Articles
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Dinamo Zagreb: The Most Underrated Academy in Europe
Winning 13 out of the last 14 Croatian top-flight league titles, Dinamo Zagreb have continually impressed since taking back the mantle as the Balkan nation’s top dogs in 2005. Now regularly featuring in the Champions League group stages, the Croatian powerhouse have begun to force their way into the European elite, highlighted this season…
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Thomas Frank: The Unknown Danish Manager taking Brentford to New Heights
Denmark, a Nordic country that has seen years of talented footballers along the way. From the Laudrup brothers to Christian Eriksen, it has been a nation that has consistently produced magnificent players of the highest quality. However, when have we ever witnessed that same excitement about a Danish manager? Perhaps our only recollection of…
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The Tragic Story of Wilfred Agbonavbare
An idol in Spain and a champion in Nigeria, ex Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare faced racism and prejudice throughout his seven years in Spain, before retiring at 31 years old due to a lack of teams that were willing to take a chance on him. After his retirement, the Lagos native settled in Madrid…
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How Burkina Faso Defied the Odds to Reach the 2013 AFCON Final
When sifting through the history of African football, rich in its moments of liberated passion and glory, there are many great unforgettable stories that come to mind. However, for many football fans, even those with an interest for football in a continent where these singular stories of splendour; so anomalous, so exhilarating, the story of…
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The Unheralded Magnificence of Sergio Busquets
“Watch the game you won’t see Busquets, but watch Busquets and you’ll see the game.” These types of frothy quotes attributed to Sergio Busquets are found in abundance. But with this one, there is something quite pertinent about what former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. “Watch the game you won’t see Busquets.” …
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Why the SPFL’s Two Best Strikers Can Have a Big Impact in a Top 5 League Next Season
Since leaving Celtic for Lyon in the summer of 2018, Moussa Dembélé has thrived at the Groupama Stadium, scoring 42 goals, contributing 13 assists, and validating the £19 million that Lyon paid for him just two years ago. His form has sparked interest from some of Europe’s best teams, showing that the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL)…
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Ghana, the Philippines and the Far East: Experiences of an Unknown English Coach Abroad
Swedish side Östersunds FK’s rise to stardom made headlines all across the planet. The 2010 season had seen the depleted club relegated to the fourth tier of Swedish football. The side, hailing from the subarctic city of the same name, sat in turmoil; crowds of a few hundred were the only ones present to see…
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Player Analysis: Kai Havertz
A mercurial talent, aged just 20, Kai Havertz has set the Bundesliga alight the last two seasons, scoring 20 goals in all competitions last term. He has followed that up this season, notching 15 so far. With the skill, flair and tenacity of the talent frequently produced in South America, twinned with the typical…
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West Bromwich Albion’s Three Degrees: Pioneers in English Football
At a time where the topic of racism in sport is more prevalent than ever before, it’s worth remembering some of the heroes who made football more acceptable and open than it was several decades ago. While the game is still marred by racism, even in England, it would’ve been worse had it not…
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Risk, Reward and International Competition: An Interview with Juventus Academy Silicon Valley General Manager Anders Perez
Anders Perez is the General Manager of Juventus Academy Silicon Valley. The club has an incredible tale, formed by immigrants in the height of the Baby Boom and is now formally affiliated with one of the world’s true footballing superpowers. Robert Pratley spoke to Anders about this remarkable relationship and the future of youth…
