The office World Cup sweepstake is here, offering the thrilling opportunity to 'win' £1 by picking a team destined for immediate defeat. Meanwhile, one employee cleverly turned participation into paid leave.

THE World Cup is almost here, and with it the chance to pull a team out of a hat and lose £1 because it’s Panama. Which no-hopers have you been stuck with? <p><strong>THE World Cup is almost here, and with it the chance to pull a team out of a hat and lose £1 because it’s Panama. Which no-hopers have you been stuck with? </strong></p> <p><strong>Carolyn Ryan, senior manager:</strong> “Blue Curaçao. I don’t think whoever wrote this was giving it their full attention.”</p> <p><strong>Will McKay, m...