With only one round of playoff games left, the Championship Day picture has a couple of key variables, making next week’s games……

Team Scotland

Team Scotland is undefeated and has locked down a spot in the Gold Medal Game. Period.

Team Slovenia

Team Slovenia is definitely favored to take the second spot in the Gold Medal Game against the same Scottish squad that beat the wheels off them last night. The only way Slovenia won’t play for gold is if Portugal and Italy both win next week. The pundits, predictors and prognosticators do not expect either to happen. BUT THAT’S WHY WE PLAY THEM!!!

Team Italy

The Italians are the wildcard in this playoff race. After finishing the regular season in LAST PLACE, the Italians have now guaranteed themselves a spot in the bronze game and can even play for GOLD if they beat Scotland next week and Slovenia loses to Portugal. Pretty cool for a squad that was the cellar dweller just a few short weeks ago.

Team Ireland

Ireland is out of the Gold game. They have finished the round robin with 2 points which will, at best, tie Slovenia. But Slovenia beat them in the Round Robin so the tie goes to Slovenia. Since Scotland is in the Gold game for sure, that means Ireland is out for sure. All the Irish can do is wait and hope that Portugal doesn’t beat Slovenia next week, which would knock the Leprechauns out of Champ Day altogether.

Team Portugal

Team Portugal are this year’s playoff losers. Spending most of the season in first place, they have managed only 1 point in three playoff games. They have played close games, averaging a difference of one goal per game, but it’s only the points you walk away with that count, and Portugal has failed to close. Now they are headed for the hot dog counter on Champ Day unless they can beat a playoff-ready Slovenian squad next week. Maybe the Lisbonites can recapture their regular season ways for this one. If they do, and if Italy beats Scotland, then after their match this Friday Portugal and Slovenia will have a re-match 41 hours later for Bronze.