World Cup Playoffs: The Two Footed Podcast

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1:00and storm off, and nobody wants that. So drink it cold, or not at all. Yeagermeister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly, Yeagermeister, LaCure, 35% alcohol by volume imported by mass, Yeagermeister, U.S. White Plains, New York. What's good boys and girls, two-footed podcast. Today is Friday the 27th of March. Hope you're well. World cup qualifiers. Last night, the playoffs. First, round or semi-final, I suppose. Let's start with the inter-confederation playoff. Jamaica won. New Caledonian. Nill. Bayley-Cardamarty of Rexham. Danny-Cardamarty's son scoring the only goal there in the 18th minute and setting up. Tuesday's game between the Democratic Republic of Congo. And Jamaica in the second pathway. Bolivia 2, Suriname 1. Suriname go one-nil up to Van Gelderen. But Bolivia pull it back with two goals in seven minutes.

2:04Panegwa and Terceros would a penalty giving them the win, and now we get a rack versus Bolivia. And two teams will book their places. Democratic Republic of Congo or Jamaica and Iraq or Bolivia. Should be two decent games, I think fairly evenly matched. Those games both take place, like I say, on Tuesday. Both to be played in Mexico, Zapapan for the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Estadio Akron, which is a beautiful stadium near Guadalajara. And then Monterey's stadium, the Estadio BBVA, which is absolutely sensational looking in Guadalupe. That game is the later kickoff. Now, let's move to Europe. Let's start in part A. Italy 2, Northern Ireland nil in Bergamo. Italy put Northern Ireland to bed.

3:05I said yes, they Northern Ireland are missing a couple of key players. And that was going to be a factor. And it was Sandra Tanali on 56. Moisa Keen on 80. Not the most convincing performance by the Italians, but through nonetheless. And they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dan James on 51 puts Wales one up, but Ed and Jacko in the 86 minute, making it one one. No further goals in extra time. We go to penalties and the Bosnians win four two on penalties. Harry Wilson and Thomas Harris scoring for Wales. But unfortunately Brennan Johnson misses as does Nico Williams. Demarovich of Stuttgart misses the first penalty for Bosnia, but they score the next four and they will advance. So 745 UK time on Tuesday from Zeneca.

4:06It will be Bosnia, Herzegovina, versus the Italians. Should be a good game. If Italy turned up, you'd expect them to win, but you never know. Moving on. Pathby. Ukraine won Sweden 3 in Valencia. A Yoko res hatrick on 651 and 73 with a penalty. Ponamorenko pulling one back for Ukraine on the 90th minute, but it was too little and far too late. So Sweden will play Poland, who were 21 winners over Albania. Hoxha did put Albania one up on 42, but then Lewandowski and Zelinski scoring on 63 and 73 respectively. To set up what should be a good game between Sweden and Poland in the national stadium in Solna. Again, that is going to be Tuesday at 745.

5:06Pat C Turkey won Romanian nil 30 Kadiagroup with the only goal in that one. Then they will take on Kosovo in what was probably the biggest upset of the night. Maybe you could argue balls near over over Wales, but Kosovo going into Bratislava and winning 4-3. Slovakia went one nil up through Valjan. Then Hoxha equalized. Haraslin put Slovakia back in front as Lani equalized again. And then Musla scoring on 60. And Hazrezi scoring on 72-minute 4-2 to Kosovo. Strelik scored on 94, but it was too little too late. And out goal Slovakia and Kosovo will now host Turkey in Prostina on Tuesday. Kosovo is now the place it's going to be easy to go into. Now the Turks are the better team, but Kosovo will have a real chance here in front of their home fans.

6:09Finally then, Denmark 4, North Macedonia nil. Nil nil half time, and then Denmark just blew them away. Damskard, two from Essexin and one from Norgard, comfortable night. And in the second half Denmark did look really, really good. They will travel to Prague to take on the Czech Republic. Ireland went to Nalup last night at Troy-powered penalty on 19. And then a Kovar own goal on 23. Ireland should have gone and seen this game out. But on 27, Ryan Manning, just an absolute brain fart. Hullsback, Critshee in the box. There's no reason to do it. Collins is going to deal with the situation. Obstecbs, Schick, and he scores. I think it might be the only thing Schick did in the 1920 minutes that was of note. And then an 86 minutes is Critshee with a header from close range of a set piece. This is where I take Umbridge.

7:09It was never ever a free kick. It's never free. It was no foul at all. The red did. The Linesman has invented a free kick here. I've never seen a Linesman wanting to be the center of attention more than this fella as well. Multiple times in the game. He went on to the pitch, which he's not meant to do. To dictate what was going on. It was absolutely bizarre, a really strange. Linesman performance, the referee was atrocious as well. Bored into lots of diving and lots of shenanigans and lots of faking of injuries. Fail to book a number of Czech players who should have been booked. But ultimately, Ireland only halved themselves to blame. However, I would like to declare on this day the 27th of March that Thomas Hori Chori. I would like to fight you. You big, soft, crying prick.

8:10I would like to fight you. You are a disgrace. Six foot six rolling around on the ground, faking injuries, nonstop. It's little wonder you failed the one time you left your homeland. It's little wonder you're back playing there 31 years of age. And ultimately nobody has wanted you except for a brief loan in at a second tier Belgian club who sent you back quite quickly. You are a disgrace. Most of the rest of them not much better lots of diving, lots of shenanigans. We'll say Christy was unbelievable. He played brilliantly. I've said before I think he's really good. I'm going to take him at Liverpool as an indoor replacement. Fifth centre back. Back up holding midfielder as long as we were getting a quality holding midfielder in as well. He was very good. The Czechs deserve credit. The manager in particular deserves credit because. Ireland were very cowardly after going to nill up and.

9:13Just retreated into a shell and we're just trying to basically see the game out. And go back to the Czech manager who you know he's 74 years of age. He's only been in the job a year. He was like just go for it. Just go for it. Go all out for this. Every striker he could find. I'm not convinced he wasn't pulling the ads out of the stands and sticking them up front. If they were told could run and could maybe kick a football as well. He was putting them up front. They went for it Ireland didn't and that was ultimately the difference. Now Ireland were the better team first half. The Czechs were the by far the better team second half extra time was probably even so a draw ultimately was probably the same the right result. We go to penalties. Crytgy scores. Parrot scores. Suček scores. Eda scores. Chital misses.

10:13Brady scores. Schick scores. Finnasas misses. I'm going in the wrong order. I'm going to because yeah because Ireland went first. So Parrot went first and crytgy then either. Then Suček then Brady. Then Chital missed. Then Finnasas stepped up and missed. It was a really tired penalty. He put in an unbelievable shift. He misses. Schick steps up and scores as he'd expect and then I just don't know who made the decision. Frall and Brandt take the last penalty. Nothing against Allen Brown. He's a good player. He had a good game when he came on. But. He's not someone interesting. In a penalty shootout. He just really is not. And you had other options. I know he hadn't actually had a kick at the ball. But I would have put Harvey Vale on that last penalty or change the order a little bit and had him maybe a little bit earlier.

11:16I didn't understand Brown taking the penalty. I just I don't get it at all. I never felt like he was scoring as soon as he stepped up. And then credit to Clement steps up and it's a great penalty. Keep us no chance with it. So on goal check, Republic. They'll face Denmark in Prague on Tuesday night. And I'm not bitter at all. So just hope the Danes bash the shit out of them. I hope they absolutely battle them. So there we go. Four games Tuesday night. Actually six games Tuesday, including the Interconfeteration finals as well. And then we will have the complete field for the 2026 World Cup. Although we don't know for certain yet that we do. Now what we do know is that in group A it'll be Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and the winner of Czech Republic Denmark.

12:20Then in group B it's Canada. Versus Canada, Qatar and Switzerland and either Italy or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Group C is Brazil, Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. Group D is the United States Paraguay Australia. And. Part C qualifier of the truth. Talk about this. Oh, Turkey or Kosovo. So they've given the yanks a nice easy draw. Turkey will be the best team in that group though if they get through. Group E is Germany, Kirakau, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. I quite fancy Ecuador to do really well at this World Cup, to be honest. Group F is the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden or Poland and Tunisia.

13:21Group G is Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Group H is Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Group I is France, Senegal, either Bolivia or Iraq and Norway. Group J is Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Group K is Portugal, Congo or Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo or Jamaica. Uzbekistan and Colombia and then the final group is Group L, which is England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama. So yeah, there we go. Now, of course, there is a question mark over whether or not Iran are going to play at the World Cup. I don't think they should for their own safety because why would a group of Iranian people,

14:23whose country has been illegally attacked by a gentleman who did very questionable things according to some files and has done other very questionable things according to civil law suits that have gone against. And you know, all the different things he's done over the years. Why would they go to a country where that man is illegally attacking their country on the best of another country that, you know, shouldn't exist really? Anyway, right, let's move on. Let's go to break back after this. America leads the world in medicine development. It matters. We get new medicines first, nearly three years faster. Five million Americans go to work because we make medicines here at home. And not relying on other countries keeps us safe. But China is racing to overtake us. Will we let them or will we choose to stay ahead? When America leads, America cures. Let's tell Washington to keep us in the lead.

15:24Learn how at AmericaCures.com, paid for by Pharma. The world moves fast. You work day, even faster, pitching products, drafting reports, analyzing data. Microsoft 365 co-pilot is your AI assistant for work. Built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps you use. Helping you quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize. So you can cut through clutter and clear path to your best work. Learn more at Microsoft.com slash and 365 co-pilot. My day kicks off with the refreshing Celsius energy drink. Then straight to the gym. Pre-get pickup, back home to meal prep. Time for my fire session shift. One more Celsius gotta keep the lights on. When the three alarm hits, I'm ready. Celsius, live, fit, go. Grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius.com. Right. Welcome back. So have a question.

16:24We're sending yesterday after the after the show I recorded. This one comes from Adam. Can you discuss the squad needs for Liverpool, but categorized and based on what European competition we end up in. So for example, we get into the Champions League. We sign Michael Alise. We get into the Europa League. We sign Yan Kube-Minta and the conference league, et cetera, et cetera. Fans seem divided. Some suggest we can sign our top targets if we miss out on Europe. Some don't think so. I think regardless of competition, we can sign some really good players. And if we do miss out on the likes of Alise, we could still sign players to drastically improve us. Is there a case for two right wingers and votes and Rio covered the left, et cetera? Yeah. Okay. Right. So here's how I'm going to do this. I'm just going to pick a system under a manager. And I'm going to buy for that manager in that system.

17:26Depending on the competition that Liverpool are going to be in. So the manager that I'm going to pick is Sebastian. Sebastian Heinus Sebastian Heinus is primary primary base system is a four two three one. And we're going to buy for that system. So now what does he need to make his system work? Now, there are a couple of factors to look out here. So factor A, can you attract the players, regardless of competition? And for a couple, I think you can. But factor B is can you then afford the players. So what's the starting budget? So I would say Champions League, the budget is about 200 million. Europa League, it's about 160. Conference League, probably about 120. And now that doesn't include sales.

18:28I think Liverpool have a couple of sales they could make this summer. But obviously, as we know, they're also losing salad on a free. And they may lose Robertson on a free. And they may also lose Ibu Kanate on a free. So we're going to start at the back and we're going to work out from there. Four two three one goalkeeper. I'm keeping Alison, no matter what. The question is more on the back up. Is Mamardashvili happy to stay for another season? I think he may well be. I think he may well be happy to stay as the back up for another year. But I know that if he's not, I do have it as well of Yaros. So I can loan at Mamardashvili. And I can bring in Yaros. So goalkeeper, I'm not actually going to touch. I'm happy with Woodman as a third. We've got I mean, peshy. I'm happy with the goalkeeping situation Liverpool. I don't think it's something we need to concern ourselves with. Now could Alison also turn around and say, by the way, I'm leaving. Yeah, maybe, maybe.

19:29But the club. I think. With Alison like with Mo and like with Virgil when the time comes. They're not going to look to get a transfer fee for them because. The service those labs have given the club they'll they'll want them to pick the next club whenever the time comes. And Liverpool triggered the year option on Ali's contract, which I think needs. They're going to keep them for the year. So goalkeeper, I'm set. Right back. For me. I'm moving subos like to right back permanently. But I don't think subos like wants to do that. So I'm going to suggest that we don't do that. I'm going to suggest subos like plays in a more advanced position. I think that's probably what will happen. Connor Bradley is out injured, but he will be back. At a certain point. Now.

20:29Liverpool do have Jeremy Fremppong. I think Fremppong's more of a utility player than a. A right back or a right. I think you just play him where you need him as and when. So I'm just going to look at Bradley as the back up. Fremppong is an option. And we need a starting right back. If we get champions league football. My pick would be. Archie great. And I know people might say, oh, but he's a midfield player. He is. He is a midfield player. He's also a right back. Who's played a lot of right back. And I can move him into midfield as and when I need him. And in years to come, I can develop him into midfield. So I'm happy. Wish. Archie Gray. At. At right back. I think he would be exceptionally good there. I think he can give a playmaking aspect.

21:31I think there's there's tons of room for growth. He's my right back. If we get champions league and I think Spurs paid 35. Depending on what happens with Spurs. He could be. He could be 35 if they go down. They might need to sell. If they don't go down, you'll have to convince them. I think 55. Given his age, given his talent, given his versatility. I'm good with paying that for a player of his quality. If we don't get champions league, I think I have to go to option B. So option B is Jeveral Reed. Of Final. Now, the only knock I have on him is he's not as tall as I would like. But 19 years of age with huge upside, particularly on the defensive end.

22:31I think 30 million gets Reed. And I think you can do that regardless of whether you're Europa League or Europa conference league. So he's going to be my option B at right back. Left back. I've got Kirk as Robertson's going to go. I can keep cost to stomach is if I want, but I think I just sell him. And I think I just go with Luke Chambers and then have column Scanlon as the third option. So I think left back we're actually good for next year. I wouldn't be doing anything. Right side center back a lot depends on what happens with Ibu Kanate. I'm just going to operate on the assumption that he's going just for the point of this exercise. Now Liverpool do have Giovanni Leoni. They've also signed Jeremy Jackie. But Leoni's coming back off the tornado.

23:31I'm not expecting much from him until 2027. Jackie I think is supremely talented. But I think they've signed him more to be the Van Dyke kind of successor. So I'm going to look at him as more of the backup left side center back just for the purposes of this. The center back I want and I think I can get him regardless of what competition I'm in. The more I think about it the more I think this is the kid to go and get his Lucavuscavich. Now obviously owned by Tottenham. So you know you'd have to be having a conversation with Spurs with regards to getting him angry. I think Spurs paid 15. He's never played a game for them. I'm offering them 45 for Lucavuscavich. Now is that excessively high if we're not in the Champions League it may well be it may well be.

24:37So if we're not in the Champions League I think my alternative is I go Jackie as the right side center back. And I look for a backup to Van Dyke and there I go Tylell Taty of Nons and also probably going down. So potentially available at a good price I'm going to say 20 million regardless of which competition. So Lucavuscavich if we're in the Champions League. Jackie as the starter if we're not and I'll go Tylell Taty as the backup now moving into midfield defensive midfield and central midfield. This is an area where Liverpool needs multiple additions. So here's what I'm going to say.

25:39If Liverpool get into the Champions League I'm going Adam Warton for 80 million. If they don't I'm keeping Alexis McHallister. My defensive midfielder no matter what competition I'm in is Lemine Camara. And I know that's a big chunk of the budget but I'll make it work. So I know Lemine the Lex is a little bit small I get that but Lemine is so special that it's not going to matter. 45 million gets me Lemine Camara I'm doing that all day. Moving on then so we've got right wing 10 and we've got left wing.

26:43A couple of ways to approach this and the key is how to use Sebastian now looking at how. The Hoynes has set his teams up I think he could use Sebastian off either flank but I think he could potentially use him as the 10 as well and play verse off the left. He's very flexible but I like the way he's used lulling for Dom. So I'm actually going to go with Dom no matter what Dom is my right winger. And by right winger I mean he's going to play a narrow right hand side. That will leave verses the 10 no matter what. And then it comes down to winger someone on the left now.

27:44You see the big name that's doing the rounds is Yandhi Amande that's the one that's been linked to Liverpool and if they get champions league I think that's the route to take. So I'm going to say the Amande at 80 million if they get champions league but if they don't I'm going to go young Cooper Minter. And I'm going Minter for both competitions. Now I believe they paid 30 to get him so I'm going to offer them 45 now. I said my budget for the Europa League was 160 million read and tati is 50. I mean and Minter is another 90 that's 140 million. So I'm below budget for the Europa League. However I went same players for the conference league so I am above budget for conference league.

28:50So I need to make some sales. For champions league I said 200 million. Grey and vuski which is a hundred. Wharton and the Amande is 160 and the mean is 45 so that's 300 now of course. I should point out I've got a sack. And Hugo has my nine options so I don't need a striker. So I'm over budget for the Europa conference league and I'm over budget for the Champions League. I'm over budget for the Champions League by 105 million. I'm 20 million under for the Europa League and I'm 20 million over for the conference league. So if I take a quick look at the Liverpool squad. And I have to make up 20 million. I think I get Harvey Elliott out the door for 15.

29:50And I think I can find someone to take Costa Cimicus for five. That balances me out for the conference league. I'm obviously balanced out for the Europa League and still have space to go and get one more player to fit wherever I want. So I might in that situation in the Europa League where I'm under budget. I might go and look to bring in another winger, a young winger who I can develop potentially on the right hand side into. If not a striker, certainly someone that can be a valuable squad contributor. So could I then look at Abdul Fatu. Fatu, I think that's how you say it is, how you say it, isn't it? At Leicester, Leicester might be dropping in to league one. Can I get him for 20 million?

30:54I think I probably can strengthen the squad even more than the quality player. I'm good. I don't actually need to sell anybody in that circumstance. I can keep everybody I want. I need to find 105 million in sales for the Champions League. We're going to go with Elliott again. 15. Costa Cimicus for five. Alexis McHallister, because I'm bringing in Warden, Alexis is now someone who's expandable to me. Now, remember as well, if I want, if I'm going to look at Dom as the starting right side of player, but he's also going to play other places. He played 10, he'll play in midfield. But what it gives me is the opportunity to move my left winger either Diamande or Minta to the right. And play 10 to the Hugo on the left or play Hugo in the 10 with votes on the left. And then the winger on the other side. So you get flexibility and you get versatility.

31:54Also obviously got the idea that the option of playing Diamande or Minta on the right and reawing the more on the left instead of Cody Gackbo. So in that regard, I think we're in good stead. So if I'm buying Warden, I'm selling Alexis. I still think there's you won't get to 70 that was there last summer, but I think there's 50 there for this summer. So that gets me to 70 million in sales. So now I need another 35 million in sales. I think Joe Gomez is expendable. No matter what, Joe is expendable. But I think Joe can bring me 10. I think what Turro Endo can bring me five. Feddie Kiezer. I'd bet this 10 million out there for him.

32:56So now I'm a 25 and Stefan Bessettic gets me 10. And if I sell Elliott, Castus, Alexis Gomez, Endo, Kiezer and Bessettic, I haven't really lost anything other than Alexis because Joe's barely played. Endo's barely played Kiezer's barely played. Castus and Elliott have been on loan and Bessettic hasn't played at all. So there's also, you know, I could sell Calvin Ramsey and maybe get two million back for him or whatever the case may be. So Elliott, Castus and Alexis gives me 70 Gomez, Endo, Kiezer and Bessettic gives me 35 that balances me out at 105. So in the Champions League, my starting 11 is Archie Gray, is Allison Archie Gray, Vuskevic Van Dyke and Leoni, Lemine and Adam Wharton,

34:05Tom Wirtz, Diamonde and Issac. The Europa League, the starting 11 is Allison Reed, Jacque Van Dyke and Kirk Es, Lemine and Alexis, Tom Wirtz, Minta and Issac. And my Europa conference team is exactly the same. And then when I look at the back up 11, in the Champions League, it is Mamardashvili Bradley, Jacque and Bradley Leoni, Jacque Chambers. That defense becomes, or did I say that, yeah, Reed is the right back for Europa League in terms of that. In the defense, in the back up defense in the Europa League is Mamardashvili Bradley Leoni Taty and Chambers. And it's the same in the conference league. Back up midfield is Curtis Jones and Gravenberg with Trainiani and James McConnell as depth across all competitions.

35:15That's the same back up group. In attack then, I've got Dom starting on the right. So I'm just going to say that Rio is the default back up there. Wirtz is the 10, that's going to be back up by committee. So potentially it's Dom playing there. It's Hugo playing there. It could be a game where you move one of the midfielders in a Curtis or even Gravenberg. That's fine. Left wing. I've got Gakko, but I can also then play Wirtz there. I can play Dom there. I can play Rio there. I think that's enough. And then up front, I've got Issac. I've got Hugo. Hugo can also play off the left. Of course, as we saw last night from Brazil, offer France against Brazil, I should say. Up front, I've got Issac. I've got Hugo. I've got Jaden Danes. I've got Will Wright. I've got Cody Gakko.

36:18And I'm absolutely fine with that. So I think that is that is that that's where I stand on those things. Right. I'm going to go to break again. I'll be back in a sec. Soutopia 2 has come home to Disney plus. Let's go. Get ready for a new case for the greatest partner of all time. Do it this night. And your last name? This night. Dream team, new habitats. Utopia has a secret reptile population. You can watch the record breaking phenomenon at home. Soutopia 2, now available on Disney plus rated PG. And right now you can get Disney plus and hulu for just $4.99 a month for three months with a special limit to time offer ends March 24th. After three months playing auto renews at $12.99 a month, terms apply. Going outside is so in. During spring festive lows for limited time. Get extra big deals on select Holland pavers. Three for $1. Plus save $70 in a char broil performance for burner grill. Now $179. And chef up shareables for your whole crew.

37:18Fix your perfect patios and good food. Yes, please. Our best lineup is here at Loves. Valet to 330. Wasteplyze last selection. Derries by location. Paver offer exclusive. Start your day with Quaker protein instant oatmeal. The instant oatmeal ready to help you tackle whatever your day brings. Like wrinkling your toddler into their car seat. That was fun. Coaching your six graders soccer team. Double girls. And carrying all the groceries in one trip. Try Quaker protein instant oatmeal, granola and bars. Great taste and a good source of protein. Quaker bring out the good. Right, welcome back. So despite my bitterness at what took place last night, I do want to just have a quick moment to talk about Czech public national team. Not the current national team because. Well, like I said, bunch of cry arses. But the Czechs have given us a lot of joy down the years.

38:19Now, obviously, if we go back in time when they were Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic in Slovakia as one nation. They did win the European championships in 1976, while also finishing third in both 1960 and 1980. Those are the European championships where there were four teams. But if we take a look at the 76 team very quickly, the team that beat the Netherlands in the semifinal by three goals to one. And then beat Germany in the final on penalties. With Penenka scoring the winner. And infamous famously, you know, having a penalty technique named after him. I'm not sure if he's aware that that was the winning penalty in a European championship final. It's also just very, very funny that. And early honours whose absolute dickhead is the German player

39:20that missed his penalty in that shoot at the Czechs work. Tunnel opened that final as well. It's forgotten and Germany fall back. But that Czech team Czech Republic team or Czechoslovakia team rather won the European championships, which is a remarkable achievement. Since becoming the Czech Republic though. 1996. We didn't know much about this team. A lot of players that we were unfamiliar with because most of them played in their homeland. This is pre internet, so pre social media and all the rest. The only player we were really aware of as fans of English football was Pavel Cernacek, who was the goalkeeper at Newcastle. But you look at that squad and there's just some fantastically gifted players. Now there's some that people won't want to hear about. So we're not going to be delve into them. But I'm going to focus in on four in particular that had a notable impact for.

40:25Fans of English football or just football in general. So the first one is Carol Pavorski. He scored what was ranked as goal of the tournament in that competition though. It wasn't for me. It was the third best goal. Davar Sukers was better and gazes was better as well. But Pavorski scored a great goal and with that goal earned a move to Manchester United. He was a hard-grafting right-sighted player who didn't really work out at United. They had Beckham and Pavorski wasn't going to get in ahead of him. To his credit, he was 24-25. He didn't want to sit and be the backup. So he went to Benfica. He did well there. He went on to Lazio and then he went home to his homeland. He won a hundred and eighteen caps and scored eight goals for the Czech Republic. But the most notable goal will always be that goal against Portugal in those European championships. If you haven't seen it, I do suggest going and watching that goal. It was absolutely sensational.

41:25Next up then is the Liverpool duel. Vladislav Schmidtzer. Schmidtzer arrived at Liverpool from Lones. Now he gone to Lones in 96 off the back of these Euros. He'd done very well there. He came to Liverpool and frankly overall he was a disappointment. But then on the biggest night in Istanbul, he showed up, came on as a sub and scored a memorable goal. He also stepped up and scored a penalty. And in doing so, wrote his name into the annals of Liverpool history. He would leave after that final and go to Bordeaux. And then he went back to play for Slavia Prague. He won 80 caps and scored 27 goals for his national team. The other one who came to Liverpool was Patrick Berger. Now Berger was one of the few that had actually left before the Euros. He went in 95, he left Slavia Prague and went to Dortmund. And Liverpool signed him early in the 96-97 season.

42:28Again, probably off the base of what he'd done at the Euros. He played for Liverpool for seven years. He was maybe the most handsome man to play in the Premier League. Rocket of a left thought but never quite lived up to the expectations. Especially considering he scored those two early goals. I want to say a way to Leicester. But he was a good player for Liverpool. He went on to play for Portsmouth, Frost and Villa for Stoke. And then went back to Slavia Prague. He won 42 caps. He retired very early at the international level. He retired at 28. It was a boycott that he had initially over the manager. Then after the Euros was then brought back in. And I believe then fell out with the national team manager again. So yeah. Very good player but you know, didn't live up to the talent. The one who is undoubtedly, I think the best Czech player of all time,

43:29is for me anyway, Pavel Nedvet. What an incredible footballer. He was at Sparta after the Euros. He goes to Lazio. He's part of that incredible team under Sven. And then he goes to Juventus and he wins a ball on door. And he becomes the player that everybody came to know. Along which meets him in Pavarski, he stuck around till 96 at the international level. 191 caps and scored 18 goals. I love Pavel Pavarski as a player. He was just incredible. Two-foughted. Could pass and shoot with both feet. Great ball carrier. Dynamite. Absolute dynamite footballer. Played off the left. Could cut inside. Could go outside. Not a winger. He was a midfielder who played wide. Play as a ten. Could play in a three. He was just absolutely outstanding. I'm one of my favorite players of the 90s and 2000s.

44:29One other player to note, Peter Kuba, who was the starting goalkeeper. He bore a bear. Sorry. Not the he bear, but he bears the current goalkeeper. Mr. Kovar, Mathej Kovar of PSV bears a striking resemblance to Peter Kuba. If we look at some of the other great Czech players. Over the years. You know, Peter Czech obviously stands out one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Many people would have him as their best ever, Premier League goalkeeper. And I don't think that's an outlandish claim at all. Fantastic for Ren then for Chelsea and then for Arsenal. 124 cups, most cap player in the history of the Czech Republic.

45:29Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. My second favorite Czech player and another one that I adored was Thomas Rosic. You know, he wasn't in the national team squad in 96. He was only 16. He came along a bit later, but I fell in love with him watching him at Dortmunds. He was part of that wonderful Dortmund team under Mathej Samar playing behind the front two in a three, four, one, two. Beautiful little playmaker career ravaged by injuries, but went to Arsenal, spent 10 years at Arsenal. And was when he could stay fit. He was really good for them. Like with many, he came through at Sparta and went back and finished the Sparta. He won 105 cups and scored 23 goals. The third Czech that Liverpool had was Milan Baros. He came through Bannock Astrava joined Liverpool from them in 2001, spent four years. The club played his part in the Champions League win and then moved on to Austin Villa.

46:31And Leon Portsmith Galatasaray back to Bannock. And Talia Spore back to Bannock. Bouloslav Lieberisch and then back to Bannock again. He only retired in 2020. One 93 cups and scored 41 goals in an 11 year national team career from 01 to 2012. I liked Baros, but you know, get your head up a little bit more often and that's good. And then Jan Collar. Jan Collar was also in that Dortmund team. It was him and Amaruso up front with Rizicki in behind six foot eight target man. Just a monster to deal with an absolute monster to deal with. Again, another one from the Sparta Prague Academy. He wasn't called up in 1996. Didn't make his debut at the national level till 1999. He'd been kicking around for a few years at that point. I went to Andalek, then Dortmund, then Monaco, Nuremberg.

47:31Went to play for a Sovatev in Russia and then finished up with Khan in France. And always scored goals. Always scored goals 91 games for the national team 55 goals, which is a record. Anyone else? That's where Pavel Kuka was a very good player. In terms of the World Cup. The Czech Republic were runners up in 1934 and 1962. They have not qualified for a World Cup since 2006. So this obviously is huge for them to try and get past Denmark. In the European Championships, they're a regular. And they've been at every European Championship since the split of the Czechoslovakia. They've definitely been the more powerful team as opposed to Slovakia. It's one one more tick for them that they won last night in Slovakia.

48:33Didn't. Yeah, I just thought I'd pay them there. Give them their flowers because. You know, in 96, them in Croatia were kind of the two great stories of the competition. And they obviously like Croatia get so much of the headlines for that competition. But it's always worth remembering that they got to the final. The Czechs got to the final. And we're very unlucky not to win it. In 96, as I've said many times, my favorite international tournament. They lost their first game to to the Germans at Old Trafford. Then they beat Italy at Anfield to one at Nedved and Bebel. I think it's almost scoring the goals either side of a Federico, an Enrico Kiezer equalizer. And then in the final game, also at Anfield, they threw three, three with Russia. A late valley Schmitzer goal sending them through.

49:34Because otherwise they would have finished third and not advanced from there. They beat Portugal 1-0 with that goal by Porski that I mentioned. And then in a huge upset, they beat France in the semi-final. The French team that would now obviously wasn't the same French team. But it was very strong French team with Sedan and Jorkeyev and Lauren Blanc and Dessie and a bunch of those players. They beat them 6-5 on penalties, all 6 Czechs who stepped up scored their penalties, including Nedved Berger and Porski. And then they played the Germans in a final. They get a penalty. Patrick Berger scores the one-up on 59 minutes. Oliver Beerhoff equalizes on 73. And then on 85, it's the golden goal rule at the time. And Germany win. Beerhoff scores on 95 and it ends the game. I never liked the gold and gold. The silver goal I didn't mind, which was if the goal was in the first half of X to time.

50:37And there was no equalizer. The game ended at half time and X time. So you got to play at the rest of that half. I didn't like the golden goal. I thought it was cruel. I really did think it was cruel. I've always wondered what would have happened if that game had continued. Now the Germans, I think, would have won it, but the Czechs were really, really good and gave them everything they could handle. And what I really liked about the Czech team is it was a team. Nobody from the Czech Republic scored more than one goal at those euros. Bebel Berger, Kukka, Nedved Poborski, Schmitzer and Suchaparak all scored one goal each. And that's what got them there. They were a team. And I loved that team. I had thought they were fantastic. And they came from nowhere because we knew absolutely nothing about them. So there we go. That is my little homage to the Czech Republic. Take care of yourselves. Have a great weekend. Bye-bye.