th and 8th houses, respectively). Mars is opposed by Neptune and also moves into the 7th soon. Saturn receives a sextile from Venus but is squared by Jupiter. So that's pretty bad for the favourite, and Italy may score in the first 20-25 minutes.
  
  - The lift Germany gets from the Moon opposing Fortuna for the rest of the first half doesn't look that significant because the Moon is well placed in the 9th and is receiving a sextile from Pluto.
  
  - Germany gets another slight chance for the first 8 minutes of the second half when the Moon is in the 8th but not squaring the Asc yet.
  
  - From that point on, Italy's chances are increasingly better: Moon sq Asc, Jupiter (later ruler of MC) in the 8th, Mercury (later ruler of IC) in 7th opposing Asc.

So perhaps several chances for Italy and one at the most for Germany. Final score? 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 for Italy.

Italy won this one 2-0. The goals came at the end of extension time, at 11:28 and 11:30 pm EDT. The Italians more or less dominated the match, but neither side could convert chances into goals during regular time.

At the time of the goals, the Mars-Neptune opposition just passed the Des-Asc angle, and the Venus-Uranus square lined up with IC-MCsq. The Sun was on the cusp of the 6th, the Moon on the 8th.

Regarding the Portugal vs France match, the results of real-time analysis are mixed. Portugal (underdog) seems to have the upper hand for most of regulation time, but France (favourite) gains significantly during the first part of the second half. Score could be 1-0 to Portugal or 1-1 if France can capitalize in the second half. If the game goes to extension, France receives sufficient support to turn the match around.

So far two favourites, Brazil and Germany, have been beaten with detrimented Saturn in 7th. This time the underdogs have fallen Moon, so not so clear-cut perhaps. There's more to it than that but it's one of the reasons why I thought this one would go to penalties.

The odds are interesting. Portugal to win in 90 mins - 3/1. After extra time - 14/1. After penalties - 9/1. France 90 mins - 10/11. Extra time - 12/1. Penalties - 9/1.

Very difficult to know with these matches at what stage there will be a result.

well if no one minds, this American votes for Portugal. why? cause I'm notorius for backing the Underdog! (Libra rising you see)

Granny.

Portugal just lost 0-1 even though they dominated the game (shots 12-5, corners 8-3, possession 59-41).

France advanced on a questionable penalty. The time was approximately 9:33 pm, and the only significant factor in the event chart at that time is how the Part of Fortune is courted by several planets:

1. The Sun perfects a sextile at 9:32
2. Venus semisextile 9:34
3. Uranus sextile 9:36
4. Nodes semi/sesquisquare 9:32

True, Pluto also crosses into the 11th (Regiomontanus) house at 9:36, but I'm not sure how to interpret that. The favourite (France), however, is clearly benefiting from all four aspects: Sun as general significator of vitality, Venus as Fortuna Minor, Uranus as significator of the unexpected (penalty), and difficulty for the Nodes as significators for the underdog (Cancer Descendant).

Italy should prevail in the final according to the heavens. I will look at the event chart in more detail shortly.

It was like watching England play. Portugal did everything but score. Oh well.....

Only two more matches to go (don't forget Saturday's). I shall have a look at them both nearer the time.