As sorta-predicted in this space Friday, MTV is using the Best Pop Video category in this year’s Video Music Awards to promote a big showdown between the morose Germans of Tokio Hotel and the fresh-faced American boys that make up the Jonas Brothers. Thanks to the online efforts of their fanbases, both bands have clips nominated in the Best Pop Video category, where they’ll do battle with the previously nominated Britney Spears, the shrillly omnipresent Danity Kane, and the more popular than their Soundscans might indicate Panic At the Disco. MTV has also announced the nominees for Best Hip-Hop video, and among them are the earth-shattering collaboration between Kanye West, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Hype Williams and Flo Rida’s deathless “Low.” (Click on the moonman for the two categories’ full slates.)

BEST POP VIDEO: Danity Kane – “Damaged” Director: Syndrome

Jonas Brothers – “Burnin’ Up” Directors: Brendan Malloy & Tim Wheeler

Panic At The Disco – “Nine In The Afternoon” Director: Shane Drake

Britney Spears – “Piece Of Me” Director: Wayne Isham

Tokio Hotel – “Ready, Set, Go!” Directors: Warwick & Haering

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO: Mary J. Blige – “Just Fine” Director: Chris Applebaum

Lupe Fiasco – “Superstar” Director: Hype Williams

Flo Rida – “Low” Director: Bernard Gourley

Lil Wayne – “Lollipop” Directors: Gil Green & Dwayne Carter

Kanye West – “Homecoming” Director: Hype Williams

Video Music Awards [MTV.com]