The Pop World Cup SEMI-FINAL; 2: Portugal v France

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The second semi-final pits thebopkids' Portugal against atommickbrane's France. Portugal are no minnows but their fans will be surprised and pleased by their progress, which commentators are putting down to the canny scouting policies of the manager and his Argentinian assistant. France must be congratulated for being the only one of the pre-tournament favourites to hold their nerve and make it through to a potential place on pop's biggest stage: they have strength in depth but will la boss get the formation right today?

Two sides with a commitment to attacking pop - it should be a good match! Head to http://www.freakytrigger.co.uk/popworldcup/ for your downloads - and get voting!

Portugal

OVO - "Dormir" - Urbane boss thebopkids told us "Pop, the glory game. It’s not about the winning and losing, it’s about the style with which you set about the opponent.

I have to be truthful, we in the Portuguese camp are happy to be here. No-one really fancied us to progress to this stage. But now we’re here, it’s not enough. We’re determined to go all the way. We’ve shown ourselves to be a versatile team: any manager who can field Fonzie alongside Furtado has to know how to mix it up. So far, I’m not sure our opponents have known what to expect. They’re set up for our direct game, we play it short and compact, or vice versa, and so on.

And so, it’s the semi-final, the biggest match of most of our boys’ careers. What can we do but mix it up again? This time we’re playing in a more considered style, slowing it down, complex passing shapes, keeping possession, flowing into attack when the opposition aren’t looking.

In some ways we’re closer now to a truly Portuguese style than we have been in this tournament. The whiff of fado, which I and my backroom staff keep hinting at, is here for all to enjoy. Our fans at home will be pleased. But just as our seafaring nation prides itself on its internationalism, so we’re not playing a conservative game, imports from all around the pop world give us strength at the back, up-to date tactics and modern training methods.

We’ll be playing this game in the positive spirit of world pop. I hope it’s a spectacle all can enjoy."

France

Alain Braxe and Fred Falke - "Rubicon" - Excitable gaffer atommicbrane told us "France France France France! France France France France! What, do you want WORDS from me? Sometimes, you don't need words - we've had the Patte-r (do you see) of les banlieus, sixties birds singing about Agatha Christie and modern day she-males telling their tales of the Disco - but now, let's just feel the POWER OF THE VORGEY NOISE! Let's let Alan Braxe, not forgetting Fred Falke, bring back THE power-synth anthem of the Poptimists and FEEL THE LOVE! France France France, France France France, France France France! VORGE ON!"

So, how do we decide who goes through to the final?


It's very simple - just listen to each track and give it a mark from 0 to 5 in the poll below. If you don't want to use the poll, send your votes to freakytrigger@gmail.com.

[Poll #743519]


The results will go up next TUESDAY (voting ends at NOON that day), and there will then be a 2-week break (while I'm on holiday) before the final. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE POP WORLD CUP - only four games to go, and they're all going to be crackers!

Comments

First Impressions

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Their morale clearly boosted by the win over England, for this is the most impressive side Portugal have put out in this tournament. A mix of classic tactics with new tricks, delicate passing build-up and leading to incisive attacks - delightful football, Brian.

As for France, there's no doubting the pedigree of this side, whose players have between them claimed a glittering array of club prizes. It's going to be tight, and they'll have to hope the relative familiarity of the side and the way they play doesn't give their opponents an opening. Quality to spare - either side could nudge this one, or we might even see penalties...

[byebyepride.livejournal.com]

OMG! Portugal have put in an incredible attack already! Can the French cope? They've got a solid, dependable team for sure, but might they have decided to rest on their laurels a little too soon? Where I'm standing, Portugal could provide another big upset!

[http://users.livejournal.com/xyzzzz__/]

Two "Golden" generations: one (France) whose destiny has been fulfilled by triumphs at both WC and Euro chamionships, the other (Portugual) remained merely a promise - the fake Brazil.

But history (so often, crushingly, on one side over the other) has unexpectedly turned! The mix has finally come good: Big Phil has managed to get the best out of Christiano Ronaldo by getting the fiery, easily riled baby boy to keep his cool and let his talents show whereas Zidane has run out of gas in the 2nd half, Henry is forever stuck and Giuly's absence from the squad is now felt. Its a good showing but I'm afraid it could be their last.

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

i think the VORGEY noise will have us for breakfast meself like. the whole ovo alBUM is online here:

http://www.ovolandia.com/cblog/index.php?/categories/2-audio

it's pretty good.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I'm finding this a thrilling, furious encounter from the kick off. Agree that Portgual have really pulled out the stops and are perhaps surprising with their pace and spirit - just when you think they're going to lose possession after such breakneck pace they manage to regain control.

France's tactics here are no surprise and this could yet backfire. It's a dazzling, majestic pass n' move game fusing Zidanean elegance with Platiniesque nous that's worked for them successfully in the past and while I don't think they can really improve on it I was wondering if they might not be able to update and retune the side two/three years on. The team has aged well but nonetheless it has aged (as with Germany in the second round).

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

France France France! Whilst fielding a line-up that might be more familar to some enthusiastic followers of the Glorious Game - I can't help but feel that fans to the Pop World Cup, old and new, will love the dazzling ability of our players, shining their quality like beacons and VORGING goals left right - and, you know what... I think also.... CENTRE!!!

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

oi oi oi! France fields the team - to a man - that swept Ligue 1 not so long ago. There's no way pop minnows Portgual can't be nervous about their chances.

[(Anonymous)]

(Passwordless Tim here!)

I think it's fair to say that we are a little nervous, we have every respect for the French team, their excellent manager and their star players.

However, playing philosphies differ. I have to say I prefer the way we play the game to style of this particular generation of the French are approaching things, so my nerves are tempered with a confidence that we've got a really good team this time out.

Whether the referee will see it that way, I've no idea.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I've seen the bulk of this French team before as it's comprised of the remarkable PSG side of the early 00s. however they benefitted then from a couple of American imports, notably the young lad Deon of AFC Miami Bass.

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

A French spokesman says "qu'est que ci que ca" and "shoooot it, vous anoooraque" :)

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

Also, whilst respecting the ethos of the Portuguese (whilst not being able to download track!), I'd like to put in a good word for the French ability to multi-genre - no tracks have been in any way similar, showing the full range of our talented players - and we're not by any means, finished in the auditorita! Auditoriums? English IS my second langue you kno.

i can bring portugal down with six words

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

"Don't you think they're looking MARDY"?

:)

Re: i can bring portugal down with six words

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I think the word you are looking for begins with G.

hit it from the back

[cis.livejournal.com]

Ha when I was listening through to these tracks I got really confused cos I kept thinking of yr bootleg and expecting dude's voice to come in!

[awesomewells.livejournal.com]

This is the best Portuguese performance thus far. Sadly it's marred by France bringing out the BIG GUNS.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Yes! thebopkids has seemingly taken the past bad press from this particular writer to heart. An awesome performance from Portugal just when they need it. I think this will be really close.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

...tho Rubicon still sounds great too.

they've all gone pozpunk ovah there!

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

:D

[koganbot]

Must say I'm pleased with these semifinals. Style, pretension, adolescence, wisdom, warmth, soul. And that's just the Portuguese. How will the French respond (and were we expecting the French to be on defense so early)? Mesmerism! A style to lull you and then stow you. But are the Portuguese lullable? They will dance with rage and not sing it lullabies.

Real Spice Don't Wear Pants