The second group A match, between a confident Turkish side and the rudderless Portugese. Can Portugal get it together on the field? Listen for yourself to the MP3s, then look below the cut for managerial comment, analysis and voting details.
TURKEY: Grup Hepsi – “Ask Sakisi”
The manager says: With an appropriate rhyming product emblazoned upon their new strip, the Hepsters are raring to meet the Portuguese team with some slick footwork and blinding flashes of r-n-b brilliance. After three seasons at the top of the Turkish league, these lasses have both experience and energy to tackle the most formidable foes. Any rumours that the team had recently adopted a dangerous nu-rave tactic for 2008 have been firmly toppled by recent Youtube form. Iyi ?ans, girls!
Our analyst says: In this kind of form, nobody will want to meet Turkey. Like a lot of Turkish sides they build attacks from the back, but they have a cutting edge up front and some lovely wing play: I can’t see them not scoring tonight and I’m not sure they’ll concede many either.
PORTUGAL: Madredeus – “A Andorinha De Primavera”
The manager says: Portugal were still managerless and it’s not entirely clear who submitted this team or coached it, but in STOP PRESS NEWS the former, Pop World Cup winning manager of the Czech Republic has agreed to come out of retirement and coach Portugal starting with their next game. Portugese fans are overjoyed at this development – “Truly, Greg is the Special One” – and will be cheering on tonight’s team of veterans – Madredeus’ blend of folk, fado and pop has been winning them respect and devotion for 20 years.
Our analyst says: The new Portugese manager may have an uphill struggle – these lads have beautiful technique and some of their build up work is breathtaking, but there’s a big question mark against their pace, which you have to say might tell against them in the modern game. There’s plenty of quality on in their side but you have to ask if their back line is just too slow.
HOW TO VOTE: Listen to the tracks and simply tick the one you like best. You have until 10AM on Monday 24th March to vote in this one.
Turkey v Portugal: Which of these tracks do you prefer? [ballot]
- PORTUGAL: Madredeus 64%
- TURKEY: Grup Hepsi 36%
Total Voters: 25
Poll closes: 24 Mar 2008 @ 10:00
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COMING NEXT: Thursday’s match sees co-hosts Austria take on Croatia. Austria haven’t tasted international success since the yodelling era, and they’ve turned to Steve M, who worked miracles getting Togo to the Pop World Cup quarter-finals, to restore some international pride. Croatia, meanwhile, crashed out of that tournament after fielding an experimental side, and they’ve dug deep to hire Portugal’s former management team, renowned for an extensive scouting network. It promises to be an interesting clash between two teams with a great deal to prove.