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What Are the Most Successful Football Clubs in the Balkans?
The Balkans is a region in Southeast Europe which boasts a combined area of 550,000 km² and an approximate population of 55 million people, and which takes its names from the Balkan Mountains that run through the center of Bulgaria into eastern Serbia and Slovenia. Although there is no universal agreement on the borders,…
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The Rebirth of Alavés: A Promising Start
Deportivo Alavés has been one of the pleasant surprises of the opening weeks of the campaign in Spain’s top-flight. The Vitoria-based team is emerging as one of the revelations of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. After securing their presence for another season in Spain’s top flight, Alavés are exceeding expectations with an extraordinary start to LaLiga…
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Overcoming a Global Powerhouse – The Charming Underdog Story of Christian Ilzer’s Sturm Graz
Following a 13-year wait to reclaim the title of domestic kingpins and loosen the Red Bull stranglehold on Austrian football, Sportklub Sturm Graz defied the odds to become a four-time Bundesliga champion in 2024. To lift your country’s elite league title is a privilege for any football team, but to dislodge the superpower of Salzburg…
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Marching on Together – How Leeds United Side Can Build for the Premier League
Up, Down and Back Again Since their relegation in 2004, Leeds United have often been seen as underachievers. Poor ownership, dire finances and plain old bad luck have seen them fall as far as League One, allowing their neighbours in Sheffield to take their place as the best team in Yorkshire. After a brief…
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What Does the Future Hold for Nottingam Forest?
Nottingham Forest have turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo, with statement victories over Manchester United and Newcastle. Yet there are those inside the Forest Ground who still hold former boss Steve Cooper in very high regard. Forest’s scattergun approach was always going to catch up with Cooper, a man who’d brought stability to a club…
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Thiago Motta’s Bologna: Daring to Dream at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
Having endured a gut-wrenching injury-time penalty equaliser against Serie A rivals Lecce, Thiago Motta’s Bologna FC 1909 improved to an impressive 22 points from 13 domestic outings, extending a run that has seen the side climb to sixth in Italian football’s elite division. Dogged, tenacious and determined – but three of the words used to…
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The Flying Eagles: The Story of Albania’s EURO 2024 Run
When Albania manager Sylvinho was asked about the upcoming games that could see the team reach their second-ever EUROs, he said bluntly; “There are three finals ahead of us.” Truer words couldn’t have been spoken. Just three years prior, Albania fell short of qualifying for the tournament in a group that included France and Turkiye. This…
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Portsmouth FC: The Sleeping Giant Finally Awaking
Today’s generation would never know about the status Portsmouth hold in the history of English football. From Harry Redknapp’s wheeling and dealing on the south coast to the classic big man little man duo of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, the Fratton Park stands have seen it all. Now, the current generation will know…
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The Real Work Now Starts for Steve Clarke as Euro 2024 Awaits
Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare thanks to Spain’s 1-0 victory over Norway. It’s been a memorable European qualification campaign for Steve Clarke’s men picking up wins against Spain and coming back from a goal down against Norway away from home scoring two in the last two minutes to snatch the…
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Analyzing Leicester City’s Sensational Return to Life in the Championship
Leicester City are not wallowing in self-pity this season. Back in the Championship after a scarcely believable trophy-laden decade in the top flight, they’ve made a record-breaking start to life in the second tier. Under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, Leicester aren’t afraid of expectation. A star-studded squad packed to the brim with Premier…
