The results of the Sweet Sixteen matches were:
- Israel 13, Namibia 3 (I would have picked Israel)
- China 12, North Korea 4 (I would have picked North Korea)
- Finland 9, Denmark 7 (Finland for me)
- Japan 14, Netherlands 2 (A wash)
- Greece 8, Albania 8 (A wash)
- Turkey 10, Iceland 6 (I would have gone with Iceland)
- Canada 9, the U.K. 7 (I was all for Canada)
- Sweden 11, Cuba 5 (I was all for Sweden)
The trouble in the Balkans was solved in the traditional manner, which is to say browbeating Niece #2 into making the call. Her tie-breaking vote goes to Albania, and thus we advance to:
The Elite Eight!
Israel v. China
Japan v. Finland
Turkey v. Albania
Canada v. Sweden
Votes go in the comments, or however you like getting them to me. As always on this interactive online entertainment, purely anonymous votes are not counted. Specific votes that are explicitly based on extravexillogical factors are cheerfully tossed out as well.
* I know, I know, somewhat less than half if you do the math. Parsons was here first.
27 comments:
Israel
Japan
Albania
Canada
Albania surprised me. I really like the Turkey flag and I actually voted against Albania the last time, but somehow this time around it was more appealing.
1. A close one. Both are instantly recognizable and have aesthetically pleasing designs. The decision will have to be made with colors, and Israel wins there by a hair.
2. The two simplest flags face off! Japan wins because of reasons.
3. Albania.
4. Canada.
Isreal
Finland
Turkey
Sweden
1. Israel
2. Finland
3. dark horse Albania
4. argh, must I pick one? ok ok...Canada
My final four picks got blown of the water, even though it looked like the voting would end up differently. I didn't vote for most of these teams last round, so its kinda odd now.
Israel: Crisp and cool vs. hot and eye watering
Japan: Is that the new beige version of the flag?
Albania: very close though
Sweden: I wanted UK anyway, and the swedish flag looks better vertically or limp.
Israel: in the battle of stars v. stars... 6 points beats 5
Japan: Big red dot beats blue cross. But the photo makes Japan's flag look very dirty...
Albania: Can't stop loving the double eagle
Oh, Canada!
Israel - mentioned before how you can never have enough white on a flag. (And no, I'm not French ;) ) It makes for a better background than the other 5 colours that are mainly used on flags that could be used).
Finland - not only does it look nicer, it's more indicative of its country as well (you get a "brr, chilly northern country" vibe from it. :) )
Turkey - tough call, but, if forced, the history of and influence in the area of Turkey's flag gives it the upper hand
Canada - kind of a no brainer here. :) (There's a reason it's the favourite (or one of the top favourites) of every vexillologist I know. Besides, only one Scandinavian flag at a time, please. :)
Israel
Japan
Turkey (I voted for Albania last time, but this time I'm thinking, is that crazy creature actually a little bit right of center? I'm not into that. Also, it's more of a banner than a flag.)
Canada
Israel vs. PRC
Both flags are excellent on design grounds alone. Two good colors, simple, memorable, utilizing strong national symbols, one recalling Jewish pride, the other communist solidarity and power. The Chinese stars are meaningfully placed, and work well. That said star of David is a powerful and unique symbol, and trumps the PRC. Israel it is.
Finland vs. Japan
I've actually voted against Finland twice, but I've warmed up to it. Here are two flags with primarily white backgrounds. The blue cross I find a bit more striking than the red sun.
Regardless, either one will fall to Israel.
Finland.
Turkey vs. Albania
Another similar match-off. Common red background. I find the non-ubiquitous eagle preferable over the generic crescent/star. Albania's looking better and better.
Canada vs. Sweden
I'm rather divided here. On one hand, Canada has a great flag. The maple leaf is a perfect symbol. On the other hand, Sweden's gold on blue really 'pops'. Sweden, but by a fraction of a hair.
We've got a vote-by-email for Israel, Finland, Albania, & Canada.
Israel
Finland
Albania
Canada
Would have been really odd to see Turkey vs. Greece anyways - wouldn't want this place to get some of the comments I see on YouTube where a pro-Turk, anti-Greek or a pro-Greek, anti-Turk comment could conceivably (or, often, not even remotely) be shoehorned in. Good that M5K fans (what are M5K fans called anyways, the Teeming Thousands?) stay away from political commentary on geographically related posts.
chinajapanturkeycanada
Israel
Japan
Ugly vs. Ugly (side note that the Union Jack would have beaten both of these)
Canada
Israel, Japan, Albania, Canada.
I'm trying to figure out if Wales has ever been mentioned on your blog. Is this thing searchable? I know it's neither here nor there, but I am a huge fan of the Welsh flag.
Israel
Hard to pick. Finland, I guess.
Turkey.
Another hard one. Uk and Iceland beat both. Sweden, I guess - the comment about vertical is correct.
I'm not allowed to vote for China because that would make me a "self hating Jew" and we can't have that so Israel it is. Plus the colors are better. Hatikvah!
Japan though I liked their scary WWII era flag better.
Turkey - I don't really like religious symbols on flags yet here I am voting for 2.
Canada - wins the whole thing in my reality.
Israel though this one was hard for me, because I feel that China's flag is very strong. Israel's is stronger with it's symbolism not constrained in the canton.
Japan I like the simplicity of Japan's flag.
Turkey I don't like Albania's flag. The double headed eagle is too complex a shape and the dark on dark coloration just doesn't do it for me. Though I like black and red, it's just not that great on this flag.
Sweden I love the colors and I do not like Canada's flag. I never have. It looks more like a corporate symbol than a flag.
dh: M5K fans are called "the Magnificent Seven." Although now that you mention it, I think "Infinite Artists" would be a good moniker.
E: I, too, am breathless with excitement.
Heatherbee: If you search for Wales, you will find at least a few references to the Welsh flag, and my on-the-record wish that I could witness the dragon-heavy flag waving at a Wales-Bhutan quiddich match.
Lis: Welcome to the show! If you are new in these parts, I encourage you to become one of the new "Infinite Artists"!
Israel! Finland! Albania! Sweden!
No hard ones here for me.
Israel
Japan
Albania
Sweden
Thanks, M5K. :) Happy to be here!
Israel
It's just more pleasing, color and design wise. Both are distinctive but China's just isn't interesting enough.
Japan
Simple, distinctive, symbolic, and with a great historic meaning.
Turkey
Simpler and more effective. I love the freakish hell eagle but turkey has the bonus that a child could draw it and it truly speak "turkey".
Sweden
Canada's too large center stripe bothers me, the Swedish flag is a classic with wonderful colors.
You're all wrong anyway. Sri Lanka trumps the lot
If it were just me, Steve, Lanka would at least have had a seat at the table. See http://michael5000.blogspot.com/2011/10/flag-friday-xxxiv.html.
Israel, Japan, Albania, Canada
I bet that it will be Israel vs. Canada in the final, which kinda interesting since both are flags with a dominant color stripe on outside edges with a dominant "corporate" symbol in the center.
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