The Pop World Cup: THE FINAL

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

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!

Comments

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

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)