poptimists | The Pop World Cup: THE FINAL

Portugal vs Czech Republic

After FIVE MONTHS of poptastic polltastic play, the Pop World Cup final has finally arrived. And what an occasion it promises to be. We've seen shocks, clashes and some titanic performances, including two magnificent semi-finals. Can Portugal and the Czech Republic give us a final worthy of the name? Find out by going to http://www.freakytrigger.co.uk/popworldcup, downloading their tracks and voting in the poll below. No team talks this time, so let's look to our expert summarisers to find out what's at stake...

PORTUGAL: Loto - "Back To Discos"

Portugal, managed by 'Big Hop', have had a run to the finals characterised by tactical variety and direct play - at least until the quality of opposition in the semi final forced them to take a craftier and more creative approach. They've given us a lot of memories - the brutally direct pop approach of Fonzie, the showboating of Nelly Furtado - and they'll be hoping they can carry the cup home for the first time.
- Managed by

thebopkids
- Group D: second behind Iran with Dust E Oxhiz ("Toxic"-sampling hip-hop)
- Second Round: beat Cote D'Ivoire 2-1 with Fonzie (Busted-esque boy rockers)
- Quarter Final: beat England 2-1 with Nelly Furtado (you all know who she is)
- Semi Final: beat France 4-3 with OVO (jungly indie trip-hoppy pop)

CZECH REPUBLIC: Sarka Vankova - "Lasku Davej"

The Czech Republic have been the dark horses of the Pop World Cup, seeing their manager walk out before the first round, leading to a scratch team taking the field - and taking advantage of Italy's implosion to sneak past the USA. Their subsequent managerial appointment proved an inspired one, with Greg taking to his adopted country with gusto and proving himself a tactical wizard: taking the game to a complacent Brazil, matching Togo tackle for tackle in a dour game. and finally turning Iran's own tactics against them. Can the Czechs take the final step on their journey?
- Managed by

mostlyconnect from the Second Round.
- Group E: second behind Ghana with Ilona Csakova (last-ditch europop grab by managerless side)
- Second Round: beat Brazil 2-1 with Moimir Papescu and the Nihilists (wacky popsters)
- Quarter Final: beat Togo 1-0 with Fullcontact Crew (hard-tackling hip-hop)
- Semi Final: beat Iran 3-2 with Gabriela al Dhabba (slinky eastern pop)

It's very easy. Listen to both the songs, give them each a mark from 0 to 5. Marks should be on the merits of the tracks, NOT given simply to create a numerical advantage for a preferred team. Managers and support staff cannot vote.

[Poll #762486]

For more pop world cup action, check out the third place match, taking place today at the SukratArena.

Deadline on votes is noon on Monday. This is also your last chance to publicise the pop world cup elsewhere!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ack! My inaugural post pushed to below the fold! Why didn't I wait for a slow news day?!

there's something odd going on with that pic of the czech girlie...

REEEEEEEEAAAL S3X IN A HEARTBEAT, GOING BACK TO DISCOS, BACK TO DISCOS

look, they are portuGEEZERS!!! (http://www.myspace.com/iloveloto)

i have voted.

tho i'm really not sure where this one will go. it's as close as the game last night, and just as spritely.

The big question is whether the current anti-Portugese sentiment amongst England fans might harm their chances?

I really love the Czech song. Any more stuff by this pop strumpet?

(also, Lily at no1 in the midweeks!)

Stock Aitken and Watermanský?

I know the Portugese side of old, and I'm a big fan - there's a hunger, a bitterness almost, to the way they play. Dodgy singing took a while to grow on me, though. But now I love it.

As for the Czechs, they're playing a solid, tidy game but it lacks a bit of flair for me. I'm not saying they wouldn't be worthy winners after all they've been through, but I think Portugal on this showing maybe wants it more.

oh both of these going on the podcast innit

The Czech bird looks like FEARNE COTTON!!

Okay, one of these is one of the.. ooh.. twenty best pop singles ever made, and the other one isn't. Unfair fight, innit.

Oh, I don't know. Definitely seems like six of one, half dozen of the other, at least upon the first couple of listens.

jaymc is in the portugal team!

Portuguese singer is terrible! (See? It's not just the girl singers who get marked down on vocal ability - cf. every Pipettes discussion ever) Nice FAT electro backbeat to their song but this may not be enough to save the track.

Czech Rep tune is solid. I think this is called "getting the job done" in footie speak. Will need to hear again before I decide exactly how many marks to give it tho.

CHEATING PAST MORE LIKE

The Portuguese strategy is brilliant, and the setups cannot be faulted. But the forward line is playing klutzball, more offsides than on. Chance after chance gets whistled back. If you'll excuse a music metaphor, this side could use Auto-Tune. That said, as the game goes on, not only do the 'Guesers pick up the attack, add style to the pizzazz, but they throw everything into the box, and suddenly you're standing on your seat cheering. But is it too late? Not only are the Czechs strong in the goal and powerful under pressure, their game of kick the can is quite up to the Portuguese. However, the frontline is a bit wooden in the execution. So this game could go either way. I'm leaning towards the Czechs, but that may just be my belated resentment at the Portuguese for fielding an overrated Canadian a couple of matches back.

Am I the only one who thinks the third place match is more exciting than the final? Best Iranian entry yet!

I have voted, but I'm keeping my opinions to myself to persuade ver tension.

if only you had trusted my stategy, overcoming yr merely petit bourgeois and piffling "revservations" to vote with and for THE PEOPLE, then the greatness of the tournament and the greatness of iran would SHINE AS ONE

pah grumble gumble vacillating intellectuals, shd be rounded up and given REVOLUTIONARY WEDGIES mutter mutter

NO I agree, this could have been a cup-winning entry from Iran if they'd made it through!

Koller is back from injury, Barros is looking better after not looking so fit earlier in the tournament and Nedved is grabbing his last chance. Not that Portugal is going to give it up so easily. They know how to play the ref, and they are organized at the back but up front Pauletta ws never really up to it. Will Maniche or Deco come up with a cracker from out side the area to save them? Not so far.

Oh what's Ricardo doing coming out to that corner? genius at penalties but otherwise his erraticisms are showing..

*MESSAGE STARTS*

Due to the unhelpful nature of some of the coverage of our squad during this tournament, it is with regret that I have placed an embargo on any members of our squad talking to the press for the remainder of the tournament.

We are enjoying the feeling of having reached this stage of the competition, and we have the greatest of respect for our opponents in the final round. We continue to play our own game in the face of the critics. We are sure that the best team will win.

We think that Cristiano Ronaldo is a decent fellow and unfairly maligned. Also we believe that it don't rain in Indianapolis in the wintertime.

*MESSAGE ENDS*

The Pop World Cup: THE FINAL

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Hmm... More Czech reality pop

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First thoughts

"sneaking past"

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THE TRUE FINAL CAN TAKE PLACE IN YOUR HEAD

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COMMUNIQUE FROM PORTUGUESE POP HQ