The knockout stages - Who will be champion

Creed didn't qualify for this World Cup - Unfortunately they lost out to Mr. Burt Bacharach in the North America and Caribbean Region

So to decide the World Cup of songs I took the team who came in first in their group and gave them their first song, and the teams in second their second song. Therefore we now have a very scientific bracket of the best World Cup tune. Here is the latest:

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand by The Beatles (Germany) defeated I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (Sweden)

Poor Places by Wilco (Argentina) defeated Something Against You by The Pixies (Mexico)

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand now battles Poor Places– possibly the best match up so far

My Way by Frank Sinatra (Italy) defeated Down to the Wire by Neil Young (Australia) on a bad call

Obviously 5 Believers by Bob Dylan (Ukraine) beat out In Between by Josh Rouse (Switzerland) in an absolute crap game that went into PK’s… yawn.

This sets up a Sinatra vs. Dylan showdown. Let’s get ready to rumble.

On the other side of the bracket we have:

London Calling by The Clash (England) defeated Cruel Summer by Bananarama. I mean did Bananarama really have a chance in this one?

The Great Pretender by The Platters (Portugal) use their old school appeal and defeat High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen (Netherlands). This isn’t Bruce’s finest moment and neither was this game. It started off well but then the ref ruined it. Shame, it was a great matchup. I was definitely pulling for Holland.

This sets up the Platters vs. the Clash. You gotta figure the Clash can whoop the platters. We’ll see.

Samba Tranquille by Thievery Corporation (Brazil) over Drown by Son Volt (Ghana). Just like Son Volt, Ghana had their moment…and it passed (though to be fair Jay Farrar and Son Volt still put out good music).

French Vacation by The Walkmen (France) win out over Summer Time by Josh Rouse (Spain). Spain always chokes.

Now we have an intriguing matchup of chill (Thievery Corporation) vs. high intensity (Walkmen). Both are bands from the DC area making the rivalry even more intense.

I just hope Italy loses.