And the curse of the top room continues

Ireland was defeated by South Africa earlier today in a split decision. The no 1 team has been undone by the no 16 team for a second year in a row. Last year Pakistan lost to South Korea in a similar split in the octos last year. We Kiwis feel your pain, guys: our team, ranked no 2, and having won all of its 8 preliminary rounds at WSDC Singappore in 2002 was undone by the killer Kuwaits, ranked 15th at the end of the prelims. It hurts right now, Ireland, but congratulations for 8 great rounds and commiserations on your defeat.

BTW, Pakistan avenged its loss last year by beating South Korea 2-1 this year.

The wonderful Slovenian team also lost to Canada on a split in today's octos but hopefully, their stylish charge into the break rounds will be broadcast on national TV as there was a Slovenian crew in tow throughout the rounds. This was the best performance by a Slovenian team ever (and they're great kids too)- send us the CD, Slovenian TV!

Oh and by the way, the results are:

PROP OPP
Ireland 1 South Africa 2
England 3 Greece 0
Hong Kong 2 Philippines 1
Australia 3 Argentina 0
Singapore 2 Israel 1
Scotland 2 USA 1
Pakistan 2 South Korea 1
Slovenia 1 Canada 2

As you can see, many of these debates were close and hard fought as indicated by the splits.

The quarter finals and seni finals will be held tomorrow and that's when tiredness really sets in. It then becomes anyone's and everyone's chance! This may sound like Granny Claire speaking, but seriously, tell your teams to eat and sleep as well as they can tonight - tomorrow is not for the faint hearted.

Signing out in Seoul.

Kiwi Claire
(Sad that my team is not here but delighted to watch the performances of others.)