SPAIN EMERGE FROM GROUP H SHAMBLES
Mar. 10th, 2006 10:41 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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poptimistsGroup H Initial Results
Spain held a narrow lead at the top of Group H last night, but their win over Tunisia was overshadowed by the bizarre antics on display in the Saudi-Ukraine match. The Saudi team had been through a lot in the run-up to the Pop World Cup, and it showed, with their fitful display never really sparking. In their opening match of the 2002 tournament they crashed 7-0 to a Michael Mayer-inspired Germany side, and a more ruthless team might have created a similar scoreline here, but the Ukrainians seemed more interested in entertaining their fans and each other with a succession of outrageous overhead kicks, flicks and goal celebrations where no goal had been scored, leading to several bookings for time-wasting. Ultimately though their chaotic approach didn't deny them a win, and the match settled down in the second half with the Saudis even briefly threatening to dispel the party atmosphere with an unlikely fightback.
Spain and Tunisia's match relied less on mayhem for entertainment and more on quality football, with the teams contrasting styles producing a compelling contest. Tunisia had strength at the back and built nicely, whereas the Spanish side relied on direct, effervescent attacking play, and ultimately this proved too much for Tunisia. Both sides created chances, and both sides turned them into goals, but as the Tunisian back four began to tire Spain struck to seal the win. Tunisia looked strong enough to bounce back, though, and the result of this group may well turn on the upcoming Tunisia-Ukraine clash.
(Vote here to influence the Group H results.)
Spain held a narrow lead at the top of Group H last night, but their win over Tunisia was overshadowed by the bizarre antics on display in the Saudi-Ukraine match. The Saudi team had been through a lot in the run-up to the Pop World Cup, and it showed, with their fitful display never really sparking. In their opening match of the 2002 tournament they crashed 7-0 to a Michael Mayer-inspired Germany side, and a more ruthless team might have created a similar scoreline here, but the Ukrainians seemed more interested in entertaining their fans and each other with a succession of outrageous overhead kicks, flicks and goal celebrations where no goal had been scored, leading to several bookings for time-wasting. Ultimately though their chaotic approach didn't deny them a win, and the match settled down in the second half with the Saudis even briefly threatening to dispel the party atmosphere with an unlikely fightback.
Spain and Tunisia's match relied less on mayhem for entertainment and more on quality football, with the teams contrasting styles producing a compelling contest. Tunisia had strength at the back and built nicely, whereas the Spanish side relied on direct, effervescent attacking play, and ultimately this proved too much for Tunisia. Both sides created chances, and both sides turned them into goals, but as the Tunisian back four began to tire Spain struck to seal the win. Tunisia looked strong enough to bounce back, though, and the result of this group may well turn on the upcoming Tunisia-Ukraine clash.
(Vote here to influence the Group H results.)
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no subject
Date: 2006-03-10 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-11 04:16 am (UTC)Also: nice touch in the Tunisian one: the initial voice line + its harmonic foil soon after = similar to "Love to Love You Baby" start. Maybe only in my head, but.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-11 04:49 am (UTC)I meet you 10:45 on the Broadway Canal
Di-di-di-DISKO RADIKAL TRANSGLOBAL!
and, and,
And I said
Mama -- diaspora!
Papa -- Gogol Bordello!
Hell yeah (?) [Ukrainian stuff]
and GIRLS were carrying LOADS!!
Hahahahaha
no subject
Date: 2006-03-11 04:53 am (UTC)Remember things, things that are eternal -- remember things -- YOU FORGET THE THINGS!!!
I'm waking people up now! Hahaha!
I JUDGE THAT THIS...
Date: 2006-03-12 12:54 pm (UTC)Saudi Arabia: the improv skills developed by their ex-manager underated by one and all -- noty least their CURRENT amanager! -- this team have honed trad moves unknown in Europe into a seamless Total Football where tiny details have huge cumulative effect
Spain: Less slight than the results suggest, Spain's reliance on an instrumentality beloved for its cheap simplicity speaks plenty for cheerful minor-league stubbornness -- as if lack of ambition were the height of Corinthian ambition! -- but on the day there can only be one winner.
TunisiaUkraine: aka RAVING ON THE WING (do you SEE?)!! If sheer glee can take you all the way through, Ukraine's victory is a lock!