Greatest Games: Italy 2 Chile 2, 1998
This week, Harry Pearson joins Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller to discuss the third fixture of the 1998 World Cup – Italy 2 Chile 2.   Having reached the final four years ago, Cesare Maldini’s Who’s Who of Italian football in the 90s were hoping to get off to a flyer against Chile. However, with one of the tournament’s most exciting strike partnerships headlining Chile’s starting XI, this ...
46m Dec 15, 2020
46m
Greatest Games: Sporting Gijón 0 Real Oviedo 0, 1997
Sid Lowe joins Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller to discuss a game, a team and a Spanish principality close to his heart – this week’s Greatest Game is the Asturian derby of January 1997 – Sporting Gijón 0 Real Oviedo 0.
44m Dec 08, 2020
44m
Greatest Games: Sunderland 4 Chelsea 1, 1999
Jeff Brown is this week’s guest on Greatest Games as he joins Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller to look back on Sunderland’s unexpected 4-1 win against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. Heading into the 1999-00 campaign, Gianluca Vialli’s Chelsea were looking to mount a genuine title challenge – asserted after an opening day 4-0 win against the Black Cats at Stamford Bridge. But any serious ch...
41m Dec 01, 2020
41m
Greatest Games: Ajax 1 Milan 0, 1995
This week on Greatest Games Priya Ramesh joins Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller to discuss the 1994-95 Champions League final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna. The youthful Ajax side which Louis van Gaal had assembled were heading into the final in unassailable form, having lost just one game in all competitions all season. In their way of winning a first European title since 1973, and as...
47m Nov 24, 2020
47m
Greatest Games: England 2 Croatia 3, 2007
On Greatest Games this week, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Alex Holiga to discuss the final game of Euro 2008 qualifying in Group E between England and Croatia. A late winner for Israel against Guus Hiddink’s Russia just four days beforehand meant the task required to achieve qualification for the 2008 European Championships was simple for England. Or so they rather obnoxiou...
45m Nov 17, 2020
45m
Greatest Games: Deportivo 4 Milan 0, 2004
In this week’s Greatest Games Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Mark Langdon as they look back to the 2004 Champions League quarter-final between Deportivo and AC Milan A 4-1 loss at the San Siro, a Milan fortress at the time, gave Deportivo an almost hopeless task at the Riazor in the second-leg – overcoming a three-goal deficit against the current champions and tournament favo...
41m Nov 10, 2020
41m
Greatest Games: Ajax 2 Tottenham Hotspur 3, 2019
This week, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Nihal Arthanayake to discuss Spurs’ dramatic 2019 Champions League semi-final second-leg in Amsterdam against Ajax. There was disappointment at the recently opened new home of Tottenham Hotspur in the first-leg and after de Ligt and Ziyech increased Ajax’s aggregate lead to three, a depleted Spurs looked vastly on the verge of crashin...
55m Nov 03, 2020
55m
Greatest Games: Argentina 0 Colombia 5, 1993
This week, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Carl Worswick to discuss the 1994 World Cup qualifier which saw Argentina host Colombia in Buenos Aires.  Heading into the match, qualification for the 94 World Cup was not yet confirmed for either side, however Colombia's successful campaign so far meant they were only required to avoid defeat. But they were facing an Argentina side ...
48m Oct 27, 2020
48m
Greatest Games: Racing Club 1 Celtic 0, 1967
In episode two of Greatest Games, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Daniel Edwards to discuss the 1967 Intercontinental Cup play-off between Copa Libertadores and European Cup winners, Racing Club and Celtic.  After a pair of acrimonious games in Glasgow and Buenos Aires, the tie would have to be decided on neutral ground at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. Billy M...
46m Oct 20, 2020
46m
Greatest Games: Ivory Coast 1 Nigeria 2, 2013
In this first episode of the new season of Greatest Games, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by Oluwashina Okeleji to discuss Nigeria’s victory over Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.  Ivory Coast’s squad full of players plying their trade across Europe were widely fancied to win their first Afcon title since 1992. In contrast, Nigeria were wallowi...
41m Oct 13, 2020
41m
Diplomatic Manoeuvres
What Russia’s World Cup stadiums say about Vladimir Putin’s government. In Episode One Hundred and Thirty Five, we feature “Diplomatic Manoeuvres” by Luke Connelly, first published in Issue Five of The Squall, in September 2020. Read Issue Five of The Squall for a recommended £3: theblizzard.co.uk/news/ground   Discover Man the Footballer: Homo Passiens: theblizzard.co.uk/news/homo-passiens-...
12m Sep 03, 2020
12m
The Throwback, Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is proving the value of the old-fashioned striker. But what created him? In Episode One Hundred and Thirty Four, we feature "The Throwback" by Maciej Iwanski, first published in Issue 19, in December 2015. Discover Man the Footballer: Homo Passiens: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/news/homo-passiens-man-footballer Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: https://ww...
41m Aug 27, 2020
41m
The Science of the Red Mist
What happens physiologically when we lose our rag? In Episode One Hundred and Thirty Three, we feature "The Science of the Red Mist" by Ben Welch, first published in Issue Four of The Squall, in August 2020. Read Issue Four of The Squall for a recommended £3: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/news/red Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: https://www.thegoalhanger.co.uk/collections/...
15m Aug 20, 2020
15m
The Lord of Misrule
Sergio Ramos and the art of the red card. In Episode One Hundred and Thirty Two, we feature “The Lord of Misrule” by Emile Avanessian, first published in Issue Four of The Squall, in August 2020. Read Issue Four of The Squall for a recommended £3: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/news/red Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: https://www.thegoalhanger.co.uk/collections/blizzard Yo...
11m Aug 13, 2020
11m
A Letter To Football Fans (Man The Footballer: Homo Passiens)
In Episode One Hundred and Thirty One, a special edition of our regular podcast, we feature “A Letter to Fans” from the pages of Man the Footballer: Homo Passiens. Discover more from Man the Footballer, including the wonderful illustrative work of satirical artist Matt Kenyon: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/news/homo-passiens-man-footballer Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: ht...
10m Aug 06, 2020
10m
The Rejected Retraction
What if Alex Ferguson had retired in 2001, and Sven-Göran Eriksson had replaced him at Old Trafford? In Episode One Hundred and Thirty, we feature “The Rejected Retraction” by Richard Jolly, first published in Issue Three of The Squall, in July 2020. Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: https://www.thegoalhanger.co.uk/collections/blizzard Read Issue Three of The Squall for a re...
14m Jul 30, 2020
14m
No Airs
How Bielsa's honesty and hard work re-energised Leeds United. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Nine, we take a look back to "No Airs" by Rob Bagchi, first published in Issue 36, in March 2020. Immortalise football history with The Goal Hanger: https://www.thegoalhanger.co.uk/collections/blizzard You can order Issue 37, our latest edition, here: theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-se...
16m Jul 23, 2020
16m
Not Always Him
What if Agüero had gone down against QPR in 2012, leaving Mario Balotelli to take the penalty? In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Eight, we take a look at "Not Always Him" by Huw Davies, published in Issue Three of The Squall, in July 2020.  Read and support The Squall: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/news/sliding-doors You can order Issue 37, our latest edition, here: http://theblizzard.co.uk/...
10m Jul 16, 2020
10m
The Nevilles and the Gallaghers
How two sets of brothers chart the changing face of football in Manchester. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Seven, we take a look at "The Nevilles and the Gallaghers" by John Brewin, published in Issue 28, in March 2018. You can order Issue 28 here: theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-twenty-eight You can order Issue 37, our latest edition, here: theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirt...
21m Jul 09, 2020
21m
The Green Future
If carbon emissions targets are to be met, football’s relentless expansion must stop. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Six, we take a look at “The Green Future” by Tim Walters, published in Issue 37, in June 2020. You can order Issue 37, our latest edition, here: theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-seven (https://gate.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheblizzard.co.uk%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fissue-t...
14m Jul 02, 2020
14m
When Puskás came to Selhurst Park
The night in 1962 when third-division Crystal Palace pushed Real Madrid to the limit. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Five, we take a look at “When Puskás came to Selhurst Park” by Jo Harman, published in Issue 37, in June 2020. You can order Issue 37, our latest edition, here: theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-seven Unlock our archives with a subscription from just £20: theblizz...
17m Jun 25, 2020
17m
Leeds United v the National Front
How fans fought back against the rise of the far right on the Elland Road terraces. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Four, we take a look at “Leeds United v the National Front” by Gary Hartley, published in Issue 35, in December 2019. You can order Issue 35, our latest edition, here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…ue-thirty-five And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co....
17m Feb 12, 2020
17m
Ever Get the Feeling You've Been Cheated?
Globalisation, the Third Way, the Premier League and the Brexit backlash against the elites. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Three, we take a look at “Ever Get the Feeling You've Been Cheated?” by Anthony Clavane, published in Issue 28, in March 2018. You can order our latest edition, Issue 35, here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…ue-thirty-five And access our entire archives here: w...
15m Jan 31, 2020
15m
The Yoshida Defence
Why a certain level of cynical fouling is essential for football's balance. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty Two, we take a look at “The Yoshida Defence” by Mark Thompson, published in Issue 28, in March 2018. You can order our latest edition, Issue 35, here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-five And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/articles
9m Jan 20, 2020
9m
The Dribbler
Adama Traoré dribbles more than almost anybody else in the world. But what is he actually good for? In Episode One Hundred and Twenty One, we take a look at “The Dribber” by Sam France, published in our latest issue, Issue 34, in September 2019. You can order Issue 34 here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…e-thirty-four And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/articles
11m Oct 18, 2019
11m
Royal Dissent
What Reading's attempts at a club song tell us about the hollowness of modern football. In Episode One Hundred and Twenty, we take a look at "Royal Dissent" by Edward Sugden, published in our latest issue, Issue 34, in September 2019. You can order Issue 34 here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…e-thirty-four And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/articles
16m Oct 04, 2019
16m
Mediocrity and the Beast
Brazil won the Copa América but their triumph was hijacked by Jair Bolsonaro. In Episode One Hundred and Nineteen, we take an early look at "Mediocrity and the Beast" by Ewan MacKenna, to be published in Issue 34, in September 2019. You can preorder Issue 34 here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…e-thirty-four And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/articles
20m Sep 04, 2019
20m
The Greatest Games – Milan 3 Liverpool 3
Champions League Final, Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, 25 May 2005. Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by freelance sports journalist, John Brewin, to discuss the 2005 Champions League Final between Milan and Liverpool. It was the last match that the Liverpool squad at the time would play together, many aware that they were soon to be replaced. Standing in their way of a Champion...
45m Jun 28, 2019
45m
The Greatest Games – Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0
FA Cup semi-final, Wembley Stadium, London, 16 April 2011 Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by football journalist at The Independent, Jack Pitt-Brooke, to discuss the 2011 FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United. The expectation of silverware was beginning to stir at Manchester City as fans and pundits looked for justification for the millions being spent by...
33m Jun 21, 2019
33m
The Greatest Games – Real Madrid 2 Real Zaragoza 3
Copa del Rey Final, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, 17 March 2004. In the first episode of The Greatest Games, Jonathan Wilson and Marcus Speller are joined by European football correspondent and author of Di Stéfano, the Alfredo Di Stéfano biography, Ian Hawkey to discuss the 2004 Copa del Rey final. In the 2003/04 season, Real Madrid were hurtling towards their first ever treble. Wi...
35m Jun 14, 2019
35m
The Greatest Games – Trailer
The trailer for our brand new podcast series "The Greatest Games" where Marcus Speller and Jonathan Wilson will be joined by a guest each week to discuss a game that represents a significant moment in footballing history. Subscribe to The Blizzard now: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/subscriptions
3m Jun 11, 2019
3m
The Jewel Thief
Harry Trainer was a centre-forward for Wales and Wrexham, but his dark side ended his career. In Episode One Hundred and Eighteen, we take an early look at "The Jewel Thief" by Paul Brown, to be published in Issue 33, in June 2019. You can preorder Issue 33 here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-three And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/articles
12m May 24, 2019
12m
Rise and Fall of Castel Rigone
The entrepreneur, the village team and the experiment in humanistic capitalism. In Episode One Hundred and Seventeen, we take a look back to "Rise and Fall of Castel Rigone" by Pedar Foss, first published in Issue 14, in September 2014. You can buy our latest magazine, Issue 32, here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…sue-thirty-two And access our entire archives here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/...
19m May 10, 2019
19m
End Of The Road
Gretna's rise was a romantic fairy-tale; their collapse provides grimly real lessons for all of Scottish football. In Episode One Hundred and Sixteen, we take a look back to "End of the Road" by Richard Winton, first published in Issue 7, in December 2012. You can buy our latest magazine, Issue 32, here: www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/i…sue-thirty-two And access our entire archives here: ww...
14m Apr 26, 2019
14m
Capitalist Traitor
Milan Mandarić on exile from Yugoslavia, success in California and his return to Europe. In Episode One Hundred and Fifteen, we take a look back to "Capitalist Traitor" by Lukáš Vráblik, first published in Issue 27, in December 2017. You can buy our latest magazine, Issue 32, here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-two And access our entire archives here: https://www.thebl...
13m Apr 15, 2019
13m
Live in London
The audio recording from the first half of our event in London on Thursday 21st March. The panel, hosted by Marcus Speller, featured Jonathan Wilson, Philippe Auclair and Miguel Delaney, and discussed favourite Euros memories, the future of the game, diversity in football media and finally being proven right about Joachim Löw.
46m Mar 30, 2019
46m
Offshore Development
The story of Zanzibar’s long and successful struggle for international recognition. In Episode One Hundred and Thirteen we take a look back to "Offshore Development" by Simone Pierotti, first published in Issue 25, in June 2017. You can buy our latest mag, Issue 32, here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-two
18m Mar 15, 2019
18m
Another Place
The story of how Richarlison escaped the drug gangs of Nova Venécia to make a career in the Premier League.  In episode One Hundred and Twelve we take a look forward to "Another Place" by Simon Hart, due to be published in March 2019. You can preorder Issue 32 here: https://theblizzard.co.uk/shop/product/issue-thirty-two Buy tickets for The Blizzard Live in London here: https://www.eventbrite.c...
13m Feb 28, 2019
13m
What Makes A Nation?
The 2011 French race furore ignored the diversity of France's footballing culture. In episode One Hundred and Eleven we take a look back to "What Makes a Nation?" by Philippe Auclair, first published in Issue 2 in September 2011. Read the full article here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/article/what-makes-nation For access to the entire Blizzard collection, subscribe here: https://www.theblizza...
16m Feb 15, 2019
16m
Namesakes
Everton have had two Alex Youngs: one’s the subject of a Ken Loach film, the other killed his brother. In episode One Hundred and Ten we take a look back to "Namesakes" by James Corbett, first published in Issue 17 in June 2015. Read the full article here: https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/article/namesakes Issue 17, like all issues of the Blizzard, is available for £12 plus postage on www.theblizz...
33m Feb 03, 2019
33m
Live In Dublin
The entire audio recording from our event in Dublin on Monday 3rd December. The panel, hosted by Andrew Mangan, featured Jonathan Wilson, Philippe Auclair and Miguel Delaney, and discussed the Premier League "title race", the worst tackles ever seen and Jose Mourinho's future.
1hr 30m Dec 14, 2018
1hr 30m
At Home
"I wasn’t at the stadium in Lyon. I was watching the game on a not-so-big TV screen in a pub near Soho Square in central London, and Japan still went out of the tournament as the bottom of the group losing all three games. But there, I witnessed Japan making a mark, albeit a small one, in the world of football. After going 2-0 down, we scored a goal, the greatest joy in the game of football – o...
7m Sep 11, 2018
7m
Live In Manchester (Jose Mourinho edition)
The first half of our live event in Manchester on Thursday 30th August. Yes, we know the sound quality isn't the greatest throughout, and we apologise, but would like to bring you at least some of the evening's discussion for those who couldn't make it along. The panel, hosted by Rory Smith, featured Jonathans Wilson and Northcroft and Miguel Delaney, and in the first half of the evening focuss...
44m Sep 03, 2018
44m
Alternate Title
"The fact that he was asked to change the title only adds to the effect. He had picked up the phrase from the broadcast media. So how could it be inappropriate for broadcast media? What kind of place was this? In such circumstances, what could be a better alternate title than “Alternate Title”? Micky Dolenz had come, walked down our streets, and with no song-writing finesse to filter through th...
10m Apr 13, 2018
10m
Breaking The Mould
"Saelua's role in giving some dignity back to one of the worst teams in the world made waves across the globe. "Korean TV came to my house to do an interview. It was kind of weird," Saelua said. "I would have people from New York call in and say they wanted to come to my house and do a photo shoot and interviews and stuff. All the attention was very overwhelming." "There was less of a ripple in...
8m Apr 06, 2018
8m
Blue Period
"Only two things dominated the lives of any schoolboy growing up in Johannesburg in the late 1970s – sport and girls. Girls were a proposition too various and complicated to contemplate, so we sublimated frantically and played more sport than we were already playing. Scratch soccer games at break-time. Cricket, rugby, touch-rugby. We swam, considered water polo. We even tried athletics. "If we ...
17m Mar 23, 2018
17m
Issue 28
Issue Twenty Eight is out now, and jam-packed full of interesting and enlightening articles - we've got David Winner, Anthony Clavane and Jonathan Wilson tackling Brexit; interviews with Andi Herzog and Carlos Alberto Parreira; a photo essay from the Polish non-leagues; eight of the worst seasons in living memory; John Brewin on the Nevilles, the Gallaghers and football in Manchester; Sean Cole...
2m Mar 15, 2018
2m
The Clubs Behind The Countries
"Atlético Madrid 0 SpVgg Fürth 2; Lucchese 1 Manchester City 0; Triestina 3 Ajax 0; Benfica 0 Rot Weiss Essen 1. Not, as might be supposed, the scorelines from some long-forgotten round of the Uefa or Intertoto Cup, but a rather different measure of footballing success." In episode One Hundred and Two we revisit "The Clubs Behind the Countries" by Richard Jolly, first published in Issue Thirtee...
11m Mar 09, 2018
11m
Dessert Comes At The End
"It all goes to show that less can sometimes be more. This might jar with US thinking about sport, but keeping international competitions so open that the best teams rarely meet — or possibly don't at all — has been football's secret master-stroke. It turns the latter stages into must-view events. The Champions League brand plays heavily on the exclusivity and scarcity of its product." In episo...
8m Feb 24, 2018
8m
Route One
"Beck would go to great lengths in search of the smallest advantage. Visiting sides were made to feel as unwelcome as possible, with the heating turned off in the cramped away dressing room and flat, soggy practice balls given out. It was psychological warfare. The impact of these unsporting practices and intimidation tactics is impossible to quantify, and many felt they were done simply for ef...
19m Feb 02, 2018
19m