Author: Richard David Pike
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When Greeks became Gods: Euro 2004’s epic final
Euro 2020 will go down as one of the more unusual tournaments; spread over 11 host cities from Baku to Glasgow, delayed a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and countless records tumbled. It certainly wasn’t the first to shock fans though; today we look back at the final of the 2004 edition in Portugal, […]
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England vs Sweden Euro 92 – Lineker Substituted
Euro 92 was one of the more extraordinary championships, not least for the eventual winners Denmark only joining a matter of days before the first match when Yugoslavia were expelled. It was also the last finals with just eight teams before the tournament doubled in time for Euro 96, but one match will stand out […]
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The first-ever all-Basque Copa del Rey Final
Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao: Despite the enforced delay, an historic cup final with a rivalry running deep to the heart. Prior to the 2019/20 season, it would be no exaggeration to suggest that Spain’s domestic cup competition lacked the prestige, diversity of winners and ability to produce memorable shocks of its English counterpart, the […]
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FM Challenges – (5) Great geographical and through-the-leagues challenges
We are already well into 2021, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this point we normally begin to see the runners & riders in a title race emerge in Europe and the champions begin to be crowned in leagues in both North & South America. It […]
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FM21 Challenges – (4) Historic feats, massive overachievement, and usurping large neighbours
A new chapter has begun, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this point we normally begin to see the runners & riders in a title race emerge in Europe and the champions begin to be crowned in leagues in both North & South America. It is […]
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FM Challenges – (3) Back in the Big Time: Making an Impression, Top Flight Debutants & Underdogs
Thankfully 2020 is drawing to a close, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this point we normally begin to see the runners & riders in a title race emerge in Europe and the champions begin to be crowned in leagues in both North & South America. […]
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FM21 Challenges – (2) Return to European Glory or First Domestic Title
Christmas has gone, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this point we normally begin to see the runners & riders in title races around Europe emerge as the champions begin to be crowned in leagues in both North & South America. It is also the time […]
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FM21 Challenges: (1) Restore Fallen Domestic Giants
Christmas has gone, years go by, yet from a football point of view, certain things never change. At this point we normally begin to see the runners & riders in title races around Europe emerge as the champions begin to be crowned in leagues in both North & South America. It is also the time […]
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Four Minutes in May: Remembering Schalke 04’s Champion of Hearts 20 years on
Football stadiums are many a person’s place to be on a weekend. Since March 2020 onwards with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, however, venues across nearly all of Europe’s leagues have fallen silent with games being played behind closed doors. Whilst games have continued in this eerie fashion, many have stated that the ‘new normal’ of […]
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Au Revoir Coupe de la Ligue
French football’s main domestic cup competition is the Coupe de France, a competition famous for its upsets and extraordinary tales. There is a second cup competition in France, the Coupe de la Ligue, but not for much longer. On 31 July 2020, the 2019/20 edition will conclude with its final between Olympique Lyonnais and Paris […]
Heart of Football 