Pop World Cup 2010: Round of 16 Match 8 – Spain 1 Cote d’Ivoire 0

It’s been a remarkably strong round of sixteen, and here we are at the end of it! Alberto’s Spain and Wichita Lineman’s Cote d’Ivoire both looked very classy in the group stages and both will be entertaining realistic hopes of progression. Pop football is a cruel game, though, and one of these teams will be going home tonight, while the other tastes the glory of the quarter finals, and holds on to the biggest pop football dream of all…

This match closes at midnight on Thursday 13th May.

SPAIN: Vinila von Bismarck and the Lucky Dados – “Where’s My Sugar” The Manager Says: “After winning our group, we are ready to face our toughest test yet this tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. Many players were called up to the squad for this match, but in the end we have decided to turn to flamboyant striker Vinila von Bismarck to wreck damage on the Ivorian defense. She will get support in midfield from her band, The Lucky Dados.”

COTE D’IVOIRE: Soum Bill – “Zambakro” The Manager Says: “Taking on the fast moving World Cup favourites, CIV counter their cut and thrust with Soum Bill and his loping, hypnotic Shuggie Otis-esque rhythm. A bit of a veteran after singing the CIV official 2006 World Cup anthem, Soum is on first name terms with Didier Drogba – he’s clearly more New Order than David Baddiel. AND he used to be in a group called Mini Choc. The quarter finals beckon. Chocks away!”

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Commentary Box Analysis Spain have decided to employ a formation we haven’t seen elsewhere this tournament. Theirs is a slice of retro rock ‘n’ roll which shows considerable flair and charm. Vinila’s pronunciation, in particular, introduces an intriguing shot of strangeness into the mix which might wrongfoot an opposition. The Cote d’Ivoire play in a style closer to their group stage tactics, but this is a slinky, fluid style, with a playmaker on the Hammond popping up all over the pitch.

It’s a fittingly unpredictable end to a tremendous and unpredictable Round of 16.

Result! Round of Sixteen Match 4: Ghana 3 – Slovenia 1Slovenia’s manager, Kat, famed for her rigid 4-4-4 formation, tried to change her tactics somewhat this time, and while her team may have been a little easier on the eye, they didn’t have enough in the tank to match up to the attack of the dancehall/hip hop approach which Ben employed this time. “Once the initial rush of kangaroo goes away, the Slovenian track seems to linger more. Genuinely torn here.” “Absolutely tantalizing match here. Both sides playing with no inhibitions. Amazing.” “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.” “KANGAROO! KANGAROO! An eternal classic.”

Coming up Results roll in for the remaining Round of 16 matches over the next week and THEN! It’s Quarter Finals time. Three songs from glory.