A Football Report

All good things must come to an end, even heart-stopping endlessly entertaining World Cups. It’s time for the pod to sign-off for the summer too. We’ve recorded over 45 shows this season and few will be sweeter than this – the chance to reflect on a tense, emotionally draining but ultimately fulfilling World Cup final. There’s a stream of praise for Mario Götze’s sumptuous winner, André Schürrle’s super-sub antics and, above all, the humble team ethic and youth development system that underpinned a richly deserved night of glory for Joachim Löw’s „Jungs“. On the flip side, we mourn an evening of missed opportunities for an Argentinian side who were so nearly dragged over the line by their talisman of the tournament...and it’s not Lionel Messi. As we turned the final audio page on the tournament we reflected on the World Cup as a whole – the goals, the games, the personalities, the shocks, the atmosphere and the Tim Howard memes that have made us weak at the knees and besotted with Brazil for the past four weeks. Added to that list of golden memories will be a trip to the World Cup Panini Sticker Exhibition at the Proud Archivist in London. On the eve of the big game, we took the opportunity to see every World Cup sticker produced from the 1970 World Cup to present day – the perfect way to get a last hit of the global adhesive game and witness the mesmerising evolution of facial hair. We’re off for a few weeks – mainly to source some referee spray paint from the black market – but you’ll hear from us again soon to hear the pod’s plans for the new season. Until then, we would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has strapped their ears around our show over the last 10 months, and all the wonderful guests who have shared some hugely insightful football thought and culture from every continent and corner of the globe – from Afghanistan to Mongolia, Colombia to Germany. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

And then there were two. With two equally compelling semi-finals from the opposite ends of the footballing spectrum now complete, we now know that it’ll be either Germany or Argentina taking a 6.1kg, 36.8cm high World Cup souvenir back home with them. One side that most certainly won’t be in the Maracana on Sunday is the tournament’s generous hosts. Join the pod as they discuss how things went so horribly wrong for Brazil, the ruthlessness of a German side of have tasted big game defeats so frequently of late, and where the game in Brazil goes from here. It may have not had all of the drama of the other semi, but nevertheless Argentina did just enough to make their way to the tournament’s final hurdle, and end Louis van Gaal's reign as Dutch coach on a bittersweet note. With the world's attention turning to Lionel Messi and the bizarre scenario of the little man being forced to forge his own legacy at the ripe old age of 27, the guys weigh up Argentina's chances against Germany, and give some very much less than convincing predictions for Sunday's showpiece event. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

And then there were eight. It may have got a whole lot tighter in the second round – six matches hit a 0-0 stalemate at half-time – but the drama in every dying minute of both regulation and extra time, or every game, was truly breathtaking. Exhibit A was the Unites States against Belgium – a match which put USMNT fans through the full gambit of emotions. They came up just short but put in a courageous performance that will live long in the memory of all football fans, no matter their affiliations, or indeed their location. To break down the game and the colossal swell of support that lifted it to seminal heights, AFR contributor Nathen McVittie joins the pod. Fresh from a trip to Brazil for AFR, he also shares his experiences from the eye of the tournament's storm, with tales of entire neighbourhoods coming alive for the greatest show on earth. With Nathen's Atlantic-straddling background, there's a discussion on quite how powerfully the USMNT's heroic World Cup campaign can impact upon the American sporting public's psyche, as well as another dose of late night viewing with the London chapter of the American Outlaws. With the Tim Howard eulogising finally coming to an end, the guys cast a broad eye over the tournament – assessing the major headlines to come out of the last-16 fixtures, and make their predictions for some mouth-watering quarter-finals. Amidst heat maps that looked fit for an avant-garde art exhibition, they tackle a flurry of ensuing questions - Will James Rodriguez put Neymar in his shadow? Will Messi continue to drag Argentina one step closer to glory? Will Miroslav Klose bag that record? And most importantly of all - will Costa Rica’s fairy-tale journey continue against a hot-and-bothered Holland? Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

It still feels like it’s only just started, and yet half of it has gone already - but my word what a World Cup it has been so far. After fully submerging themselves in Brazil 2014 for another week, the pod take a moment to come up for some air and look at what has happened so far, and what could happen as the groups comes to their conclusions. In the wake of Luis Suarez getting up to his old tricks and Italy joining the ever-growing list of European casualties at this tournament, it's the South and Central American teams who seem to be making it their own. We also take a look at Brazil’s stuttering start, potentially the end of an era for Spain, and of course the subject of everyone’s favourite Vine, Mexico boss Miguel Herrera. With England packing their suitcases after a delightful week-long stay in Rio, the gents from the pod were in need of new allegiances - and where better to find in a traditional British boozer. Boosted by their thrilling opening-game victory, the newly formed London chapter of the American Outlaws were in fine voice for the crunch Group G clash with Portugal, and the pod caught up with a few of their members to hear tales of the joy of beating Ghana, and sharing beers with Jürgen Klinsmann in Bosnian hotel bars. Elsewhere, they may have not got a point, but Australia have still exceeded the expectations of many at this World Cup. Friend of the show Ahmed Yussuf joins in from Melbourne to discuss the Socceroos' performances, and the state Ange Postecoglou's transitioning squad find themselves in ahead of hosting next year's AFC Asian Cup. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

After experiencing the delirium and euphoria of non-stop World Cup football for the past six days, the pod finally take a break and re-engage with the planet around them…by talking about the World Cup. The pod discuss their favourite matches so far, the surprise packages, and teams that have so far left the world sorely disappointed. Amongst the flurry of highlights, the boys mull over whether it really is the end of an era for Spain, if Thomas Müller is the clone of Miroslav Klose and how Brazil are wearing the heavy tag of host nation and tournament favourites. All that, plus the ‘bring your own sofa’ scheme that is revolutionising the way to watch the tournament in Berlin, Mario Balotelli completing his sticker album in a way only he can; and how USMNT kit man Jesse Bignami is sharing behind the scenes content from the very eye of the World Cup tornado. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

It’s almost here. The wall chart is up, the office sweepstakes have been drawn, and all social engagements for the next month have been put on hold. After four years of waiting, Brazil 2014 is about to kick off. To celebrate the imminent arrival of the greatest tournament of them all, this week’s show sees us delve deep into its underbelly. Join us as we rummage through all eight groups, looking at those players who have the potential to drive their nations into the last 16, and those who will be watching the knockout stages on the TV back home. To make this World Cup Preview Special, well, special, we’re joined by two guests to give us the inside line on two of the tournament’s big hitters – Brazil and Italy. We chat to journalist and broadcaster Musa Okwonga about the weight of expectation on the hosts, and just why the beautiful game is so important in Brazil (to hear more from Musa check out his excellent BBC radio documentary, The Burden Of Beauty). Then we switch out attention to England’s opening Group D opponent as we talk to Italian football expert and friend of the show Giancarlo Rinaldi about all things Azzurri – how far can they go, will they be seriously hampered by the loss of Riccardo Montolivo, and just how do you stop Andrea Pirlo? Now, let the games begin... Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here

And… breathe out. The whole world was treated to an exhausting but fascinating Champions League final at the weekend. The praise, press and acclaim has inevitably swamped victors Real Madrid, but what about Atletico? With their amazing adventure finally hitting the buffers, the La Liga winners find themselves at a cross-roads. AFR and Bleacher Report writer Anthony Lopopolo joins us to examine why Atletico fell just short and help identify the major obstacles to another year of unprecedented Simeone-fuelled success. Anthony also provides analysis on the shocking news that new all-time leading MLS goalscorer Landon Donovan has been left out of the USMNT's trimmed-down roster. Is there any method in Klinsmann’s apparent madness? Elsewhere, we wave one last goodbye to Europe's domestic leagues with our reactions to the nail-biting high-stakes playoff finals in England, before extending a very excitable welcome to the World Cup with the news that we will be doing several shows during the tournament in Brazil – all from the sun-soaked, bikini-clad, flamboyant, soccer capital of the world….North London. To get the ball rolling on all things Mundial we give the latest on the crocked South American legs of Suarez and Falcao, and highlight the main threat to England’s bid for glory – mouldy Parma ham. With just a fortnight to go, now's also the time to get the all-important World Cup wall chart sorted. Fortunately, we're offering one lucky listener a copy of London-based graphic design pair Kieran O'Keefe and Lynsey Power's luxurious poster-sized A2 guide to the action. For your chance to win, listen out for the competition at around 44 minutes into the show. Entries close at 23.59 BST on Sunday 1st June, and must be made by contacting the AFR Voice team on twitter. Unsurprisingly, it's off to Brazil for the #whereisfootball Instagram project this week - where a certain American sportswear brand's campaign is building on huge billboards around the host country. User Jose Cabaco, caught a few members of the Seleção looming over São Paulo. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

Over the last few years, AFR has had the great fortune of sharing with you the work of Ryu Voelkel – professional football photographer and host of the Big Lens Fast Shutter podcast. Thank the football gods, he’ll be in Brazil this summer to capture the essence of the beautiful game in his unmistakable style – poetic, poignant and just plain beautiful to look at. You can own a piece of the action too – Ryu has just embarked on a Kickstarter project. He’s raising funds to produce a photography book showcasing the very best of his snaps from the tournament – from the fruits of his exceptional access metres from the action to the beauty of the Brazilian nation bathing in the ultimate football festival, it’s going to be a stunning souvenir of the 2014 World Cup. Back his project here. We spoke to Ryu to find out about the inspiration for the project, how funders can get their hands on the book and why the World Cup is the perfect sporting canvas for his talents. This show also sees us highlight the major absentees and attendees of the World Cup, remember some of the greatest moments of the freshly retired Ryan Giggs and analyse the potential legacy of Arsenal finally ending their trophy drought with a thrilling FA Cup victory. All that plus, a predictable but unabashed gushing of praise for La Liga victors Atletico Madrid. With such a low budget, small squad and monumental competitors, nothing could possibly overshadow their seismic against-all-odds achievement…except possibly Andrea Pirlo getting very drunk on an open top bus. Thhe #whereisfootball Instagram project takes us to Portland, OR this week - where Julie Logan, captured NWSL champions Portland Thorns in a home game at Providence Park. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

After 10 months of highs and lows, twists and turns, head butts and slips, it’s over (well in the Premier League at least). Join us this week as we talk through Man City’s title win, Liverpool coming up just short, the continued emergence of yet another Belgian superstar, and all our favourite moments from what has been yet another superbly entertaining season in the English top flight. Premier League aside, there have been some rather interesting developments elsewhere lower down the pyramid in football's spiritual home. We’ll be taking a look at The FA’s idea to create a league for Premier League B-teams with the premise of helping to develop the nation’s young players. However, without consulting lower leagues and supporters before making the proposals, the governing body have opened themselves up to protest, and ridicule from their own members. Elsewhere, the pod crew throw any pretensions of neutrality to one side as World Cup excitement builds, going through Roy Hodgson’s England World Cup squad with a finer toothcomb than passport control at Rio airport; as well as looking at a familiar, goal-hungry face in Germany's provisional 30-man squad, and some more predictable omissions from the hosts' roster. The top shot to be posted on the #whereisfootball Instagram project this week comes courtesy of English bloggers @theballisround, who are currently jet-setting in Hong Kong and have found the beautiful game in and amongst the high-rises of one of the world's most crowded cities. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

They’ve done it again. For the third year running the Scudetto will be sitting pretty in Juventus’ trophy cabinet after they took the title at the weekend without even having to kick a ball. On the show this week we take a look at what’s been another superb domestic season for the Old Lady, as well as trouble at the Copa Italia final, a certain aging striker who might just find himself sneaking onto the plane to Brazil this Summer, and a 24 goal thriller in Serie D. And no, you didn’t read that wrong – 24 GOALS. Things may be wrapped up in Italy, but the opposite can be said of La Liga. After a weekend when neither Barcelona, Atlético or Real Madrid managed to notch up a win the three-way title race continues to be wide open with only one thing now clear – it will be going down to the final day. So why not join us and get bogged down in the seemingly infinite potential outcomes involved in what’s going to be a truly great run-in for fans of permutations and confusing head-to-head records. If that sounds a bit much, then things are a bit simpler in the Premier League where we cast a keen eye on a Man City side edging ever closer to the title, Chelsea running out of steam, and plenty of drama at the bottom of the table both on and off the pitch. Away from Europe, we’ll head Down Under where a new A-League champion has been crowned after this weekend’s Grand Final between Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers. Hear us talk through the game, as well as discuss why there could be a strong Aussie showing in next year’s Asian Champions League, and how the league moving away from big name players isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Our favourite photo on the #whereisfootball Instagram project this week comes courtesy of former Chicago Fire man Davis Paul, whose amazing shot of the last game to be played at Corinthians’ stadium in Sao Paulo before they move to a shiny new home after the World Cup will be the podcast’s cover art and Twitter handle for the week. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

On last week’s show the rumours of David Moyes’ departure from Manchester United were building dramatically. Seven days on and the Premier League Champions (at least for a few more weeks) have undergone some seismic changes. We speak to ESPN FC journalist and self-confessed United fan Mark Lomas to get his opinion on the rather ungraceful sacking of Moyes, the very romantic appointment of Ryan Giggs as caretaker manager and the very entertaining prospect of Louis van Gaal taking over next season. Whilst United sit in a corner and think about what they’ve done, the elite of European football are clashing horns once more in the Champions League semi-finals. Listen to our previews of the second legs and who will sneak through in two beautifully poised match-ups. As well as tipping Chelsea to cause Atletico considerable problems at the Bridge, we show the Blues, Jose and their ‘two buses’ some rare respect and praise for their belligerent and stubborn win against Liverpool in the Premier League. Our continental catch up also includes our profile of the incredible partnership and friendship enjoyed between Barca favourites Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova, the latter of whom sadly passed away on Friday aged just 45. Outside of Europe, we look ahead to the weekend's bubbling A-League climax, give big props to Mexican side Cruz Azul for winning the CONCACAF Champions League after a humungous trophy drought, and tip our cap to Bradley Wright-Philips for becoming the first Englishman to net a hat-trick in MLS. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

Well, it’s been an interesting Easter weekend for David Moyes. First he was stared down by the Grim Reaper at Goodison Park, and now his it seems his sacking is confirmed barring the I's and T's having their respective accoutrements added. We’ll be taking a look at what’s gone wrong for the Scotsman, and who the Red Devils can turn to next. Elsewhere in England, it’s been a big weekend for the Liverpool winning machine which took another big step towards the title, beating Norwich as Chelsea lost a home league game under Jose Mourinho for the first time in 77 games. But what will the ramifications of that result be at both the top and bottom of the table? Then it’s off to the Continent where Chelsea will have to forget about the weekend very quickly, as they take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. We’ll be previewing this game, as well as another huge one across town when Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich in the other last four tie a day later. Strap yourselves in: it’s definitely business time. Elsewhere, we’ll be heading over to France, where Paris Saint Germain have made another addition to their ever expanding trophy cabinet, and a fantastic dossier profiling the most promising young talents in French football has been put together by the team at French Football Weekly. And if that wasn’t enough to bring hope to Les Bleus, they can also be safe in the knowledge that they’ll be heading to Brazil this Summer with one of the finest unofficial World Cup anthems behind them. Don’t worry – we’ll be giving it a full musical analysis. This week’s top snap on the #whereisfootball Instagram project comes courtesy of Aarron Pullen, whose English non-league masterpiece will now be the podcast’s cover art and Twitter avatar for the next week as just reward. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

On this week’s show we’ll be taking a look at what could be a season-defining win for Liverpool, after they came out on top of a 3-2 Anfield thriller against Man City. Can they really win fourteen games in a row and take the league title, should an unfit Vincent Kompany have played, and what will Fergie make of all this as he sits in the Old Trafford Directors’ box? Then it’s off to the home of this season’s surprise package in Europe – the Vicente Calderón. After booking their place in the Champions League semi-finals at Barcelona’s expense, we’ll be discussing Atlético Madrid’s modestly assembled squad, a manager that is quickly becoming one of the most highly regarded on the continent, and the use of some cutting edge technology on the touchline (although we’re not quite sure what they’re using it for, just yet). Elsewhere, we jet off to the end of regular season play in A-League, and catch up with good friend of the show Ahmed Yussuf, who unleashes his inner Craig David to fill us in on the runners and riders in the Finals Series playoffs; as well as giving us all a lesson in geography, timezones and logistics by showing a detailed knowledge of how on earth the Asian Champions League actually works. Then we head over to Brazil, where it’s been a bit of an up and down time for everyone’s favourite left footed powerhouse – Adriano. It looks like even scoring in the Copa Libertadores isn’t quite enough to keep your job these days… Our pick of the photos on the #whereisfootball Instagram project this week has been taken by the pod’s very own Alex Bryson (no conspiracies here), whose snap of Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint Germain will be splashed across the pod’s cover art for the next seven days. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

This week, we look at some of the most important medical matters in the game. Ben gets to grips with first aid training specifically for the football environment, and interviews the professional instructor behind a course aimed at grass-roots player. We also report on the latest study that reveals the significant problem of depression and alcohol abuse that torments an increasing proportion of football players, both current and recently retired. On the pitch itself, we lick our lips at some very enticing Champions League quarter-final ties, asking whether Manchester United’s ‘backs-against-the-wall’ approach plays to David Moyes’ managerial strengths, how Chelsea can replicate their 2012 heroics to stage another miracle recovery, and why two thirds of the pod fancy Atlético Madrid to just edge out Barcelona at the Calderón. In the domestic leagues we cast our eye over the latest Premier League sacking – that of Chris Hughton at Norwich City. Is the late change fully justified or is simply closing the stable door after the horse has bolted? Meanwhile across the Atlantic, we gawp and gasp at an incredible first instalment of this season’s Cascadia Cup – a chance to admire Clint Dempsey’s goal splurge and - thanks to Eric Beard's #whereisfootball Instagram snap - inadvertently discover some sensational Portland Timbers merch. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.

The clocks have gone forward in Europe and it can only mean one thing – in leagues across the continent, it’s business time. In England, the surprise package of the season Liverpool are now riding high at the top of the league with goals flying in from all angles, while in Spain Atletico Madrid find themselves in the peculiar position of being third favourites to take the crown despite currently being a point clear at the top of the table. Elsewhere, MLS is now in full swing. The Honeymoon might just be over for Toronto FC, but it just keeps on going for the Columbus Crew, and there’s also a new franchise owner who’s been trying to lure a certain Brazilian across the pond via a contract clause and... social media. If you thought things were warming up in Europe, then they’re about to hit boiling point in Australia where the play-offs are almost upon us. We’ll be discussing the possibility of a shootout between two A-League heavyweights – Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey, as well as looking at the career of Harry Kewell, who’s just hung up his boots. And then there’s the small matter of a brand new European international tournament to fill the void that often appears during a year that ends in an odd number. Could UEFA’s League of Nations be a masterstroke by Michel Platini, or a very complicated way to expel the meaningless friendly from the international arena? This week’s top snap on the #whereisfootball Instagram project comes courtesy of Chris Cloud, whose fantastic shot of Joel Lindpere's 'Red Seat' at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey will now be gracing the pod’s cover art for the next seven days. Remember, you can get in touch with the team by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com, or on Twitter @AFRvoice. You can also find us on iTunes here.