RUTHLESS GHANA LEAVE ITALIANS ON THE ROPES

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Group E interim results

The Italian Pop World Cup challenge was in danger of falling to pieces last night after a heavy defeat to Ghana found supporters questioning the wisdom of boyofbadgers' tactics. The result leaves Italy - tipped before the tournament for a semi-final place - staring yet another early exit in the face. The Italians played a hard, physical game and were clearly hoping to unsettle a languid Ghana side, but this approach backfired spectacularly and Ghana's first two goals were both deserved penalties. Down to 10 men, Italy rallied somewhat but could do nothing to prevent the game becoming a rout. The talk within the Italy camp last night was of unity though, with the manager quick to defend his players and to dismiss suggestions they would struggle against the US, a team he described as "awful". Commentators back home are less sure though: "The idea was to prevent the kind of prima donna behaviour we've seen at previous tournaments by selecting some lower-league players and forging them into a team" said one, "Clearly it isn't working." Meanwhile, the Ghana team were celebrating, though in truth they aren't likely to encounter such generous opposition again in this tournament.

In the other Group E game the US and the Czech Republic played out a high-scoring, but messy draw. Both sets of players lack experience at this level and it showed, with almost all the goals being down to basic defensive errors. Several commentators doubted the ability of a very young US side, and their inability to overcome the hastily pulled-together Czechs seems to justify such fears, though other observers saw a great deal of promise in alexmacpherson's team. The managerless Czechs meanwhile won applause for playing well as a team, though their lack of flair was all too apparent. On this showing neither side really deserves a second-round place, but if Italy's implosion continues one of them is sure to qualify.

(Vote here to influence the course of Group E.)

Proper Charlie

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The only problem being that his old band was, um, better. But it's hard not to feel for the lad, he's obviously much happier.

The Friday Canon: ABBA

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Everybody likes ABBA*, but which ABBA does everybody like? As with last week's Sugababes poll, here's an untaxing ramble through pop history which will give us an opportunity to talk about ABBA (or about whatever you end up talking about.)

The poll below the cut is a list of ABBA's UK Top 40 singles. There are 25 of them, and I want you to tick your favourite EIGHT. No more than eight, though you can tick less. Simple as that.



( ABBApoll )

*I do actually know this isn't true.