We’ve barely got our breath back from the Croatia/Austria kick-off and here are their Group B rivals, Germany and Poland. Here are the tracks for you, and under the cut are managerial comment, analysis, match reports and previews.
GERMANY: Alton Miller – “Clouds Are Gone (Henrik Schwartz Remix)”
The manager says: “Contra our reputation, this year the German side is playing with passion and flair. Responsible for the former is an American player of immense distinction who is making a guest appearance on our roster: we have moulded him to fit our style while magnifying his own strengths. Our tactics are heavily string-based, and we have many secret weapons which we will not necessarily reveal at the start of the match. We will overwhelm all opposition.”
Our analyst says: A perhaps controversial team selection for the Germans – Miller is a naturalised American though qualifies under the “remixer granny” rule. Controversial tactics too – this side have a solidity about them and plenty of flair but some commentators have accused them of time-wasting. That won’t matter if they stick the ball in the net today, though.
POLAND: Ania Szarmach – “Silna”
The manager says: “We are Poland. We made our beat with knives. Big shiny knives. Our singer makes every letter sound like the letter z. We are Poland. We invented syllables. Someone else invented R&B. But no-one invited them. We are Poland. We pass. We move. We slaughter. We are Poland. You’re probably gonna vote for whatever techno ish the Germans have put in instead. We do not care. We are Poland.”
Our analyst says: A formidable side, raw but with bags of enthusiasm. There are question marks over the finishing but the midfield have a real eye for the killer through-ball and on a good day their passing game can wrongfoot even the canniest defense.
HOW TO VOTE: Listen to both tracks then vote for the one you like best! You have until next Tuesday (April 1).
Germany vs Poland: Which is the better track? [ballot]
- POLAND: Ania Szarnach 52%
- GERMANY: Alton Miller 48%
Total Voters: 23
Poll closes: 1 Apr 2008 @ 10:00
Loading ...COMING NEXT: France made a strong showing at the Pop World Cup and are expected to perform well here under new manager Alyson G – word of mouth suggests she’ll be playing an uptempo game. Their opponents, Romania, are as close as Europop 2008 has to an unknown quantity: manager lockedintheatti has a formidable record in the League Of Pop however, which he’ll be looking to carry over as he enters international management. This Group C opener should be full of surprises – though FIPA officials would not conform the rumour that they had received neither player’s team registration as of writing.
MATCH REPORT: Turkey 1 Portugal 2
A shock win for the Portugese which should delight new manager Greg – most commentators had written them off but this veteran side produced a scintillating display, controlling much of the game with their fluent passing and deep understanding of a well-worn tactical approach. That said, many commentators thought Turkey were unlucky – they played with commitment and aggression, winning an early lead, and should have at least earned a point. The Portugese pegged them back and then took advantage of some naive defending to gracefully slot home a winner. Their win is a strong first step towards qualification: Turkey, meanwhile, will need to regroup before a vital encounter with the Swiss.
TWELVE minutes?! there’s no doubting the Germans technique and their kit these days is exquisitely stylish and elegant but I question their insistence on dragging out results which they could wrap up much quicker as many of their clubs are well known for (tho these in turn are often criticised for such brutal ‘long ball/route one’ tactics free of any real skill). personally i find Germany’s intricate pass-pass-pass game goes to the other extreme much of the time but it can and will work against the weaker teams.
Poland no pushover by any means however – I see good teamwork here and an attempt to interrupt Germany’s control of so much of the pitch with some quick one-twos. A likeable team and coach (excellent pre-match conference) and even if their going forward may not amount to much this could be closer than anyone dared to suggest.
hey, no controversy at all, our star player Schwarz (not Schwartz) is clearly the most significant player on court, regardless of Miller’s contribution.
our length is necessary to weave our magic, and surely our flair is so spellbinding that you really never want us to stop? plus, we don’t pull out all the stops until after halftime…
I’m completely undecided here. The German one I think starts very well but does go on too long (or more accurately goes to a place I’m less interested in) – the Polish one is quirky and tricksy but I don’t know if the song’s that convincing. Both good but flawed, I’d say.
Hmm, really do not want to reward excessive length, singing in English and the international aspect of the German track – but its quite good. A radio edit may have got this for the German’s but the Polish track isn’t half bad either. I think this will be close, and will muse a few days upon this.
Um, no futbol analogies from me, as I am going meteorological instead.
Germany: Clouds are certainly NOT gone, as otherwise the men manning the foghorns would have nothing to do, and the dancers would be lacking the wisps and ripples that direct their own motion. The violins provide warm Rumanian pizzicati: not a violin story, but not the driest eyeball in the hemisphere either. The singer wisely subordinates himself to the atmosphere, being no great storm himself; is adequate, but a more assertive fellow could have made things interesting, rather than leaving the spotlight to the strings.
Poland: First track in this year’s tourney that I’d heard before. R&b, but with Europroducers tossing bombs at the dancer’s feet. Warm doleful singer backs her feelings up with synth daggers. Not quite achieving the ache that would assure her victory, but lots of music on her side.
I’m leaning Germany, for the detailed beauty of its soundscape, but Poland has its own rude beauty, so this match is worth a few more listens before I vote.
A couple of people here appear to be writing off the Germans, and everyone knows you can never write off the Germans. I disagree with all the ‘its too long’ comments – going on for ages and ages is one of the things Germans do better than any other nation. It’s their national sport. Anyway, it’s long, but so efficient! The Germans play a nice, sensible, well-paced game and know their patient but always deft and skilful play will see them through.
That said, the Polish team turn in an admirable performance as well, certainly a more successful variant on Turkish tactics from earlier in the round. There’s certainly talent upfront but the back line is kind of clumsy and I expect the Germans to take advantage of their occasional high-profile fumbles.
This is the closest contest yet for me, but I’m going to plump for the Germans because I applaud the coach’s brave tactics.
Meanwhile a quick Google image search for ‘Ania Szarmach’ reveals:
a) she has a namesake with quite a spectacular hair/moustache combo.
b) there are other football related puns that I could make but will refrain from doing so in this family-friendly tournament.
Is Miller actually ‘scatting’ here? Is this the equivalent of stepovers?
I’m voting for Poland, and in return, I want them to play to their obvious strengths – Alicja Janosz tracks! Get to it Poland!
A boring 0-0 draw. Both “correct” but not willing to risk anything.
Poland just edging it for me – great fun euro-r&b, lovely voice, great ethno breakdown in the middle too.
Germany sounds great but just goes on for too long – i lost interest half way through, which just gifted the win to the Poles for me.
When are the French going into battle? I can only keep them in the tunnel for so long (they have tunnels in your football? I’m Australia, we have races, as in the team is coming down the race, don’t ask me why!).
All I know about your football is the phrase “keep it tight at the back!”, which I yell at all Sunderland games on TV, even if we are attacking.
Alyson
The France-Romania match will be TODAY, it was going to be yesterday but I was too ill for orgafun, sorry!
Oh don’t worry about it if you were ill! I’m just excited! I want to see what people think of our tactics! They aren’t just mints in a box! Er…that’s apparently your football humour! Ours involves coaches telling players to jump in the river!
Alyson
is this a tie?
Yes, it’s a draw.
And Group B is wide open, with Croatia leading as it stands on votes won.
BLIMEY!!!!
all to play for…
What did I tell you about writing off the Germans?