He may not be a Canary for long but, the Argentine’s decision to stay in Norfolk last summer may be the single biggest catalyst for Norwich City’s Championship coronation this season … At first glance, you wouldn’t think Emi Buendia was hotly hunted by many… Read More »The Unassuming Genius of Emi Buendia
Across his illustrious CV, Roy Makaay’s lethal ability to strike the ball terrorised defences all over Europe but, it was his remarkable achievements at Deportivo La Coruña that are still remembered today. Cushioned volleys, neat finishes, audacious long-shots. You name it. He did it. The endless YouTube… Read More »Roy Makaay: The ‘Dutch Dynamite’ of Deportivo (1999-’03)
Ageing squads, misfiring players, hopeless finances. Is the age of La Liga domination by El Clasico’s Barcelona and Real Madrid coming to an abrupt end? Best clubs in the world? Two names instantly come into consideration, rolling off the tongue without a moment’s thought. How… Read More »Are We Seeing the End of the ‘El Clasico’ Dynasty in Spain?
A host nation, with no household names and having never won a World Cup match, reaches the 2002 World Cup Semi-Final. Was this journey for South Korea a fairy-tale, or something more sinister …? Forget 2018, the 2002 World Cup was the real tournament of… Read More »South Korea at the 2002 World Cup: A Tale of Dreams or Corruption?
Today, we speak about the wonderful goalkeeping talent of Jussi Jääskeläinen: a Finnish legend whose impact on Bolton’s long-gone glory days were as pivotal as anybody’s! During his generation, Jens Lehmann was reinforcing the ‘all goalkeepers are nutters’ stereotype at Arsenal, Cech and Van Der… Read More »Jussi Jääskeläinen: Big Sam’s Big Man (1997-2012)
Uefa Cup finalists. League Cup winners. FA Cup Semi-finalists. A seventh-placed Premier League finish… The mid-noughties were undoubtedly Middlesbrough’s finest years. But who was responsible for this success? England fans beware, Steve McClaren may receive praise in this article … that’s right, ‘The wally with… Read More »Middlesbrough’s European Dreamers (2004-06)
Pele’s 1000th goal. Maradona’s first Copa America. Messi’s only World Cup final. The Maracanã Stadium has been the host of history since its creation. We all want to be back. Sitting in your favourite stand, eating your favourite pie. The cathartic release of pointlessly screaming at… Read More »The Traumatic Beginnings of the Maracanã (1950)