Any Given Thursday

Today, we round up all the most interesting developments from the new, extended international break.

We've had a long three weeks without domestic football, but many interesting things are afoot on the national-team scale.

We begin in Europe, where many new coaches have taken over post-World Cup. We do quick hits on Klopp's Germany, Xavi's Netherlands, Zidane's France, as well as Italy, Croatia, Belgium, and Scotland. And yes, we...

It's our very first edition of ACROSS THE CONTINENT's intended format!

Every Monday, we will discuss a shared topic demanding our attention across the footballing word. Then, each of us will bring a surprise subject to present to the other.

This week, we have no choice but to tackle Manchester City as the main story, after it was announced they've been found guilty of nearly all 115 charges leveled against them.

David the lawyer br...

We're back to cover the Greek National Team in our latest Club Spotlight!

This one is long awaited by us, as we've been talking about the influx of young Greek talent across Europe for awhile now – but how did they get here?

We begin by giving a brief history of the national team in the 20th century, which was mainly a struggle, qualifying for only a couple major tournaments.

Of course, everything changed at Euro 2004, when O...

It's our final league preview episode on ACROSS THE CONTINENT, and to wrap up our journey through Europe's top 9 divisions, we're bringing you our takes on THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, and TURKEY's top flights.

Beginning in The Netherlands' Eredivisie, we debate the order of the big 5, speculate if anyone can keep pace with PSV, explain why Ajax still has a ways to go in their restructuring, and highlight AZ Alkmaar's exciting roster.

Our CLUB SPOTLIGHT series returns, and our first club of the 2026-27 season is Portugal's S.C.U. TORREENSE.

2nd-tier Torreense shocked the footballing world by winning the Taça de Portugal, defeating the mighty Sporting in extra time. As a result, the small-town club earned Europa League football, despite not competing in the top flight since 1992.

David breaks down the club's history and circumstances, its incredible cup run, and ...

For the fifth of six league previews to kick of ACROSS THE CONTINENT, we're taking on France's LIGUE 1 and Portugal's LIGA PORTUGAL.

Over in France, we begin with the relegation battle and debate which of the recently promoted teams we like best, as well as why we think OG Nice could be in serious trouble.

Next, we tackle mid-table and European outsiders, including some clubs with unusual financial stability and upside for a league...

The Europa League league phase is back, baby!

We begin by discussing Match-Day 1's top stories, including Benfica beating Milan at the San Siro, Besiktas taking it Marseille, Bournemouth's first European win at Real Sociedad, OFI Crete's triumphant return to Europe, and Torreense's famous win in Norway.

Then we revisit our pre-league phase power rankings and refresh the top ten, with a new number one and new additions to the top t...

ACROSS THE CONTINENT returns with our 4th league preview – and this time we're heading over to Germany to take a look at the BUNDESLIGA.

We begin by getting the Bayern and Dortmund plaudits out of the way, including complimenting Dortmund's summer business, before delving into teams we like and dislike.

In the segment, we ask the hard questions. Can new coaches in Leipzig and Leverkusen put the pieces together in time to chal...

It's time for our annual Conference League league phase preview!

We begin by going through our power rankings and identifying the primary contenders in the tournament. We explain why we think Brighton, Monaco, and Freiburg are a cut above the rest and why Atalanta has a lot of work to do.

We also identify some of our favorite teams outside of the top echelon, including Copenhagen and Frankfurt, and some teams that have a lot to pro...

Our sister show, ACROSS THE CONTINENT, is back with a preview of LA LIGA.

We begin with Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid. The early signs are positive – particularly his relationship with the likes of Mbappe and Bellingham – but can they sustain elite play? We debate whether they can keep pace with Rodri, Yamal, and Barcelona.

We also discuss Atlético's chances of keeping pace after a summer of big business, as we...

It's time for our annual Europa League league phase preview!

We start by discussing Italy's offering – Milan and Juventus – who should be tournament favorites. How good are they, and how much pressure should Italy feel to win the competition this year?

We also spotlight a few clubs who have had notable summers. Leverkusen and Besiktas have spent lots of money to bring in attacking talent. How close are they to breaking ...

It's the second episode of ACROSS THE CONTINENT, our sister show where we discuss subjects outside of our usual Europa and Conference League bubble.

Today, we're doing a preview of Italy's SERIE A.

We begin by examining the state of the league's annual coaching carousel. Who got it right and who got it terribly wrong? And what fresh faces have a chance to be successful?

Next, we discuss the league's recent youth movement after man...

The Europa and Conference League playoff qualifying came to a scintillating conclusion this week, and we're breaking it all down for you.

Beginning in Europa, Ferencvaros completed its 2-leg humiliation of Mo Salah's Trabzonspor – a game so bad the coach tried to quit and the club wouldn't let him. It's all very Turkish football. What's going on over there?

We also discuss Viktoria Plzen's massive comeback from a 3-goal defic...

It's the very first episode of our spinoff show, AROUND THE CONTINENT, where we will discuss subjects in European football outside our usual Europa & Conference League bubble!

To kick things off, we're doing six weeks of league previews, and first up is England's PREMIER LEAGUE.

We dig into our table predictions, starting with the likely relegation contenders. Can any of the promoted sides survive the drop? And why are we worri...

We're back to talk first legs of the final qualifying round!

We begin by complaining about streaming availability for these matches. Why does Paramount license the competitions and not show any of the qualifying games?

Then we move to Europa League, which was marked by a couple of startling results. First, we investigate Thun's humiliating 7-0 defeat at the hands of Lech Poznan. What's going wrong with the Swiss champions? Then we ...

We're back!

Any Given Thursday is full go for the 2026-27 Europa and Conference League seasons and we're kicking things off with a check-in on qualifying.

We're through the 3rd qualifiying round across all three UEFA competitions and with the final hurdle racing towards us, we look at some of the best head-to-head matchups, what's at stake for big clubs, who's likely to be upset, and some of the best stories so far.

Finally, David'...

It's our very last World Cup podcast of the summer!

It's a bittersweet moment as we look back on 7 weeks of non stop football. Thank you to everyone who's listened!

We use this show as an opportunity to reflect on the tournament as a whole, beginning with a wide ranging discussion on the future of international football, including whether Spain and France are destined to dominate future tournaments and a potential crossroads for So...

Spain are your 2026 World Cup champions!

We're talking all about Spain's 1-0 extra time triumph over holders Argentina, including Argentina's negative approach, their lack of chances and poor behavior postgame, and how Spain once again controlled all facets of the game.

Additionally, we debate each side's place among the pantheon of great international sides, as well as Golden Boot-winner Rodri's place among the pantheon of great m...

The World Cup final kicks off tomorrow, and we're breaking it all down for you on our Spain-Argentina preview!

We begin revisiting each nation's World Cup pasts and what's at stake for each in the historical pantheon.

We also discuss the country's relationships to one another. Though they've only previously played once at a World Cup, they are steeped in shared culture and footballing history, including Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, an...