poptimists | The Pop World Cup: Group D

The fiery Group D clashes are accompanied with a frisson of anticipation, following the outspoken antics of the Iranian pop federation and the Angolan manager, whose mind games began almost as soon as the draw was made. Both managers though will be aware that their group rivals - Mexico and Portugal are more than capable of progress and will be hoping for further world cup upsets. The accent in this group is on youth and rhythm, as two teen rebel girls mix it up with hip-hoppers and bongo freaks. It's all kicking off!

You can find all PWC entries here. If you can't download or are having trouble let me know either in the comments box or at freakytrigger@gmail.com.

So are here the four Group D contenders, with exclusive team talks from their managers.

Angola

Os Bongos - "Kazukuta". Veteran manager

martinskidmore had this to say: "We are of course just glad to be here, in the competition to enjoy ourselves, with no care for results, complete with natural football skills, expressing ourselves without any need for that thinking and practising nonsense, although we are a bit naive at the back - so watch out for our innocent two-footed knee-high studs-up tackles. Or rather, please don't.

On the other hand, a vote for Portugal is a vote for indie (assuming their so-called manager hasn't found any Portugese UK hip hop), you'd have to be insane to vote for the megalomaniacal Iranian manager who is undoubtedly, with all due respect and not wishing to overstate matters, planning to replace all your loved ones with either nanobot colonies or hobgoblins, ot possibly both, and while I don't actually know Victor at all, it is a well known fact that only supervillains have that name. Conversely, a vote for Angola is proof that you are not a racialist. This is a no-brainer, people."

Iran

DJ Maryam aka Mahshar - "Vase Chi". Media-friendly supremo

dubdobdee was forthright in his comments: "Welcome one and all to Techno Tehran, or THE FORBIDDEN GAME: nothing in world football has prepared you for the startling and uncanny skeez of our beloved underground teen genius DJ Maryam of the Bright Red Shoes, our own Robot-Ravenette on the Wing, the mythic mystic marvellous Mahshar -- as she twirls and sighs her way round any and every ugly and sclerotic old guard, voice of free youth, the city's own secret soul-throb: swoon as she shifts across the pitch, all quick quarter~~tones~~ turns, backflips, deft wrong-way nutmegs, footwork, headwork, heartwork, keen, keener, keening -- bend it like bellona! THE LASS DONE GOOD, as we sez in that Persia."

Mexico

Natalia Lafourcade - "Busca Un Problema". Cosmopolitan boss Victor told us: "Natalia Lafourcade's song is about being young, going out in secret and not caring about being grounded afterwards, all packed up in a low-key start that then explodes in synth-driven chorus, solos, handclaps and what else. Plus, it doesn't go for very long like all good teen pop. And she was only 17 when she released it and had been in a girlband that failed, the poor one (and for all the rockists out there, she even wrote it herself!). Mexico is confident in their newcomer helping their progress towards the trophy."

Portugal

Dust e Ohxiz - "Reflexo do Protesto". Respected gaffer

thebopkids let us know that: "Well the obvious choice would have been to drop some fado science on you, to trot out something about the uniquely Portuguese nature, untranslatable saudade, that kind if thing. This being the world cup, though, I think it’s more important that we consider what we all have in common. And when it comes to hip-hop (and this is quite a global example of the scruffy Portuguese version, tuga) what we all have in common is the “yo”. If I decide I can hear the artists tease a wisp of the old saudade out of a very familiar sample, am I kidding myself? Very likely."

So how will matches be decided? HERE'S HOW.

You have 20 points to divide between the four teams, based on how much you enjoyed their tracks and on any other criteria you like.

No team can be given less than 1 point, no team can be given more than 10. If you fail to mark a team they will automatically get 5 points.

If that leaves a points total other than 20, or if you simply can't add up to 20, then the FIPA authorities will add or deduct points according to a highly complex system which can be explained in the pub by request.

Your votes should be in the following format:

"Angola - 5. Iran - 5. Mexico - 5. Portugal - 5."

With the "5"s replaced by the points you allot to each team.

You can submit votes in one of two ways. In the poll below, or by email to freakytrigger@gmail.com if you can't vote in LJ polls. Any votes in the comments box will be disqualified. Voting closes at midnight GMT on Monday

The top two tracks, decided on total points, will go through to the next round. In the event of a tie the votes from the first 10 ballots received will be used to determine positions.

[Poll #669695]

OK, get voting - some indication of results will be posted tomorrow (fingers crossed).