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The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
History in Malta and dancing on the streets of Andorra
Bigger Cup is up and running, baby, as we officially wave goodbye to 'last season' and welcome 'this season'. The question of when we enter a new campaign is eternally asked; it's like the quandary of where the north of England starts (anything above Bristol Stoke, if you were wondering), and Football Daily is happy to provide the definitive answer of … roundabout now. Tuesday's first qualifying round second legs brought the drama Uefa desperately needs to make the competition entertaining before the drudge of matches from September to January. Unfortunately for the suits in Switzerland, almost certainly none of the teams currently playing in the qualifying rounds will reach the league stage but we should let Hamrun Spartans, Lincoln Red Imps and Drita dream … for a bit. At the same time, the prospect of facing Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and FC Basel is over for another year for the likes of The New Saints, Differdange 03 and Virtus, who will have to wipe away the tears, pull their socks up and go again in Tin Pot. Permanent Welsh champions TNS went down to a 116th-minute own goal against Macedonia's Shkendija to lose 2-1 on the night and on aggregate. Football Daily might even have watched it on S4C due to our commitment to the underdog and love of Welsh commentary. 'There is one thing everyone can be proud of through the club, it's that everyone gave everything that they had,' chirped manager Craig Harrison. 'No one could give anything more and sometimes that's all you can ask.' There was greater cruelty for Lithuania's Zalgaris, who last won a two-legged Big Cup tie in 2000, as they were sent packing by Malta's mighty Hamrun Spartans 11-10 on penalties after 28 spot-kicks. It is the first time a Maltese side have made it beyond this round, becoming part of football history in the process. Even in defeat there can be triumph. Andorra's national team are ranked 173rd in the world, therefore when their best and brightest, Inter Club d'Escaldes, drew Romanian giants FCSB, who won the competition back in the 1986 by beating Barcelona, when they were known as Steaua, no one gave them a chance. Inter Club d'Escaldes obviously lost over two legs because FCSB possess the former Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches and ex-Port Vale man Dennis Politic. Respectfully beaten 3-1 in the Romanian capital, a lesser team would have given up and gone through the motions. But Inter Club could not let down the 509 fans inside the Nou Estadi Encamp and ran out 2-1 winners, exiting by a single-goal margin. The names of Sascha Andreu and Alexandre Llovet will be sung on the streets of Escaldes–Engordany for years to come. Dynamo Kyiv, Slovan Bratislava and Crvena Zvezda enter in the next round, readying themselves to bring their lesser-known rivals back down to earth and restore the natural order at the top of the second qualifying round tree. Come May, the ending will doubtless be the same given that the biggest clubs win the biggest prizes, but the summer months provide a reminder that football is more than just millionaires battling for trinkets and there is still glory to be had for those other professionals who can say they are Bigger Cup players. The evolution of the football season is well and truly under way. Join Sarah Rendell from 8pm BST for Euro 2025 quarter-final MBM coverage of Norway 2-1 Italy. 'As you may be aware, other clubs seem to go through much more protracted disputes with less severe outcomes. Many believe that this process has been opaque and disproportionately punitive. We hope you will take this matter seriously and act to uphold the principles of fairness, accountability, and integrity in sport' – part of the contents of a letter from seven Liberal Democrat MPs to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, urging her to intervene over Crystal Palace's demotion from Bigger Vase, following a fan protest on the streets of south London on Tuesday. Apropos the article on Puma's deal with Manchester City (yesterday's Football Daily), a shout out please for their retro-inspired 2025-26 strips produced for Port Vale's 150th anniversary. Pleasingly sponsor-free and designed by supporters (OK, the boss's son) rather than some PR wonk, they are the absolute business' – Rob Ford. Re: yesterday's Football Daily letters. For the last 30 years I've lived roughly a Rory Delap throw-in away from the Auld Triangle/Plimsoll in Finsbury Park. On a visit to the Irish Emigration Musuem in Dublin a few years ago, my daughter was surprised to see a faithful reproduction of the pre-gastro incarnation set up as an example of the type of pub that the Irish diaspora has created around the world. I've no idea if it is still an exhibit there, but possibly worth a trip for anyone who misses the old days. I don't think they have a replica Robbie doing the quiz, mind' – Brendan Mackinney. If you have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Rob Ford. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. Back to Crystal Palace, albeit indirectly, after their former goalkeeper and troublesome dinner guest Wayne Hennessey called time on his playing career. 'I have amazing memories playing for both club and country,' declared the Welshman, who won 109 caps but also managed to get a David Squires cartoon based on his off-field actions. 'From my early days at Wolves, loans at Stockport and Yeovil, and my time with Palace, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, each club shaped me both on and off the field. Having been born and raised in north Wales, it was always my dream to play at the highest level. It was a privilege to play in the Premier League and for my country over 100 times.' It will be clubmate v clubmate when England face Sweden in the last eight of Euro 2025, but Arsenal's Leah Williamson is looking forward to colliding with Stina Blackstenius. 'It's rare that I get to play against Stina in this setting. I enjoy it, I like Stina,' she grinned. 'It's tough to remove all of that to just go at it, you don't want to focus on it too much … but I think I've known Stina long enough now that I know who she is and it's time to focus on us.' Technical problems with Fifa's online Mr/Mrs 15% exam have prevented candidates from completing the test, with many told they will have to wait 12 months and try again. 'Lots of people have put loads of time and effort into revising and to not be able to take the exam is really unfair. It's a shambles,' whispered a source. Manchester United want Bryan Mbeumo. Big Sir Jim Ratcliffe isn't keen on going north of £65m. Brentford want nearer £70m. On it goes. Ethan Nwaneri, one of Arsenal's breakout tyros from last season, is poised to commit his future to the club and sign a lucrative new contract. Leicester have plumped for former QPR boss Martí Cifuentes as the best option to succeed Ruud van Nistelrooy. 'This is a fantastic club with a proud history and it's a privilege to me to be asked to help write the next chapter,' cheered Cifuentes. And Australia winger Nestory Irankunda hopes a move from Bayern to Watford can reboot his flamin' international career in time for the World Cup. 'I have to be playing minutes and I wasn't playing,' he sighed. 'The Championship's also a world-class league. The best thing for me was to go somewhere else.' Wing, Back. Utaka. The Knowledge looks at players whose names are similar to their positions, the hottest English match on record and plenty more. Will the Norway of Hegerberg, Graham Hansen, Reiten et al finally fulfil their potential at Euro 2025? Tom Garry previews their quarter-final with Italy. Euro 2025 is shaping up to be a great success, reckons Suzanne Wrack, but we could still do with an upset or two. Suzanne also shines the spotlight on the importance of England's game-finishing 'clique'. And with half the Scottish Premiership now under US ownership, Graham Ruthven analyses the growing American investor interest in fitba. Touching their hero, children from the Sacred Heart primary school, which adjoined the Middlesbrough's training ground, mob new signing Juninho after he completed his first full training session with the team in October 1995.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'A shining light'
Former Wolves captain Conor Coady posts about Diogo Jota death on Instagram:One of the best players I've ever had the privilege of sharing a pitch with. He became a brother in a special team and was a shining light within it. You will be missed my mate by to a special Football Daily episode on Jota
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ignore the keyboard warriors: bring on Swiss cliches and Euro 2025
With the Lions Tour, Wimbledon, the second cricket Test between England and India and Copa Gianni all in full swing, the last thing all us sports fans who are so spoiled for summer choice need is keyboard warriors on social media abominations complaining about women's football being 'forced down our throats'. Especially given that, like each of the other sporting events listed above, watching Euro 2025 is still not compulsory. Due to take place in Switzerland over the next 25 days, the tournament kicks off on Wednesday, with Iceland taking on Finland in the early game before hosts Switzerland take on Norway in one of 22 out of 32 games that are already completely sold out. While Proper Football Men such as @FirstNameBunchOfNumbers are likely to be as performatively uninterested in the competition as we've come to expect, home fans and many of their travelling counterparts have certainly bought into it. Thus far, ticket sales have already topped 600,000, in a state of affairs that suggests interest in the European women's game is now higher than many of the Alpine peaks that will serve as picturesque backdrops in the various TV montages containing Toblerones, clocks, cheese, yodelling men, pocket knives and brown cows with bells around their necks that would almost certainly materialise in the coming weeks if Football Daily had won the rights. 'I sincerely thank the Swiss Football Association and its president, Dominique Blanc, for their tireless efforts in preparing for this event, and the host cities, volunteers and fans whose energy and support will leave a lasting legacy,' honked Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin in his pre-tournament address. 'The stage now belongs to the 16 outstanding teams chasing the dreams of European glory. I wish them all good health, to be on top of their game, to make their nations proud, and to write a new chapter in football history.' Of the teams who qualified, approximately five are considered genuine contenders to lift the trophy, even if most experts seem to have flagged up Spain, the World Cup holders, as the most likely winners. England will be hopeful to retain the title they won at Wembley three years ago but have also been earmarked as potential high-profile early croppers amid some talk of unhappiness in a camp that includes high-profile absentees. Lioness legends Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby all withdrew from contention (or in some cases learned they weren't in contention) in the week leading up to the announcement of Sarina Wiegman's squad, prompting accusations that their Dutch manager was presiding over a disharmonious squad being rent asunder by excessively big egos. 'That is not the case,' sniffed Wiegman at the time, upon being asked if her team is in crisis. 'We are going with these 23 to the Euros now and I feel very comfortable with this team. I am very happy with the team and I am very excited, and I am looking forward to it. For me, it doesn't feel like a crisis at all.' Yet to taste defeat as a manager at the Euros going into her third tournament, Wiegman is a wily veteran, unlike Wales and Poland, who will be making their debuts in this showcase of a sport that has never been in more rude health. Join Barry Glendenning from 5pm BST for MBM coverage of Iceland 1-1 Finland in the Euro 2025 opener, with Scott Murray on deck at 8pm for Switzerland 2-1 Norway. I'm my own worst critic. If I'm not happy with it, it doesn't go out. It simply doesn't happen. When it came to [Swindon's] Don Rogers, for instance, I cut that head off six times! It's kind of scary when you do that' – Alan Herriott is among the sculptors who detail the pressure of preserving a player's likeness and legacy for expectant fans in this entertaining piece. During what used to be the close season for football I would fill some of the void by watching Wimbledon. Seeing the line judges ducking 140mph serves – or not – was particularly enjoyable. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that, from this year, all the major calls are made by someone watching camera-assisted footage on a screen. Still, it seems these decisions are made more quickly and accurately. Perhaps football should consider something similar? Oh' – Justin Johnson. Surely commentators must be aware that goalposts and crossbars are inanimate objects? The posts aren't making last-ditch tackles, nor is the crossbar putting its body on the line by bravely throwing itself in front of goal-bound shots. So, for the love of Diego (other deities are available) please stop saying someone was 'denied by the woodwork'. Otherwise my long-suffering wife will have to go on hearing me shout at the telly like a demented idiot who believes the commentators can actually hear him' – Mark McFadden. Re: Diego Maradona's choice of icy refreshment (yesterday's Memory Lane, full email edition). From left to right: Pop-eye (limón); Frigo pie; Frigurón (in the form of a shark); Capitán Cola. Just FYI' – Tim Cole. Please send your letters to Today's winner of our letter o' the day competition is … Justin Johnson, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. It's the latest Football Weekly podcast on the Copa Gianni and Euro 2025. Newcastle United pride themselves on making headlines with their flags – they even have a fans' group dedicated to organising them so St James' Park looks its best on matchdays. But in the past 24 hours the club's use of one in a video has drawn attention for the wrong reasons. In a video to promote the Magpies' new third kit, which featured fan and young local rocker Sam Fender, the club included a flag that resembled the Rising Sun ensign used by Japan's army in the second world war. Yep, many people find it offensive. Ah. Time to roll out an apology. 'The reaction to our new third kit with Adidas has been special, but the launch video contained a scene that could inadvertently cause offence,' said a club statement. 'We apologise for that. We've removed the scene from the film to make sure that as many fans as possible can enjoy it.' Chelsea have added João Pedro to their Copa Gianni squad after signing the forward from Brighton in a deal worth up to £60m. And yes, he has penned a seven-year deal. Centre-back Jarell Quansah has skedaddled from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £35m. 'It's a great role and challenge for me to be part of the current Leverkusen rebuild,' whooped the 22-year-old. Another player who has been signing things is Chloe Kelly. The 27-year-old has completed a free transfer to Arsenal after her successful loan from Manchester City. 'Learning from an incredible manager and continuing to build relationships with an excellent team is a journey I'm looking forward to continuing,' cheered the England forward, from somewhere in Switzerland. Morecambe are on the brink of entering administration after talks between the club's directors and the owner, Jason Whittingham, failed to find a breakthrough regarding a potential takeover. Real Madrid are into the Copa Gianni quarter-finals after Gonzalo García's goal was enough for a 1-0 win over hot-and-bothered Juventus. 'Ten players asked to be substituted,' wheezed Juve boss Igor Tudor. 'The exhaustion was incredible … this heat … really gets to you.' Reports in Brazil say that Botafogo boss Renato Paiva was hoofed through the door marked Do One for not allowing chief suit John Textor to interfere by picking the team. 'All I can say is that I'm shocked, and the staff and players are open-mouthed about the decision,' sniffed Paiva. And Roy Hodgson and Thomas Tuchel have crossed paths at Wimbledon today. Let's hope this was a friendly chat about tactics and not an argument over whose seat it was. Euro 2025 is a moment to sense the sheer scale of progress, writes Jonathan Liew. Hammerings, history and hard times: the seven ages of Sarina Wiegman's England. By Tom Garry and Suzanne Wrack. Nick Ames on how Switzerland is hoping for a festival of football to get the Euros party started. How was the Copa Gianni for Manchester City? Jamie Jackson looks at the good and the not so good from their time in the USA USA USA. Has a team ever won Big/Bigger Cup without beating any champions? The Knowledge has the answer. It was a desperate exit to Guatemala in the Gold Cup for Canada. Joe Callaghan reviews what is going wrong for Jesse Marsch. And the Rumour Mill brings you all the latest tittle-tattle for your enjoyment. Today there is a suggestion an England winger will swap Chelsea for Arsenal. To a mud bath at Kenilworth Road as Sweden celebrate their triumph over England on penalties at Euro 1984, the game having gone the distance after finishing 1-1 after two legs. At the front right you may spot Pia Sundhage, who is leading hosts Switzerland into the current tournament as manager.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Football Daily Women's Football Weekly: When Scott Mills met the Lionesses
With one week to go until the 2025 Women's Euros get underway in Switzerland, Ellen White and Ben Haines have teamed up with host of the Radio 2 breakfast show, and star of the Lionesses squad announcement video, Scott Mills! Scott tells us about his experience visiting the Lionesses at St. George's Park plus gives Ben some advice about travelling around Switzerland after his time in Basel at the Eurovision Song Contest. Plus there's a special feature as Lionesses, Keira Walsh and Niamh Charles face off in a game of Dad Jokes, but who will crack first? With Ellen acting as the referee, this game is no laughing matter… 01:00 - Scott Mills makes his Football Daily debut! 03:50 - Scott's top tips for Switzerland. 08:20 - Scott and Ellen chat to Keira Walsh and Niamh Charles at St. George's Park. 13:00 - Keira and Niamh face off in a special edition of Dad Jokes.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trent Alexander-Arnold takes Route 12 on his big day at Real Madrid
ROUTE 12 If the football doesn't work out for him at Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold can try his luck as a regular panellist on the Spanish version of Just A Minute, a popular BBC Radio 4 comedy show, in which assorted comedians and luvvies are challenged to speak for one minute on a given subject without 'hesitation, repetition or deviation'. Football Daily is prepared to concede that – written down like that – it actually sounds really boring, but readers who are unfamiliar with the show will just have to take our word for it when we say the show is actually very funny. Or at least it was when we last listened to it about 25 years ago. Of course there is no Spanish version of Just A Minute, almost certainly because most Spaniards of our acquaintance can speak for up to three hours uninterrupted on any given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation. But we were certainly impressed when Alexander-Arnold stood behind a lectern in the bowels of the Bernabéu at his unveiling as a Real Madrid player, giving a welcome address of more than 60 seconds in what appeared to be perfectly fluent Spanish without once stuttering, pointing at a beer tap or bellowing 'EGG AND CHIPS!!!' at the top of his voice. Advertisement Short of clacking a pair of castanets or missing the presentation entirely because it clashed with his siesta, Madrid's new signing could scarcely have appeared more native, and his command of a language he appears to have been taking lessons in for a while will do little to allay [or should that be olé? – Football Daily Ed] the suspicions of Liverpool fans that he has been plotting his move to the Spanish capital for a very long time. He may even have been listening to Duolingo through his headphones on the team bus to Brighton a month ago. Either that or he's a very quick learner, because when one hack asked him how long he'd been learning Spanish, Alexander-Arnold smiled and replied 'a few months'. The 26-year-old later added that being a Real player is a 'dream', saying: 'It is something special, I don't take it for granted and I am very happy.' During his unveiling, it was also revealed his shirt number will be 12 (as opposed to his favoured 66) because Spanish rules preclude senior squad players from having anything higher than 25 and the nomenclature under which it will appear will be 'Trent' because why not? A big enough signing to merit a presentation but not so galactico that he had to live out Football Daily's recurring fever dream of being tossed a football and forced to do keepy-uppies in the centre-circle of a packed ground, prior to his Spanish masterclass, Trent and his nearest and dearest sat through a montage of his best bits. Featuring performances from Liverpool and England but mainly Liverpool, it included goals, free-kicks, raking 60-yard diagonals, that corner to tee up Divock Origi for his Big Cup winner against Barcelona, footage of Luis Díaz kneeling to buff his boot with an imaginary rag and almost as an afterthought … some boring defensive interventions. A showreel that left his mum dabbing her eyes with emotion, it was followed by a lengthy oration speech by Florentino Pérez that had her gazing intently at her phone. 'I want you to know that the defining trait of Real Madrid is that, in addition to being great players they are all true Madristas, you will quickly understand what Real Madrid is,' declared their president. At least that's what we think he said but we might need to check with a fluent Spanish-speaker like Trent. LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE Join Niall McVeigh from 8pm BST for hot MBM coverage of the Czech Republic 1-2 England at the European U-21 Championship. QUOTE OF THE DAY 9 June: 'I haven't been captain for a year or two. I've been wearing the armband for 11 years, and I've been playing for the national team for 17. It seemed to me that such matters should be handled differently. Everything was communicated over the phone. It really shouldn't be like this. The coach betrayed my trust' – Robert Lewandowski refuses to play for Poland under Michal Probierz after a row over the international captaincy. Advertisement 12 June: 'I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach. Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life' – Probierz comes off second best in the power struggle and takes his leave. FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS If I send you £740,000, will you please send me $1bn, as per the exchange rate on yesterday's News, Bits and Bobs (full email edition) element about Gianni's Club World Cup?' – Chris Hale (and 1,056 others). The solution to England's problems is staring the FA in the face: sack Thomas Tuchel immediately, appoint Ange Postecoglou now and, as usual, you're guaranteed a trophy – mate, it's the 2026 World Cup – in his second season' – Adrian Irving. Re: Mike Slattery's call on naming suggestions for Gianni's latest behemothic construction (yesterday's Football Daily letters), it seems to me that, at least for this edition, Top Trumps would be appropriate' – David Ford. May I suggest Big Bucket? Or – with a bit more hype – the MegaMug?' – Derrick Cameron. Re: the question 'is it OK to play in vintage football boots' (yesterday's last line, full email edition), I still have my Puma boots bought in 1970 – and keep them in their original Puma box. These weren't bought because Pelé was wearing such boots at the 1970 World Cup, but because Leeds United's Allan 'The Sniffer' Clarke (surely the greatest player ever to bestride the Football League, and not to be confused with the lead singer in The Hollies) favoured a pair. I'm now 73, so unfortunately cannot test the OK-ness of playing in them' – Paul Sanderson. If you do have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Adrian Irving. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. RECOMMENDED LISTENING Is the game ready for this Club World Cup? The Football Weekly team deliver an extra dose of podcasting action.
