Possibly the first of many. So, I bought 40 more packets and in the first 10 packets got nine new stickers. In the second ten packets, I got 2 new stickers and the wheels were definitely coming off. In the third ten, I got 3 new stickers, meaning I needed the last ten packets - 50 stickers - to provide 21 new stickers if I was to get to the Panini order threshold. I actually got five. Assuming a similar swap ratio I'd need another 30 packets to get to the magic fifty needed.
Hence I decided to order enough to get to that threshold from collectabubble.com, but was surprised to find that they don't actually have every sticker. As they were ten pence and Panini charge fourteen, I ordered as many that I needed as I could and the rest, including sticker 00, from Panini. I got an e-mail confirming that the ordered stickers would be sent out from collectabubble, but a rather vague order confirmation from Panini giving no estimate of delivery date.
I haven't done a statistical analysis of the two boxes I initially bought to confirm if they conform to the Swiss mathematical findings because it's a lot of work and I can't be arsed. An educated guess based on the fact that I didn't get more than three swaps of any one sticker is that it did match with their findings.
Friday 18 July 2014
Monday 14 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 25
So, the World Cup is over but the sticker collecting goes on. The predicted 2-1 to the land of silver went awry as they won silver. An extra time goal from the bloggers' favourite Chas und Dave song, Götze. And my bet from roughly a fortnight ago that Germany would win the Cup comes in. Bastian Schweinsteiger makes it through 120 minutes despite a "punch in the face" from Sergio Aguero that left a cut on his cheek. The Argentina team group seems rather ironic given the eventual result and Rodrigo Palacio comes on in the 78th minute and misses a gilt-edged chance
by trying to lift it over Neuer. He also showcases his awful rat's tail ponytail, which doesn't make up for the male pattern baldness which can't be seen from his World cup sticker, but is fairly obvious, along with the rat's tail trying to hide itself inside his shirt through shame, in a card showing him in his Genoa days. He looks surprisingly like former Exeter City striker Daniel Nardiello.
Missing: 85 (hence got 555)
Swaps: 482
Complete sets: Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Italy, Ecuador, France, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Germany.
Least: 10 Cameroon and South Korea (but also missing 8 of 24 stadium stickers)
Most Swaps: 30 Iran
28 Croatia, France
Least Swaps: 2 South Korea
3 Cameroon and Belgium, and those Belgian swaps were all in the
last six packets.
Complete Pages: 31
Most Individual Swaps: 3 Nineteen different stickers
Longest Sequence of Stickers: 61 Numbers 421 - 481
Longest missing sequence: 9 Numbers 627 - 635
Betting total: -£13.32
I bought 40 more packets from the Co-op, in the belief that an average of one new sticker per packet - roughly what I was averaging near the end - will see me below 50 stickers. I was served by a Polish assistant that a mate of mine thinks is mad. He counted the packets silently, I was tempted to count them out loud but I'd have been counting in English and he'd probably be counting mentally in Polish. In the first ten packets I get 9 new stickers. A fair start, but below the required rate.
Today I read of a guy who finished his 1996 Premiership sticker album by tracking down the six players he still needed - I don't fancy tracking down assorted Australians, Bosnians and South Koreans in nearly 20 years time. But then he threw his album in the sea and wrote a book. Bloody publicity hound.
Before moving on, and I will be back with an epilogue or possibly more, there's something that's been bugging me for most of the tournament: why was Reni, the drummer of The Stone Roses, so keen to see the back of Spain ?
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| Via affaritaliani.it |
Missing: 85 (hence got 555)
Swaps: 482
Complete sets: Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Italy, Ecuador, France, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Germany.
Least: 10 Cameroon and South Korea (but also missing 8 of 24 stadium stickers)
Most Swaps: 30 Iran
28 Croatia, France
Least Swaps: 2 South Korea
3 Cameroon and Belgium, and those Belgian swaps were all in the
last six packets.
Complete Pages: 31
Most Individual Swaps: 3 Nineteen different stickers
Longest Sequence of Stickers: 61 Numbers 421 - 481
Longest missing sequence: 9 Numbers 627 - 635
Betting total: -£13.32
I bought 40 more packets from the Co-op, in the belief that an average of one new sticker per packet - roughly what I was averaging near the end - will see me below 50 stickers. I was served by a Polish assistant that a mate of mine thinks is mad. He counted the packets silently, I was tempted to count them out loud but I'd have been counting in English and he'd probably be counting mentally in Polish. In the first ten packets I get 9 new stickers. A fair start, but below the required rate.
Today I read of a guy who finished his 1996 Premiership sticker album by tracking down the six players he still needed - I don't fancy tracking down assorted Australians, Bosnians and South Koreans in nearly 20 years time. But then he threw his album in the sea and wrote a book. Bloody publicity hound.
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| Via whoateallthepies.tv |
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| Via john-squire.com |
Sunday 13 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 24
Third Place day. I didn't realise they actually got bronze medals, thought it was just a prestige
thing. Anyhow, today's prediction Brazil 0 Netherlands 1. Another chance for Brazil to humiliate themselves or possibly redeem themselves, although coming back from a 7-1 defeat won't be easy.
With supreme irony it was 1-0 for thirteen minutes which was ended by the player whose sticker I got, Daley Blind, who is later carried off. Brazil went on to complete conceding double figures in two games with a 3-0 defeat.
Well, it's over. I still need 92 stickers but have only 30 to reveal, so even the chance of ordering the last fifty from Panini has gone. I've decided to take the Swiss survey I mentioned earlier as a guide - OK, I have no-one to swap with - but they recommended one box and forty packets, so I'm going to buy another forty packets and just over one new sticker per packet will see me to below the Panini order threshold. If that doesn't work out then I will have to consider ordering from another company (eg collectabubble, who are cheaper per sticker anyway) despite hoping that ordering from Panini will bring the elusive 00 Panini sticker. With my determination to finish the set by hook or by crook, I have asked paninicheapskates whether they will do a sticker of me to put in the 'mypanini' space on the same page as the 00 sticker.
The Final prediction: Germany 1 Argentina 2, courtesy of stickers Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Argentina team group and Rodrigo Palacio.
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| Via worldcupballs.info |
With supreme irony it was 1-0 for thirteen minutes which was ended by the player whose sticker I got, Daley Blind, who is later carried off. Brazil went on to complete conceding double figures in two games with a 3-0 defeat.
Well, it's over. I still need 92 stickers but have only 30 to reveal, so even the chance of ordering the last fifty from Panini has gone. I've decided to take the Swiss survey I mentioned earlier as a guide - OK, I have no-one to swap with - but they recommended one box and forty packets, so I'm going to buy another forty packets and just over one new sticker per packet will see me to below the Panini order threshold. If that doesn't work out then I will have to consider ordering from another company (eg collectabubble, who are cheaper per sticker anyway) despite hoping that ordering from Panini will bring the elusive 00 Panini sticker. With my determination to finish the set by hook or by crook, I have asked paninicheapskates whether they will do a sticker of me to put in the 'mypanini' space on the same page as the 00 sticker.
The Final prediction: Germany 1 Argentina 2, courtesy of stickers Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Argentina team group and Rodrigo Palacio.
Thursday 10 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 23
Think I mentioned yesterday that today's prediction - you may have noticed that due to the UK-Brazil time difference, with games ending late at night UK time, this blog is a day in arrears - is a 2-2 draw. And that would have been a far more interesting game than the borefest we got. The stickers also throw up two no-shows Rafael van der Vaart and Ever Banega, while Dirk Kuyt gets to take one of the penalties and Pablo Zabaleta lasts 120 minutes. The highlight of the game was Ezekiel Garay hoofing the ball into the crowd because he only had one boot on and wanted time to put the other back on.
So Alex Sabella becomes the first (to the best of my knowledge) ex-Leeds United player to manage a side in the World Cup Final. So a reminder of when stickers/ trading cards would sometimes be faked. An old Dauily Star trading card where Alex Sabella's face has been cut and pasted onto someone else's body, I think possibly Frank Gray.
And if you thought tonight's game was a lot of balls...
With 101 stickers still needed and only 60 to reveal it's unlikely that I'll get down to the fifty ordering threshold of Panini - requiring a 85% success rate - so alternative means will be needed. The small profit of two correct results for the semis has brought me down to a loss of £17.95. It'll be a bit tricky to make that up from four fifty pence bets.
And finally paninicheapskates can really show up how scary some of the stickers are. I give you potential Dr Who villain, Australia's Mark Milligan.
So Alex Sabella becomes the first (to the best of my knowledge) ex-Leeds United player to manage a side in the World Cup Final. So a reminder of when stickers/ trading cards would sometimes be faked. An old Dauily Star trading card where Alex Sabella's face has been cut and pasted onto someone else's body, I think possibly Frank Gray.
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| Via e-bay |
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| Via spanishleeds.blogspot |
With 101 stickers still needed and only 60 to reveal it's unlikely that I'll get down to the fifty ordering threshold of Panini - requiring a 85% success rate - so alternative means will be needed. The small profit of two correct results for the semis has brought me down to a loss of £17.95. It'll be a bit tricky to make that up from four fifty pence bets.
And finally paninicheapskates can really show up how scary some of the stickers are. I give you potential Dr Who villain, Australia's Mark Milligan.
Wednesday 9 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 22
The prediction for the first semi-final is Brazil 0 Germany 1. And that was the correct score - with the lone sticker, Thomas Muller, the scorer - for 12 minutes. Then it became two-nil. A minute later it was 3-0. Two minutes after that 4-0 and 3 minutes subsequently 5-0, which was when I fell off the sofa laughing. Brazil improved by 60% in the second half, only conceding two more and finally managing to get a goal back, having spent most of the second half seemingly believing that a wonder goal was worth five. Brazil had not lost at home in a competitive game since 1975 or ever lost to
Germany in a competitive game. if you're going to do something, do it with style. I had considered that a good headline had it stayed 1-0 would have been 'Mullered'. Brazil ended well and truly mullered.
The prediction for tonight's semi is Netherlands 2 Argentina 2. I have got amongst the stickers half of the stadium in Natal thus completing a page of 12 stadium stickers. The other page of 12 stadium stickers only has 3 on it.
Germany in a competitive game. if you're going to do something, do it with style. I had considered that a good headline had it stayed 1-0 would have been 'Mullered'. Brazil ended well and truly mullered.
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| Via telegraph.co.uk
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Sunday 6 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 21
Think this is pretty much unprecedented: one correct result and one correct score.
A remarkable enough start with a correct result but also the only goalscorer
Gonzalo Higuain as one of the day's stickers. Bit wide of the mark with 4-1; Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi starts but does not finish, Marcos Rojo is not selected despite playing well in the tournament thus far and Sergio 'Kun' Aguerro (a nickname phonically only one letter away from that of his ex-father-in-law, Diego Maradona) also fails to make an appearance, but he is injured. Belgian sticker Toby Alderweireld contrives to get himself booked.
Again when I get a 0-0 prediction the only talking point is how long it stayed scoreless. It is with great joy that I can tell you 120 minutes. Despite the £6 this made me plus the correct result for both games the betting is still adrift to the tune of £18.93, not one of my favourite tunes.
Today I got the sticker of Korea's Hong Jeong-Ho. Isn't that what Jay Z called Beyoncé in Crazy In Love ? I imagine that's the sort of thing that might get you punched in a lift.
With 116 stickers still needed and only 110 to reveal the dream of getting a full set without ordering any has died. And the possibility of getting down to less than fifty needed looks decidedly dodgy.
A remarkable enough start with a correct result but also the only goalscorer
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| Via footballcardsdirect.com, another way of getting wanted stickers for only ten pence each |
Again when I get a 0-0 prediction the only talking point is how long it stayed scoreless. It is with great joy that I can tell you 120 minutes. Despite the £6 this made me plus the correct result for both games the betting is still adrift to the tune of £18.93, not one of my favourite tunes.
Today I got the sticker of Korea's Hong Jeong-Ho. Isn't that what Jay Z called Beyoncé in Crazy In Love ? I imagine that's the sort of thing that might get you punched in a lift.
With 116 stickers still needed and only 110 to reveal the dream of getting a full set without ordering any has died. And the possibility of getting down to less than fifty needed looks decidedly dodgy.
Saturday 5 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 20
Today's predictions are France 3 Germany 2 and Brazil 1 Colombia 3.
By getting Olivier Giroud, I complete the French set, this must be a good omen, mustn't it ? However, I did complete Germany first so maybe not. The German squad had apparently been affected by flu during the week, but both sides played as if under the influence of some malady. The only goal is scored from a Toni Kroos free kick, and Sami Khedira returns to bolster midfield. The three French stickers: the aforementioned Giroud, Patrice Evra and Mamadou Sakho all get on the field (I was going to put 'play' but it's difficult to tell whether France even turned up), Sakho being substituted twenty minutes from time.
In the other game Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 and my Brazilian sticker is Bernard, who sadly hasn't got a look in at this World Cup. It would have been a fitting tribute to actress Patsy Byrne who died last week and played Queen Elizabeth's nurse in Blackadder, who shared her name with the Brazilian winger. The biggest part played by any sticker, although it would have done simply by being the only one on the field as Macnelly Torres was not selected for the Colombian squad and Falcao is injured, is by Camilo Zuniga who makes the challenge that rules Neymar Jr out of the rest of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Brazil cope without him. Anyhow with Colombia goes my £1 on them to win the tournament, a bet placed four days ago.
And as it's a Saturday I can reveal that the predictions for the games that will take place later today (July 5th) are Argentina 4 Belgium 1 and Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0. Watch this space.
By getting Olivier Giroud, I complete the French set, this must be a good omen, mustn't it ? However, I did complete Germany first so maybe not. The German squad had apparently been affected by flu during the week, but both sides played as if under the influence of some malady. The only goal is scored from a Toni Kroos free kick, and Sami Khedira returns to bolster midfield. The three French stickers: the aforementioned Giroud, Patrice Evra and Mamadou Sakho all get on the field (I was going to put 'play' but it's difficult to tell whether France even turned up), Sakho being substituted twenty minutes from time.
In the other game Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 and my Brazilian sticker is Bernard, who sadly hasn't got a look in at this World Cup. It would have been a fitting tribute to actress Patsy Byrne who died last week and played Queen Elizabeth's nurse in Blackadder, who shared her name with the Brazilian winger. The biggest part played by any sticker, although it would have done simply by being the only one on the field as Macnelly Torres was not selected for the Colombian squad and Falcao is injured, is by Camilo Zuniga who makes the challenge that rules Neymar Jr out of the rest of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Brazil cope without him. Anyhow with Colombia goes my £1 on them to win the tournament, a bet placed four days ago.
And as it's a Saturday I can reveal that the predictions for the games that will take place later today (July 5th) are Argentina 4 Belgium 1 and Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0. Watch this space.
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| Via paninicheapskates
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Wednesday 2 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 19
For the last pair of Round of 16 games, the predictions are Switzerland 0 Argentina 1 and Belgium 2 USA 2. I get half of the Sao Paulo stadium where the first game takes place.
It needs to be stressed here that I'm betting on the score after 90 minutes and therefore the fact that Argentina win 1-0 after extra time is of no use to me. And I slept through most of the game. The lone sticker, Lionel Messi, sets up the goal for Angel Di Maria. Di Maria has a poor game and Alan Shearer says that he "keeps hitting front man with his balls". In many ways I think that's worse than what Saurez did. Di Maria apparently set a new World Cup finals record for most misplaced passes.
In the second game, Belgium v USA also ends goalless after ninety minutes but is a much more absorbing match. In extra time Belgium go two up in the first period, but the USA get one back right at the start of the second period but that is the end of the For the USA Tim Howard plays a blinder in goal but Eddie Johnson goes off injured, Belgian stickers are Eden Hazard who has a subdued game and Christian Benteke failed to make the squad due to injury. Howard sets a record for most saves in a World cup finals game since records began. And if your interested 'since records began' with regard to this sort of statistic is 1966.
The quest is almost over as I require 137 stickers with 190 left to reveal. Therefore I need a success rate of 72% to complete the set or 45.7% to be able to order from Panini. Betting running total: -£23.58.
A stadium drawing on paninicheapskates.com is reminiscent of an old King Crimson album cover, but from the 'in the mouth looking out' angle.
It needs to be stressed here that I'm betting on the score after 90 minutes and therefore the fact that Argentina win 1-0 after extra time is of no use to me. And I slept through most of the game. The lone sticker, Lionel Messi, sets up the goal for Angel Di Maria. Di Maria has a poor game and Alan Shearer says that he "keeps hitting front man with his balls". In many ways I think that's worse than what Saurez did. Di Maria apparently set a new World Cup finals record for most misplaced passes.
In the second game, Belgium v USA also ends goalless after ninety minutes but is a much more absorbing match. In extra time Belgium go two up in the first period, but the USA get one back right at the start of the second period but that is the end of the For the USA Tim Howard plays a blinder in goal but Eddie Johnson goes off injured, Belgian stickers are Eden Hazard who has a subdued game and Christian Benteke failed to make the squad due to injury. Howard sets a record for most saves in a World cup finals game since records began. And if your interested 'since records began' with regard to this sort of statistic is 1966.
The quest is almost over as I require 137 stickers with 190 left to reveal. Therefore I need a success rate of 72% to complete the set or 45.7% to be able to order from Panini. Betting running total: -£23.58.
A stadium drawing on paninicheapskates.com is reminiscent of an old King Crimson album cover, but from the 'in the mouth looking out' angle.
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| Via paninicheapskates |
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| via superstarthegump.com |
Tuesday 1 July 2014
Stickers: World Cup Day 18
Today's predictions: France 2 Nigeria 0 and Germany 1 Algeria 0.
For only the second time a prediction proves right. France do indeed beat Nigeria2-0 but take a long time to score the first. Mathieu Debuchy plays the full game and the French badge amazingly remains unkissed despite the relief at the late, late(ish) show. Joseph Yobo celebrates becoming the Nigerian to have played most matches in World Cup finals by putting through his own goal.
In the second game I got a surprisingly good run for my money with it finishing 0-0 in normal
time. The only sticker I got was of Marco Reus who missed out on the tournament through injury. Having failed to score in 90 minutes, the Germans score in 90 seconds of extra time. Germany went on to win 2-1 in extra time with the 'winning' goal scored - before Algeria got one back - by Mesut Ozil.
And the runner up is: Colombia, their badge completing the set. As they are still in the tournament I will have an each way bet on them, but I'm troubled by this as they are playing the hosts and in the same half as my other 'tip', Germany.
For only the second time a prediction proves right. France do indeed beat Nigeria2-0 but take a long time to score the first. Mathieu Debuchy plays the full game and the French badge amazingly remains unkissed despite the relief at the late, late(ish) show. Joseph Yobo celebrates becoming the Nigerian to have played most matches in World Cup finals by putting through his own goal.
In the second game I got a surprisingly good run for my money with it finishing 0-0 in normal
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| Mesut Ozil, via acertaincinema.com |
And the runner up is: Colombia, their badge completing the set. As they are still in the tournament I will have an each way bet on them, but I'm troubled by this as they are playing the hosts and in the same half as my other 'tip', Germany.
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