Time to settle this...

betting football world cup

... After school, on the soccer field.

OK, not really after school -- but it will happen at the school's soccer field. "What?" you ask? The winner of the World Cup pool will be crowned tomorrow. But not until the score is settled.

Let's rewind a bit...

Following helpful advice from the folks at UBS, I picked Italy to win the 2006 World Cup. But not before picking the results of the other 62 games leading up to finals.

I managed to maintain a ranking in the middle of the pack throughout most of the tournament. I was 10 points shy of the lead going into the final match. Fortunately, no one else had Italy in the final, so if the Azzurri were to win, I'd be tied for first place.

Well, as we all know -- since the tournament ended two weeks ago -- Italy defeated France. The first tie-breaker (because there can be only one highlan-- er, winner) was picking the 10-minute window when the final goal of the game would be scored. In order for me to win the pool, Italy needed to win, and the last goal of the game needed to be scored between the 75th and 85th minutes. If they won, but the final goal was between the 64th and 74th minutes: tie broken, I lose.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last two weeks, you know Italy won on penalty kicks after 120 minutes play. The only goals in regulation came in the first half; I got my 10 points but no tie was broken, which brings us to the present.

Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET, two worthy competitors will face off at a middle school soccer field for a penalty kick shootout. On the line: Bragging rights until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the $160 prize pool.

Update: I lost 6-4 (photos).