It’s Poptimism again on Saturday, so I have updated the Poptimism Muxtape. You will hear one or two of these on Saturday if you come, but basically think of it more as one of the giveaway CDs we used to do – a little trailer of where our […]

Group leaders Italy look to secure the win that will ensure qualification from Group C. Listen to the tracks, vote in the poll then look below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, previews and match reports.

How to vote: Just tick the track you[…]

Do you know of anything artistic knocking around at the moment called P1? Maybe a novel, or a collection of poetry. A play, preferably a good one, or maybe one of the English National Opera’s experimental jobs at the Young Vic? Why? Well I kind[…]

Group C gets back underway with France playing Holland – both sides need a win, Holland in particular after their first-round defeat. Listen to the tracks, vote, and look below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, match reports and preview[…]

“Five Lost Worlds” is my latest Pitchfork column – probably my most ambitious, possibly too ambitious. It’s about trying to understand the mid-70s from the perspective of not having consciously lived through them, and (more ob[…]

With Group B still posed on a knife-edge, can Austria and Poland find a way to break the deadlock?

How to vote: Just tick the track you like best! This poll ends at lunchtime on May 1st.

Austria v Poland: Which track do you prefer? [ballot]

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After a short break in transmission Europop 2008 returns with this match from knife-edge Group B. Listen to the tracks, vote in the poll, and click below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, previews and match reports.

How to vote: Just tick th[…]

Turkey need a win against group leaders Switzerland if they’re not to face an early plane home to Istanbul. Hear the tracks, vote in the poll, and check below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, previews and match reports.

How to vote: J[…]

The second batch of Group A matches opens with the Czech Republic taking on Portugal. The Czechs need a win to keep their Europop hopes alive – if Portugal win, their passage to the quarter finals is all but assured. Hear the tracks, vote in th[…]

Our last two teams take their bow in the second Group D game – two nations with big pop potential: can they realise it? Listen to the tracks, vote in the poll, then click below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, previews and match report[…]