I love World Cup draws almost as much as I love the next month every four years.
Last December, I had our staff help me in a mock World Cup draw for this year’s tournament. On Tuesday, I did my best <insert FIFA bigwig name here> and ran the staff World Cup pool. While I may never get to perform a true World Cup draw, Tuesday’s festivities served as just another milestone in my own career.
The draw was quite simple and straight forward as participants were asked to first choose a number 1-32 to determine the order. Once that was settled, we went about picking the nations with which we would live and die with over the next month (or maybe just a few weeks).
A photo blow-by-blow of the day’s festivities…
We'll start with Corporate Partnership's Matt Hoy who was so overjoyed with his choice of Cameroon (Odds: 1000/1) that he accidentally held the flag upside down.
Then there was the great reaction from Jeff Harbert who wasn't exactly pleased with with the laughter that followed after he drew Australia (Odds: 1000/1)
Fire Technical Director Brian Bliss will hope Greece (250/1) repeat their Euro 2004 performance in Brazil...
Hailing from Brazil, Fire Creative Services Manager Kayser dos Reis interestingly pulled Portugal (Odds: 25/1)
And though she may not look like it, Sponsorship's Lauren Griswold was pretty happy to have chosen reigning World and European champions Spain...
Now, we're all busy and sometimes can't make the big draw. In that case, you can designate a proxy to draw for you, or if none is designated, yours truly does it instead.
This was the case for Director of Business Development Paul Cadwell, who pulled Algeria (Odds 2000/1) and Team Videographer Leo Flores who got South Korea (Odds: 300/1)...
Of course, like any FIFA bigwig, I'd say I did myself proud enough by getting 2010 finalists, Holland (Odds: 25/1)...
But to be honest, the must successful Fire competitions draw participant by far is Mike Ernst. In 2010, he took finalists The Netherlands. In the Euro 2012 draw, he came away with eventual champions Spain.
Called over in passing when his number came up towards the end of Tuesday's draw, the Fire Sr. Vice President pulled World Cup hosts and favorites Brazil without the blink of an eye.
Time will tell if Mike strikes gold again... See the full results of Tuesday's Fire Staff World Cup draw...
