It was a bold choice, but I reckon it's paid off. Cracking stuff.

I rather enjoyed Norway's very Eur*visi*n entry, but then Iraq windmilled in with that mad fucker and totally upended the competition. Massive. Brilliant.

The easy swoon and harp glissando of the French number has hit just right this evening. Lovely.

It was bound to happen eventually, but this was the first match that's just Not My Thing - not bad, just not for me. Belgium is the least Not My Thing, so gets my point.

It hurts to vote against The Biths, but the bouncy retro drama of the Iranian offering is just too much fun. I'll slip them a cheeky bonus though.

It's not unusual for my head to be turned by a lovely bit o' bongo, and I feel like Quevedo knew this going in.

Bang tidy opener. Very enjoyable indeed. Nice work!

Click-popping rhythms and a cheeky patter makes me love what Asayel has brought to this match. Point!

That Tunisian track is full of bips, bops, clips and clops, and I dig it.

Flippin love the Japan track, surprising no-one. What IS surprising is how much I love the Netherlands track too. That's main and bonus split between them, then.

If you're going to cross the 10 minute mark, you'd better have the juice. Which Germany does, with an unreasonably pretty track. Delightful.

Kinda love that we both independently described it as "brain tickle" - but that's just what it is!

I can't put my finger on it, but something about the texture of that LaTorre track really tickles my brain in the most agreeable ways. That gets a wee point from me.

That KT Gorique track pops off most enjoyably, and takes my vote with it.

I was always very fond of the Bees cover of that Os Mutantes tune. Original is even better though. That's a point right there.

Comic of the beetle from the cover of Massive Attack's "Mezzanine" meeting the crab from the cover of The Prodigy's "Fat of the Land".

Hi this joke is for me

That's the peerless comedy gremlin Branson Reese, and I agree completely.

The song didn't even get a release outside of Algeria until 2017 when it was picked up by Habibi Funk and transferred direct from one of the 7" vinyls. Then it became the theme to Netflix comedy series Strip Law, and from there to #PWC26. Helluva journey.

He's a pretty cool guy, to be fair. Originally from Puerto Rico (or New Jersey, depending on which bio you read) he was a citizen of Algeria and working at the National Theatre there when he released Wang Dang. Prior to that, though, he was Billie Holiday's pianist!

I am so very into surf guitar, and I was delighted by that track.

I was not expecting Bob Destiny to be quite as popular with the commenters as he is, but I'm certainly not complaining! It's a hell of a playlist though - the cup really could be anyone's.

The rock scene in Turkey over the last decade or so has produced some absolute stunners - this included. Point!

For the second time today, retro synth has won my heart. A vote for the Scots from me.

It's lovely guitar time! Both very good, but Caton has my preferred brand.

I concur. The B&H track wins my vote on sheer energy levels alone.

Won't surprise anyone that knows me that the K-pop girl group went straight to my heart via my ears. However, it wasn't a cut'n'shut deal, and the Czech tune is getting my bonus.

Good strong start! Mexico edged it for me by bringing a bouncy synthpop sound I did not expect. I am nothing if not whimsical.

It's time for the World Cup! But this time the players are musicians, the balls are songs and the goal is to get your votes. You're the referee maybe. I lost control of this metaphor pretty much from the start.

Anyway, check out the playlist which is chock full of bangers.

Vulture, who has been hanging out with a bad crowd: Dad, what do we eat?

Vulture dad, who is also the band Kansas:

Not to mention the entire lack of scheduling headaches. Looking forward to not seeing you at the non-table!