The teams qualified for the Copa Libertadores round of 16 are already 
defined. In a surprising turn of events, Sao Caetano managed to qualify - so 
Brazil is the only country still 100% represented...

The 16 teams are composed of 4 Brazilians, 3 Argentineans, 2 Colombians, 
Ecuatorians, Chileans and 1 from Uruguay, Paraguay and Mexico.

But not for long, Sao Caetano will be paired against Palmeiras for one place 
between Libertadores' best 8.

Interestingly, the four alleged big favorites, Boca, Cruzeiro, Palmeiras and 
Vasco are not going to meet in the final in a so called group of death.

Round of 16 games start in the coming week!!

The pairings are :

ROUND 16
8   MAY 2001 - A. Rosario Central (Arg) V Cobreloa (Chi)
9   MAY 2001 - B. America Cali (Col) V Nacional Montevideo (Uru)
9   MAY 2001 - C. Emelec (Ecu) V River Plate (Arg)
10 MAY 2001 - D. Cerro Porteno (Par) V Cruz Azul (Mex)
9   MAY 2001 - E. Sao Caetano (Bra) V Palmeiras (Bra)
8   MAY 2001 - F. El Nacional (Ecu) V Cruzeiro (Bra)
9   MAY 2001 - G. Concepcion (Chi) V Vasco (Bra)
10 MAY 2001 - H. Junior Barranquilla (Col) V Boca Juniors (Arg)

QUARTER-FINALS
I. Winner of A V Winner of B
J. Winner of C V Winner of D
K. Winner of E V Winner of F 
L. Winner of G V Winner of H

SEMi-FINALS
M. Winner of I V Winner of J
N. Winner of K V Winner of L

FINAL
Winner of M V Winner of N


The pairings show the team playing the second game at home listed second.

Cobreloa (Chi) - Rosario Central (Arg)

It all depends on how Rosario Central will handle Cobreloa's incredible home 
field advantage (altitude + desert). The Argentineans are a technical
attacking side centered around the excellent Ezequiel Gonzales, rumoured to 
substitute for Rui Costa at Fiorentina.
My odds : Rosario 70-30


America Cali (Col) - Nacional Montevideo (Uru)

Nacional qualified on the top of an easy group, while America de Cali showed 
their limitations in the two beatings they received from Vasco. That is a
50-50.


Emelec (Ecu) - River Plate (Arg)

River Plate must get the best from Ortega and Saviola if they are to qualify 
with ease. My guess is that Emelec will not give up without a fight.
My odds : River 80-20.


Cerro Porteno (Par) - Cruz Azul (Mex)

That is perhaps the most interesting round of 16 match. Cruz Azul has the 
power of the Aztec stadium behind and a tactically smart team with some good 
defense work. Cerro Porteno have the best attack so far, with 17 goals in 6 
games, led by Guido "Magician" Alvarenga, which also shares responsibility 
for Paraguay's good moment in the WC qualifying.
My odds : Cerro 60-40.


Sao Caetano (Bra) - Palmeiras (Bra)

That is David versus Goliath, Paulista version. Even though Sao Caetano 
defeated Palmeiras in QF round of the Joao Havelange Cup, even though Sao 
Caetano finished the Paulista championship ahead of the Pigs, my gut feeling 
is that Palmeiras will walk from that alive.

Monday is the last day for registering new players. Palmeiras is rumoured to 
get Juninho Pernambucano in a loan until the beginning of the European 
season. If they make it, their creative line will have Alex, Juninho 
Pernambucano, Felipe and Lopes: 4 highly skilled players - as much art as 
any team in the world. The bad news are that they have a small team coach. 
My odds : Palmeiras 75-25.


El Nacional (Ecu) - Cruzeiro (Bra)

Some trouble in Quito in the first match, an easy solution in Belo Horizonte 
in the return match. Cruzeiro is as much a favorite for this Libertadores as 
you can get it. My odds: Cruzeiro 90-10.


Concepcion (Chi) - Vasco (Bra)

That is easily the most one-sided match of the eight. Vasco's attack has 
been fantastic lately : Juninho Paulista, Romario, Euller, Pedrinho... Their 
defense still needs some work, but Concepcion does not look like the kind of 
opposition that will harshly test it. I will buy no hedge on this one.
My odds : Vasco 98-2.


Junior Barranquilla (Col) - Boca Juniors (Arg)

That is the other balanced match in this round of 16. Argentinean teams have
had trouble in Colombia IIRC. Add the fact that Boca is only nominally the
same team that won the Intercontinental Cup six months ago. Granted that
they still have the coolest man on earth, Juan Roman Riquelme, but they are
missing fire power and the difference was felt in their poor campaign in the
Argentinean league.
My odds : Boca 60-40.


Bordon
bordon_is_gone@hotmail.com