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Apr 10
Pop World Cup 2010: Round of 16 Match 4 – Ghana 3 Slovenia 1
Sometimes in the middle of a long tournament you pause for breath, you think about the time you’re spending on all these games, look at the sun shining outside, consider all the other stuff you could be doing and you think to yourself “man alive I’m enjoying this tournament!”
We’re halfway through the round of sixteen now, the challenges are crunching and the pop football is being played as it should be played. Onwards to victory! And defeat, obviously.
This match closes at midnight on Thursday 6th May
GHANA: Tic Tac – “Kangaroo” The Manager Says: “After sailing through the group stages with 3 wins from 3, and a votes total beaten only by Netherlands and Portugal, you would think that all is harmonious in my Ghanaian camp. But it’s not – I’ve had to fire my Press Officer because it turned out I was the only manager in the tournament who had one. I think all the others are just jealous.
SLOVENIA: Sestre – “Aladin” The Manager Says: “The Slovenian management is happy to present three lovely ladies from Ljubljana: Marlenna, Daphne and Empera3zz. Luckily for you, dear listener, they got sidetracked on their way home from Talinn in 2002 and ended up in an Arabian Night club. They’re still in there dancing away with Antoine De Caunes as far as I know.”
Round of 16 Match 4: which track do you prefer?
- GHANA - Tic Tac 62%
Loading ...Commentary Box Analysis Through the group stages, these two teams were probably the most certain of their preferred style, the most likely to stick to their shape. It’s something of a surprise to see both incorporating foreign styles into the template this time – Ben’s Ghana looking west, Kat’s Slovenia looking east. It makes for a fascinating match. On first listen, Ghana seem to have such quality throughout the team that they’re unbeatable, but then our second listen to Slovenia was via the youtube link above and now we’re not so sure…
Coming up: Next week, on to the second half of the Round of 16, and two of thedark horses of this tournament, as the Netherlands take on Paraguay.
Tough game this. Both infectious, though I wish the singing in the Slovenia track was as good as the music, then I would feel more justified in voting for them. As it is Kangaroo is a terrific track, but becomes almost a bit kiddie-playground along the line, if Rolf Harris had a singing and painting show these days I am sure this would somehow feature. Once the initial rush of kangaroo goes away, the Slovenian track seems to linger more. Genuinely torn here.
“Kangaroo” has a chorus which is too big for the song I think – every time it stops and the beat and MCs come forward I like it a lot more.
Slovenia’s track is a galloper – all froth and good times, a bit like a Eurovision reimagining of Madness.
Like Pete, I don’t know where my vote’s going here.
Absolutely tantalizing match here. Both sides playing with no inhibitions. Amazing.
Possible bit-rate and volume injuries for Slovenia I fear – can they pull out a win if they’re one down on the VU meter?
Sestre only vaguely remember what inhibitions are! They used to be called ‘The Suspender Sisters’.
I’m a sucker for turkish pop (even if it’s fake turkish pop) and the lovely sisters don’t disappoint – and this is also about a million times better than their awful eurovision entry, so it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Shame for Ghana really – it’s an excellent little number, and not one i like having to vote against
I am attracted to the “TO THE PIE!” shout at the start of “Kangaroo”, it’s a “to the Batmobile!” for a better world. I’m not sure that “no matter how high I go I’ll never fall ‘cos I’m the son of a kangaroo” makes sense – are kangaroos known for always landing on their feet, catwise?
Falling is the second part of jumping, so I don’t get it either. Maybe he’s saying that when he jumps he just keeps going up, like some kind of kangaroo-rocket.
In Ghana, we regularly send kangaroos into orbit.
Easy win for Ghana here I think. Slovenia’s track is kind of beguiling and I would have voted for it in an earlier round but we’re at a different level now and this Ghanaian team just feel like an irresistable force of nature.
Also is that Ghanaian dude shouting “do the pie!” at the start?
Ghana for me. Can’t resist the PIE!
Ghana play with energy and enthusiasm and they score an early goal or two but I see Slovenia taking this into extra time with some slick, seductive play. Who will get the golden goal? Too early to say from my point of view.
That’s a tough one to call.
Think the Tic Tac video needs throwing in to make it fair – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jARrVdZX3-o
I’m voting in solidarity with the sisters.
KANGAROO! KANGAROO! An eternal classic.
You have until midnight UK time to vote in this.
Well done to Ghana, whose march through the tournament continues undeviated.
Slovenia, we’ll miss you! Well played!
Get in there! Excellent win for the boys. Well played Kat, you fought a great battle.
Who’s next to take on the mighty Black Stars?
Aw bugger.
Tough result. Hell of a match though.
#17 next up for Ghana is the first all-African match of the tournament, against Nigeria. Which means we’re guaranteed an African presence in the Pop World Cup right to the end (even if it might be in the 3rd place match!)