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The new format, expanded Champions starts this week but will it be any better than before? We compare the opening week's fixtures to the those of last season's group stage to assess if the competition really is delivering more interesting fixtures, as claimed by UEFA.
In the UK at least there will be more options for fans to watch with Amazon showing a game each week up to the semi-finals. There's also the welcome return of a highlights show on a free to air channel with the BBC picking up where ITV left off in 2018.
We also discuss a couple of stories that have emerged over the past week regarding Euro 2028. Firstly the scare-story that did the rounds regarding England's possible expulsion, and also the issue of the government pulling funding for the renovation of Casement Park, Northern Ireland's sole venue.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_585.mp3 For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
What's in the Weekend Boxset?The WSL kicks off this weekend with champions Chelsea starting life after Emma Hayes with a home tie against Aston Villa. There's also an Arsenal v Manchester City double-header on Sunday with the men playing at the Etihad and the women playing at athe Emirates. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
September sees the start of a new improved Nations League and the start of the new "Swiss-model" European club competitions, both of which are far easier to understand than Chelsea's transfer policy.
We also get the chance this week to check out a new look England side with Lee Carsley in interim control. Jack Grealish returns to the squad and is joined by a number of young players from Carsley's time as the coach of the Euros winning U21s.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Manglende episoder?
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The former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.
In the early 2000s, he took his England side to three consecutive quarter finals at international tournaments, but his time in the role was dogged by criticism of both his professional decisions and those in his private life. It was a time when England had a wealth of talent and English football was at a high point of power and influence. It was also a time when tabloid journalism in the UK was at its most powerful and at its worst.
That time also saw the start of the forerunner of this podcast, the football satire website The Onion Bag. Graham and Terry share fond memories of the time and how Sven Goran Eriksson helped define a pivotal era in football.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_583.mp3 Also this week, having failed to reach an agreement with a broadcaster in the UK, the French top flight, Ligue 1, has decided to go it alone, selling their coverage direct to the consumer. Is there any room for yet another subscription service?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag face each other for the first since a firey (literally) five-goal Klassieker, as Liverpool head to Old Trafford. In the Stadio Olimpico it should be an emotional atmosphere as Sven's former club Lazio host Milan. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Raheem Sterling isn't happy with being sidelined but with more of his fellow long-contracted colleagues outside of the 20-man match-day squad than in it, is this just how life must be at the club?
There's obviously some kind of plan going on at Chelsea but what's the end game? How many more hotels can they sell to themselves before they fall foul of the Premier League's financial restrictions?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Can Mikel Arteta finally get one over his predecessor Unai Emery at Villa Park? The Bundesliga kicks off with St Pauli's return to the top flight hosting Heidenheim, while in Italy Antonio Conte's Napoli attempt to improve things against Bologna after a big defeat in their season opener. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
We're back for our sixteenth season. Graham and Jan discuss a quiet transfer window and Lee Carsley's appointment as caretaker England manager. And after an important summer for football in Germany, Terry chats with friend of the show and Cologne resident Archie Rhind-Tutt on the legacy of Euro 2024.
You can read Terry's preview of the upcoming Bundesliga on our blog.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_581.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset?The Premier League kicks off with Chelsea hosting City and Ipswich's return to the Premier League at home to Liverpool. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Euro 2024 is over, Spain are champions, England have lost another final, and now Gareth Soutgate has announced that he is stepping down as England manager.
A day can be a long time in football and having recorded this episode yesterday evening, before this morning's announcement, some of this episode is already out of date. We've left in our musings on whether Southgate will stay or go but we have added an extra piece with Terry and Graham giving their reaction to the news - so be sure to listen to the very end.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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We're down to the last eight and England are still there. Can they get past the Swiss? Will the Netherlands or Turkey be waiting in the semi-final? Can the hosts stop Spain? Will The Ronaldo Show get another airing against France?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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After the first round of fixtures at Euro 2024, it's less clear which side looks most likely to win it. Pre-tournament favourites France and England won their openers but weren't given an easy ride, while Spain and Germany look even better than we thought. The other teams involved haven't just come along for the ride, giving us some thrilling performances and spectacular goals.
Will England's new look midfield settle into the tournament? Will Mbappe's facial injury limit his further involvement? Can Scotland recover from their opening day mauling at the hands of the hosts?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Euro 2024 kicks off this week in Germany so here's our run through of each of the six groups - it's a bit like a wallchart, only in sound form. Who will shine and who will have a tournament to forget? Can England really be considered favourites?
And how will Scotland fair against the hosts and sides who are largely made up of German-based players?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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It's our last podcast of the season and, after a surprisingly entertaining FA Cup Final, we're in a mood to celebrate.
But it's not all good news, the Prime Minister's decision to call an early election has halted progress of the legislation that was to bring in an independent regulator for football. Will the new government be too busy to pick it up again?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers have tabled a motion to scrap VAR in the Premier League. It's very unlikely they will get the number of votes they require to succeed but what would a narrow defeat say about confidence in the system and the PGMOL?
Also this week, we congratulate Manchester City on getting away with yet another Premier League title.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
What's in the Weekend Boxset?Our last Boxset of the season is over-flowing with finals. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_575.mp3 -
It's the final week of the season for the Premier League and the Bundesliga. Only Arsenal can stop Manchester City claiming an unprecedented fourth successive title, but they'll need help from Spurs or West Ham to do it.
Meanwhile in Germany, one by one the coaches on Bayern's wishlist to replace Thomas Tuchel are ruling themselves out. Could Erik ten Hag swap Old Trafford for the Allianz in the summer?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
What's in the Weekend Boxset?In addition to the Premier League's final round of fixtures, we have the League One and Two play-off finals. There also might be a goal in the second leg of Southampton's Championship play-off semi-final against West Brom. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_574.mp3 -
Eager to find an alternative to the current, unsatisfactory profit and sustainability rules, the Premier League has this week agreed to introduce new rules that limit the money a club can spend to a multiple of the lowest club’s TV revenue. Will this “anchoring” be an effective way of controlling finances, or will it become just something else to circumvent?
While the Premier League has been quite open of its opposition to the introduction of the Independent Regulator for Football, less has been said by UEFA or FIFA, who have in the past opposed what they see as government interference in football. Could that be about change, following last week’s launch of the Spanish government’s own independent body to control the crisis-riven RFEF.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Plenty of EFL action this week with the start of the League One play-offs, and an automatic promotion place up for grabs on the final day of the Championship. And after the sheningans in their first meeting, will VAR behave itself when Spurs face Liverpool? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
This weekend, technology robbed us of the greatest FA Cup comeback in living memory, with the unforgiving VAR offside lines denying Coventry City a 121st minute winner in their semi-final against Manchester United after being 3-0 down.
And when it wasn't shattering dreams, the objectivity of those using it to officiate was being called into quesion. Nottingham Forest have demanded that referees who admit a fondness for clubs they believe are “contextual rivals” should recuse themselves from officiating, after self-confessed Luton fan Stuart Attwell failed to overturn three decisions in last weekend's defeat at Everton.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?With a fifth Champions League spot for the Premier League off the table, the North London derby and Villa match against Chelsea have become key fixtures in the battle to grab fourth spot. Chelsea's women have the chance to complete a famous win over Barcelona, going into the home leg of their Champions League semi-final a goal up. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
There's an adage that at the end of the season the table never lies, but with so much affecting this season's Premier League placings does it still hold true?
Is it possible to understand everything that's going on in football? From financial regulations to club and country coefficients, from law changes to competition restructing, from new metrics to constantly evolving tactics, there's always something new to get your head around. Is that a bug of the modern game or a feature?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. Can Mark Robins' Coventry City side get the better of his old club Manchester United? Will Chelsea and City give us another multi-goal thriller? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Across Europe the major league titles are already almost won; in Germany, Leverkusen should seal the championship this weekend. The English top flight is the exception with a three way race that could provide the most exciting climax to a Premier League season.
It's not all good news for the “Best League in the World”. This week, around the time it was announced that Everton have been deducted a further two points for breaching PSR rules again, it was revealed that clubs are looking at introducing a “luxury tax” to punish over-spending clubs instead of deucting points. Could solving overspending by spending more money be the most Premier League idea ever?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?There are important matches in the Premier League title race while the Woman's FA Cup reaches the semi-final stage with one of Tottenham or Leicester assured of reaching their first major final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
The games across the congested Easter weekend can often define what remains of a season. In England the lead changed in both the Premier League and the Championship. In women's football, Arsenal won the the first (and almost certainly their only) silverware of the season, beating Chelsea and denying Emma Hayes the quadruple in her final season at the club.
In Germany, the title race is as good as done. Bayern's defeat to Dortmund has opened a 13 point gap between themselves and Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen. For many people, Harry Kane's decision to move to Bayern was motivated by a desire to win something. It's unfortunate for him then that his move has coincided with Bayern looking like they'll miss out on the title for the first time in over a decade. But he's still had a really good season.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?The run-in gives us some great rivalries this weekend. Can Ipswich hold on to top spot in the Championship in the Old Farm derby? Can Rangers go to the top in Scotland in the Old Firm? And that's all before Liverpool head to Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_569.mp3 -
The international break often leaves football news outlets scratching around for content. It's a good thing they had Ben White declining to join the England squad and Nike's cross of St George design faux pas to whip up some outrage.
Trying not to dwell on such matters, we move on to discuss options for improvements to the qualification process for international tournaments. Starting next week, the qualification phase for the next women's Euros will use the Nations League model. Could that same system breath life into qualifying for men's tournaments too, or is there an even better option out there?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Club football returns with a huge match in the Premier League as Arsenal try to hold on to top spot against the champions, City. There's also Bayern v Dortmund and the Women's League Cup final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Nottingham Forest have been hit with a four point deduction for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The loss of points has dropped them into the relegation zone but they're still ahead of the two best teams in last season's Championship, Burnley and Sheffield United. With the gap between the top flight and the EFL growing ever larger, how else can the clubs coming up from the Championship compete?
Today, the Football Governance Bill got its first reading in Parliament, and with cross-party support it should pass smoothly into law. Will a new regulator for football fulfill its promise of protecting clubs for financial mismanagement? Will that mean more stringent spending restrictions?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Like March hares, right now there a lot of people who are hopping mad. This weekend Jude Bellingham saw red for having a difference of opinion with referee over timekeeping, while in Germany a Darmstadt fan was allowed on the pitch to let the players know how terrible they are.
If that wasn't enough, this weekend we also had a former top level Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, throw a former colleague under the bus in his new role as an adviser for Nottingham Forest. It must be getting to the exciting stage of the season.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Will the football gods smile again on Liverpool in their top of the table clash against City? Spurs travel to Villa hoping to close the gap in the hunt for the fourth Champions League spot. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. - Vis mere
