1. Austria - Stereotyp & Al Haca “Blaze N’ Cook (Kruder’s Jiggy Remix)”
2. Croatia - Grupa Zeris “Ta, Da, Tako Je”
3. Turkey - Grup Hepsi “Ask Sakizi”
4. Italy - Matia Bazar “Ti Sento”
5. France - Mélissa Mars “Apocalips”

So, my three favorites were from teams that got eliminated.

(and I forgot to vote for me own song)

On the other hand I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the range of Greek stuff out there, though I think I’ve got the most out of a fairly inconsistent group.

I have to say that I found it incredibly hard to find decent Spanish music. Maybe I wasn’t looking in the right places, but the range of stuff available on the download software I use was pretty poor.

So the other half of the draw is France v Russia, Greece v Italy then?

If the Swedes manage to pull off a win here, the whole rule book goes out of the window I feel.

Sweden (In Flames): In Flames was one of the better industrial metal bands w/ crypto dancepop leanings that xhuxk was sending me a lot of in the early ’00s. You think you’re getting full-out squall and then it goes all pretty on you. The Swedes are probably going down in flames in this match, but they’ve got my tick.

Spain (Love Of Lesbians): I bow to no man in my love of lesbians, but I was hoping for something less cuddly. Nice enough, but my vote goes to the Greek eyebrow raisers.

I made it through 30 seconds of ESP, and about two seconds of SWE.

Bit of a stalemate in the other match - although the Spanish team are ahead on possession, neither looks likely to score from where I’m sitting.

Greece seem to be happy playing for the draw - and Spain likewise, they just don’t look like they want the win enough to pull any last minute scoring chances out of the bag. Big disappointment there when we all know the kind of talent they possess.

Spain is all tacky name and no talent. Playing a creepy paedophile voice to the max, backed by weedy strings marks a Greek victory by a mile. Spain v.v. disappointing in this tourney.

Russia has inappropriate booty usage by non-Engliah speakers, and nice ethnic instrumentation, but I am not convinced completely by its stabs at fun. Its alright, but wrong in the same breath. Mind you, proper use of Eurovision keychange may swing it.

Sweden: Once upon a time the English team decided to have a Swedish manager. I think in a small way, we have just have our revenge.

Spain have been the big disappointment of the tournament for me, so much talent at their disposal yet once again they choke on the big stage. This is pleasant enough indie pop but I’m going for a straight Greek win here.

Russia over Sweden 1-0. Sweden make Wimbledon 88 look like Holland 74. The sophistication lacking isn’t countered fully by Russia, but there’s more variation from set pieces, and Pavulychenko scores from a corner that contains 3 flick ons and a faked short corner, and Sweden end with Larsson and Ibrahimovic fighting against the tactics.

Greece 1-1 Spain - not a contest of inspiration, to those seeking dynamic strikers. It’s tidy, organised, cautious across the park. Greece score from a header by Amanatidis, and Spain equalise with a Torres penalty, but there’s a slackness on display, and Greece come closer to nicking it.

* (I know nothing about your football, this was mostly done by someone else!)