Tim Hopkins
7 April 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group B – Nigeria 3 Korea Republic 2
A draw, Gary. It’s the hardest result to play for in Association Pop – who can judge how to gain somewhere between 42 and 58% of the votes in a game? No-one, that’s who. It’s a result which would probably please both managers here, because it would see both teams through to the next round. A loss here, though, and Greece or Argentina might take advantage…
This match closes at midnight on Monday 12th April more »
Tim in FT • 30 Comments
2 April 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group H – Honduras 0 Spain 2
The two winners from the first set of games in Group H meet here, three points in hand and ready to see who will really make the pace in this group. A win here will put either side within touching distance of qualification.
Voting on this match finishes at midnight of Thursday the 8th April. more »
Tim in FT • 24 Comments
1 April 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group H – Chile 1 Switzerland 1
One of the secrets of the Pop World Cup, like it’s recently-invented footballing cousin, is that very often matches between unfancied outsiders generate the most exciting moments. Chile ans Switzerland, both losers in their first games, are dead set on scoring some points now.
Voting on this match finishes at midnight of Wednesday the 7th April. more »
Tim in FT • 20 Comments
31 March 2010
David Blandy – The Barefoot Lone Pilgrim
I’ve been reading “Sonata For Jukebox” by Geoffrey O’Brien, which is a pop memoir of sorts, but more importantly outlines ways in which we (we?) live inside music: how it’s not just to soundtrack our lives, it’s the place where our memories live, the place where we keep our remembered feelings. That’s part of what it’s about, I think. I haven’t finished it yet.
It’s a good time to have stumbled across an installation by the name of “The Barefoot Lone Pilgrim” by David Blandy at the Aicon Gallery, which I happened to wander into on my way somewhere else. more »
Tim in FT • 3 Comments
30 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group G – Brazil 1 Cote D’Ivoire 1
Brazil are one of the giants of pop football but got off to a shaky start in their first game – they’ll be looking to pick up points to stay in touch with this group. The Cote D’Ivoire are full of beans after an exuberant win over a strong Portuguese set-up.
Voting on this match finishes at midnight of Monday the 5th April. more »
Tim in FT • 29 Comments
29 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group G – Portugal 2 Korea DPR 1
The Portuguese left the pitch after their disappointing first match with a look of steely determination in their eyes. they knew what was coming next, which was that they didn’t know what was coming next: the unpredictability of Korea DPR.
Voting on this match finishes at midnight of Sunday the 4th April. more »
Tim in FT • 18 Comments
26 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group F – Italy 1 New Zealand 3
New Zealand enter this game with their tails up, this group’s only holder of three points after round one. If the Italians play as they did in the last game, they might chew those Kiwi tails right off.
Voting on this match finishes at midnight on the 1st April. more »
Tim in FT • 17 Comments
25 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group F – Slovakia 0 Paraguay 3
This match could be transformative for one of these teams. Slovakia emerged from their first game with nothing, after hoping to win, while Paraguay were utterly befuddled by Italy’s revolutionary tactics in a 0-0 draw which attracted massive press coverage. The question really is who will deal best with the pressure?
Voting on this match finishes at midnight on the 31st March. more »
Tim in FT • 9 Comments
16 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group C – England 2 Algeria 1
The first round in Group C left pop-soccer heavyweights England disappointed by a loss and in need of a good result in round 2. Conversely, Algeria won their opening game and are looking to press on to qualification. It’s an unexpectedly big match and the managers will have been thinking carefully about tactics. Won’t they?
Voting for this match ends at midnight on 22 March more »
Tim in FT • 28 Comments
15 March 2010
Pop World Cup 2010: Group C – Slovenia 1 USA 1
There’s no way around it: this is one of the classic David vs Gol-iath clashes which make these opening rounds such fun. Surely with the resources and tradition of the United States of America ranged against them, there is no hope for even the pluckiest Slovenian side? But this is world pop football, no easy games, anything can happen on the day with a sprinkling of cup stardust. Let’s wait and see.
Voting for this match ends at midnight on 21 March more »
Tim in FT • 22 Comments