SPAIN STUMBLE SETS UP JUICY CLASHES

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Group H Final Results

The Pop World Cup Group Stages ended with a bang - or maybe a bark - last night as Ukraine's shock win over Spain let them leapfrog the Iberian side to top Group H. Spain, already qualified after a win over the Saudis, stumbled to unexpected defeat as their brisk but one-dimensional attacking play simply could not cope with the Ukranian tricks and tempo changes. Spain went ahead within the first five minutes, but proved incapable of defending a lead and were punished on the break twice by their flamboyant opponents. The defeat leaves katstevens with a very difficult tie against France in the round of 16 - a game pundits are already predicting to be one of the matches of the tournament. Meanwhile Ukrainian boss juror8 is rewarded for his bold tactics by a winnable game against minnows Togo.


A Tunisian fan looks on in horror as the Saudis equalise

Tunisia's slim hopes of qualification rested on their ability to get a win over Saudi Arabia and on results elsewhere going their way. In the event neither end of the bargain was upheld: despite leading for much of the game they were unable to land the killer blow and a Saudi equaliser sent dorsalstop's dreams crashing to earth while restoring some pride to martinskidmore's side. The results in this group have been a poor reflection of two teams who have played good football throughout but who have simply lacked the firepower of their European opponents.

Group H Results In Full
UKRAINE - 148 points (Qualify as winners)
SPAIN - 136 points (Qualify)
TUNISIA - 113 points
SAUDI ARABIA - 103 points


Wednesday 15th March: Germany v England
Thursday 30th March: Trinidad and Tobago vs Ecuador
Wednesday 5th April: Ivory Coast vs Portugal
Wednesday 12th April: Iran vs Serbia and Montenegro
Wednesday 17th April: Ghana vs Japan
Wednesday 24th April: Brazil vs Czech Republic
Wednesday 1st May: France vs Spain
Wednesday 8th May: Ukraine vs Togo


Watch this space at lunchtime for a poll to find the players of the tournament so far.

Comments

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

The Iberian side congratulates the Ukraine on its deserved win, and hopes they haven't felt too scandalised by the centre-page exposé of the squad in the Metro last week...

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

"she holds me by the hair, i hold her by the [mercedes-benz]"

[juror8.livejournal.com]

I think it speaks to the strength of my players that not even the handicap of being Jo Whiley's single of the week could stop them from progressing.

Now considering the rest of Ukraine's music consists of folk and national socialist black metal, this should make the next round's pick slightly harder.

I KNOW WHAT I'D GO FOR BUT I AM EVIL

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

(ps i think saudi wz hard done by in this round ur all gay activists)

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Prepare to be bombarded by the rich pickings of Togo's golden pop legacy. Yes.

[juror8.livejournal.com]

I suppose it would add something of the Mighty Ducks feel to the tournament if I chose Ukraine's premier NSBM band The Aryan Terrorists and Togo overcame them.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Latest odds courtesy of Paddy Power:

England: 6/1
France: 7/1
Germany: 7/1
Japan: 8/1
Brazil: 10/1
Iran: 13/1
Trinidad & Tobago: 25/1
Portugal: 25/1
Spain: 25/1
Ukraine: 33/1
Serbia & Montenegro: 50/1
Czech Republic: 50/1
Ecuador: 66/1
Ghana: 100/1
Ivory Coast: 100/1
Togo: 100/1
Poptimism World Cup abandoned due to Bird Flu: 250/1

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Some excellent prices there Mr Power!

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

Spain def. look worth a punt at those prices.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Yes! The game with France is tough but winnable and if they get through that the draw might open up.

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Given current form my money is on Brazil The depth of Spain's attacking play has not yet been fully revealed!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I thought Tunisia were robbed a bit, actually.

[zenith.livejournal.com]

Eek, do you need something from me ASAP Tom?

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Yes, sorry!

[zenith.livejournal.com]

If I say that my entry should be what was going to my entry for the first round - the one I hadn't heard, but now have - will you know what I mean?

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Initials "LW"?

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Louis Walsh has released his own single?!

[juror8.livejournal.com]

LeeAnn Womack set to bring the kitchen-sink country to the PWC!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Since I've given a hint for England I should do the same for Germany - think veteran strikers.

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

the berlin philharmonic cond.herbert von karajan!

[dorsalstop.livejournal.com]

Cheers. Well, we congratulate Spain and the Ukraine of course, won fair and square, but do feel a little saddened. We think there was lots of great football/pop to come from our side in subsequent rounds.
Ah well.

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

I think I deserve some kind of prize for managing to finish bottom of two separate groups in this competition! That's an achievement that will not easily be matched!

Who Has Come To Save the Day? The Mighty Sparrow

[(Anonymous)]

Steve, I'd have to say with those odds I'd rush to put my money on Trinidad & Tobago, if I had any money, that is.

Kenny Rogers Spice

P.S. I thought Group H was the best of the tournament so far; I'd graded Tunisia slightly ahead of the rest, though my Ukrainian-Jewish blood surged with pride at the excellent results put forth by the quasi-Ukrainians, overcoming as they did the dual handicaps of only one actual Ukrainian on the pitch and a couple of other teams playing better music. A crucial fact in Gogol Bordello's favor is that Anthony Easton included Gypsy Punks on his 2005 Country Music Critics Ballot. And if you like the Gypsy Punks, you'll love fellow Slav expatriates Kultur Shock.

[jel-bugle.livejournal.com]

25-1? After such a barn-storming performance?

Y'all thought I'd be out by now. I thrive on this sort of adversity, even if I am just making it up.