By Murilo Cunha, Bart Smeets
🎙️ New DataTopics podcast episode! Listen to it here
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In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of AI predictions in sports, with a special focus on the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England. Join us as we explore:
- AI Predictions Revisited: Reflecting on the previous episode (listen here) about AI predictions and their accuracy, particularly Snowflake's prediction for Euro 2024.
- Challenges of Predictions: The complexities of predicting outcomes in football due to the group stage setup and other factors.
- National vs. Club Football: Differences in managing national teams versus club teams and the pressures of player selection.
- Valuing Players: Methods to measure the value of players, from ELO ratings to valuing actions by estimating probabilities.
- Psychological Pressure: How high-pressure situations impact player performance, referencing the study "Choke or Shine" with examples like Cristiano Ronaldo's goal and the importance of players who perform under pressure.
- Technology in Sports: The increasing role of technology in soccer, including goal line tech, offside simulations, and connected ball technology.
- Subjectivity of Offside Rules: The challenges of interpreting offside rules and the potential benefits and pitfalls of semi-automated offside technology. More info here.
- Technological Impact on Predictions: The influence of technological advancements on predicting outcomes in sports like NBA and soccer, and the potential future of AI in sports officiating.