A Game of Two Halves » Podcast

It’s show 1 of a shiny new season, our 7th, in fact. Hope springs eternal for all fans, at least until the final whistle of that first game, although even the most optimistic Southampton fan is probably not thinking upset for their opening game away at Eastlands. This week’s ten questions are: Is the signing [...] The post 2012/13 Show 1::Saints looking for opening day miracle appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

And so it came to pass (unless you are England, in which case it came to defend) that those quarter-finalists that played their own game and actually tried to win, did so. Differing, and at times bewildering, tactics by coaches produced four lop-sided games with no surprises. THe biggest surprise in England’s defeat at the [...] The post Euro 2012 Show 5::England hung, drawn in quarter appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

Thanks to Ireland’s dismal performances, the only Paddy Power on display in the qualifying stages was the illegal logo on Niklas Bendtner’s undies – a move that cost the Danish striker a one match suspension and a 100,000 euros fine, more than all the fines for racism combined. The qualifying stage is over then and [...] The post Euro 2012 Show 4::Dane’s daks the only paddy power on Euro display appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

(This is actually show 3 even though Chris says the “second show” in the intro. He has been appropriately punished.) This edition of the Euros continues to be the most unpredictable and, dare we say it, exciting football tournament for many a year. After 2 games each a mere 2 of the 16 teams involved [...] The post Euro 2012 Show 3::Greece lightning strikes again appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

Hardly the dull, gentle easing into a major tournament that we are used to; Euro 2012 has provided plenty of action both on and off the pitch. The post Euro 2012 Show 2::Russia start like a train, England build platform appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

Barely time to draw breath after the end of the Premier League season and yet we're back with our coverage of Euro 2012. The post Euro 2012 Show 1::The Reign of Spain to fall in Ukraine? appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

There are approximately 34,200 minutes of football in a Premier League season - that the title wasn't decided until the last four merely illustrates what a remarkable finale it was. The post 2011/12 Show 30::City rollercoast to title appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

Just one game left and yet things are fair from finalised. With City's impressive 2-0 win at St James' Park and United's very comfortable 2-0 win over Swansea the title race goes into the final weekend unchanged - just 8 goals between the two Manchester rivals. None of the next 6 clubs won which means that 3rd spot was taken out of Arsenal's hands and then put firmly back in thanks to a draw for Spurs and losses for Newcastle and Chelsea. And as for relegation, Blackburn Rovers was finally put out of its misery - by Wigan appropriately - but who'll be the third club is still down to Bolton and QPR? At least we know who won the FA Cup. The post 2011/12 Show 29::Lone Rangers’ point to save United? appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

A week of a new England coach, stunning results, incredible goals and a new record by Mark Clattenberg for the most handballs missed in a single game – although at least he was consistent. Wolves manager Terry Connor was almost in tears again, this time from pride after seeing his relegated side battle back from [...] The post 2011/12 Show 28::Wonders never Cisse! appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

The margins between success and failure are often so very thin. Lionel Messi hits that penalty just a couple of inches lower and it’s 3-1 Barca and goodnight Chelsea; instead it’s the Blues taking on Bayern Munich at the Allianz. Patrice Evra buries his header from only 4 yards and it’s 5-2 and Man Utd [...] The post 2011/12 Show 27::Fine margins, feint rules appeared first on A Game of Two Halves - Talking English football since 2005.

In the week that has seen Fabrice Muamba discharged from hospital but Piermario Morosini collapse and die in a Serie B game, Chris talks to Chris Semsarisan, Professor of Medicine at Sydney University, Head of the Molecular Cardiology Programme at the Centenary Institute and Cardiologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital about the causes and [...]