World Cup Edition III

An astute statistician from Grantham 
Electrified footballing fandom, 
When he published a shocker 
That the points scored in soccer 
Were so low that the outcomes were random.  


Thanks to Richard Bookstaber for his analysis of sports score optimization in the Wall Street Journal, and congratulations to the Spanish supporters among you, whose celebrations are no doubt richly deserved. 

World Cup Edition II

Said Suarez: "Don't call me a cheat  
For defending with hands and not feet;
Though the ref may eject,
Uruguayans expect
I'll snatch victory from jaws of defeat."

World Cup Edition I

Maradona called all Argentinians
To cheer for his footballing minions:
"We're depending upon ya
To beat Alemania!"
But the Germans had other opinions.

Fair Play in the Gulf and on the Field

BP's like a good English goalie,
Who may let matters dribble by slowly,
But they're such jolly chaps,
That they'll help you, perhaps,
To even the tally up wholly.

Thanks to Sam Costanzo for this footballing analogy.

Overheard at the European Central Bank

"This bailout we've not had much luck at,
And it's us Greeks are running amuck at,
So we'll just watch, this week,
The World Cup en Afrique,
Which at least the Americans suck at."