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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