Category: Stories
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Russia, the Euros and Me
When you get rejected by a budget supermarket chain for a shelf-stacking job, you know it’s time to switch focus; that was my position 12 years ago after finishing journalism college, so I looked abroad for opportunities. I knew nothing of Russian culture or the football other than the UEFA Cup wins in 2005 and…
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Mind In Medway
“Sport brings people together” is a phrase we often hear and particularly with regards to football. It can be a welcome distraction from people’s lives, from anything that can be troubling, be it work, home life or a global pandemic. Currently, with a frightening and troubling virus forever in our consciousness, the effects on our…
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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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32 Sides to Every Story: Group H – Colombia, Japan, Senegal & Poland
Group H may just be one of the most open, unpredictable groups in the modern World Cup eras, with all four teams having a strong claim to win the group and go home in equal measure. Colombia qualified in an incredibly tight CONMENBOL pool, finishing fourth, only one point ahead of both Peru and Chile,…
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Canadian Premier League
When you think of football in North America, you immediately think Major League Soccer, with all the media attention it gets and the superstar signings. It contains some big franchise teams that people the world over have heard of – LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Vancouver Whitecaps; the list goes on – and is…
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32 Sides to Every Story: Group G – England, Belgium, Tunisia & Panama
Group G was, baring a near-miracle, always going to be a group of two halves. England and Belgium would be competing for top spot while Tunisia and Panama were battling it out to avoid finishing bottom. England topped their qualification group, withstanding pressure from Slovakia and Scotland, drawing two games and winning the rest. Belgium…
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32 Sides to Every Story: Group F – Germany, Mexico, Sweden & South Korea
Group F saw the reigning champions, Germany, pitted against the ambitious nations of Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, three teams who all expect at least a last 16 spot in a World Cup. This had real ‘Group of Death’ potential. Germany waltzed into the World Cup with ease, topping their group with 10 wins from…
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32 Sides to Every Story: Group E – Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia & Costa Rica
Group E was billed as a battle for second spot – Brazil was the consensus pick to walk the group, with the remaining teams all vying for the second spot to qualify. Brazil topped qualification with ease, only losing one game, an away match to Chile on matchday one. Switzerland finished second in UEFA group…
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32 Sides to Every Story: Group D – Argentina, Croatia, Iceland & Nigeria
Group D, on paper, should have been a group of two halves: Argentina and Croatia were meant to be battling it out for top spot, while Iceland and Nigeria were expected to be battling it out to avoid finishing last. Argentina had been underwhelming in qualifying, though Messi and co would have been hoping to…
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32 Sides to Every Story: Group C – France, Denmark, Peru & Australia
Welcome to the third part of our epic tale of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, told through the eyes of those on the ground. I spoke to a fan from all 32 nations to get a taste for how they had travelled to Russia, their impressions of the tournament and the enduring emotions…
Heart of Football 