On this week’s show Damon and Damian discuss some of the news related to the Champions League (CL) groups, which were announced last Thursday. There are also some football phrases discussed, related to penalties and the awarding of yellow and red cards – harsh and clear cut. The show finishes with a look at three of the big games in the Premier League in week 3 of the season. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learning English Through Football Podcast: CL Groups

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DB: You are listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hi everyone. My name’s Damon and I’m back in Tokyo after meeting up with Damian last week in London. Damian is now in France, but I’m hoping he is at the other end of the line. Damian, how is Paris?

DF: Paris is fantastic – the weather is bright and sunny and the city is loving their team PSG and their new star Neymar Jr. We saw lots of fans wearing his shirt name on Friday night as they travelled out to the stadium for the game against St Etiennne which they won comfortably 3-0. And how about Tokyo?

DB: The summer heat is still here but at least the sun is shining and there has been lots of football to enjoy. Now, you might not want to hear this question, but you went to see your team Spurs versus Chelsea last weekend. Tottenham have moved to Wembley as they build their new stadium, can you tell us how it was watching them playing in a different ground?

DF: It’s not White Hart Lane so although the atmosphere was great – there were over 75.000 fans there – I didn’t feel it was as good as our old ground. That could be because of the fact we were very high up making the view rather distant – and of course the defeat! I have posted some photos which you can see on our Instagram account. Ok, now, let’s get started with the show. Damon, what are we going to be talking about this week?

Line up

DB: Well, Damian, it was the week when the Champions League play-off games finished and the groups were decided, so we’ll take a quick look at that in our good, bad and ugly section – the part of the show when we look at the footballing news – and after that, we have a couple of football phrases that you might hear when discussing penalties and yellow and red cards – and they are clear cut and harsh.

DF: OK, and have we got predictions this week?

DB: Yes we do. I can tell you that you are leading the predictions battle with 15 points after two weeks with Johnny Magicboots second on 13 followed by HP Sauce on 12 – I’m not even on the leader board! Anyway, we have three games to talk about, including Liverpool against Arsenal – which kicks off in a few hours. There’s usually goals in this one!

You are listening to Languagecaster.com (in Korean)

DF: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and remember, if you want to contact us just come along to languagecaster.com. You can contact us through

This week both Damon and Damian are in London and they recorded this week’s show from a rainy London cafe – complete with background noise! It’s Week 2 of the Premier League season and on today’s show we look back at some of the big football news from the week featuring Liverpool and Ronaldo and look ahead to some of the games taking place this weekend including a big London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learning English Through Football Podcast: 2017-18: Tottenham vs Chelsea

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DF: You are listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hello everybody, my name’s Damian and I’m sitting here in a very cold, miserable, rainy day in central London. Damon, how are you doing?

DB: I’m doing very well Damian. And it’s good to be here with you in London. Yes, I have come over to Europe and I’m having a wonderful time with this wonderful weather that er… you are blessed with. Yes, usually I’m in Tokyo talking to Damian here in London but today we are together.

DF: So Damon, since you’ve been over this… this week have you seen any football?

 

DB: Well yes, I did manage to see Liverpool play Hoffenheim in their first qualifying leg for the Champions League group stages which was honestly a good result for us. How about you? Are you going to watch any football this weekend?

DF: I am. I’ve got tickets to see Tottenham versus Chelsea – a big London derby – Tottenham’s…

DB: At Wembley, right?

DF: Yes, the first game at Wembley, so looking forward to that but a little nervous as well.

DB: Sounds good. Now what have we got on the show?

Line up

DF: Well, we are going to be looking ahead to some of the big games taking place in the Premier League this weekend, including that Tottenham-Chelsea game. And we’ll be looking back at some of the big football news in the good, the bad and the ugly.

Hello, I’m Tracey and I’m a Lowestoft Town FC fan – come on the Trawler Boys – and you are listening to Languagecaster.com.

Good

DB: OK, well let’s kick off with the good, the bad and the ugly.

DF: Right Damon what was good for you this week?

DB: Oh it’s got to be Liverpool-Hoffenheim, hasn’t it? 2-1. And what about Trent-Alexander, scoring his first ever Liverpool goal in his first Champions League game. A fantastic free-kick and a fantastic result – I’m happy with that. What about bad?

Bad

DF: Well, it wasn’t so good for Chelsea, was it…

DB: No, it wasn’t…

DF: …last weekend? No, they …they had two men sent off and they lost at home to Burnley – 3-2 – most people would have tipped Chelsea to have won that. And there seems to be a bad atmosphere around the club, what do you reckon?

Leagues across Europe kick off and this week’s podcast previews the start of the Premier League in England. This is our 11th year podcasting and we’re pretty sure we are the oldest football podcast out there (with the same hosts!). In the past week, we’ve found out the winners of the Women’s Euro 2017 competition and the Community Shield in England, and on the show, those news items are sure to be discussed. We’ll also be explaining some football words and phrases as usual – the phrase hand in a transfer request and another phrase connected with transfers, to down tools. And of course we’ll have predictions and a tricky quiz question. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Football Language Podcast: 2017-18 Premier League Kick Off!

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DB: Hello everyone, you are listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hiya, and welcome to our 11th season of podcasts, making us the oldest football podcast in the world – at least that’s what we think! Let us know if we’re wrong! Anyway, you have reached the football-language podcast for all those who love the beautiful game. My name’s Damon. I’m based in Tokyo – cloudy and rainy here today – and down the line is Damian in London. Hiya Damian, how are things?

DF: I’m good thanks Damon. Here in London we had sunshine today after a couple of days of really miserable weather: heavy rain, grey skies and it was really cold. Of course I’m looking forward to the new start to the 2017-18 Premier League season, which kicks off at the weekend. Right, now what have we got on the show.

Line up

DB: OK, well we will have a look at some of the football stories from the world of football at the beginning of the show in the good, the bad and the ugly section. We’ll follow that with a quick quiz question. And then?

DF: And then we’ve got a couple of football phrases connected with transfers – remember the transfer window is open until the end of August. Those phrases are ‘to hand in a transfer request‘ and ‘to down tools‘. And I’m also looking forward to starting our predictions competition this weekend, and so we’ll be taking a look at three of the ten games taking place in the Premier League.

DB: That’s right – we have 5 titles each, don’t we, so the 2017/18 season could be a decider! Can we also give our overall predictions for the season – Champions and relegated teams?

DF: Oh go on then!

DF: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that was in French. Remember if you come our site, languagecaster.com,

Welcome back to the new season of football language podcasts from Languagecaster – this is our 11th year. This weekend sees the start of some of the European football leagues, the Community Shield in England and of course the final of the Women’s European Championship in the Netherlands and we’ll be looking ahead to those games in this week’s show. We’ll also be explaining some football words and phrases – the verb to fancy, the phrase financial fair play and the nickname the Lionesses – asking a quiz question and of course talking about our predictions for the big games from this weekend. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Football Language Podcast: 2017 Women’s European Championship Final

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Transcript of the show

DF: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hello everyone and welcome back to a new season – our 11th – of football-language podcasts for all those who love the beautiful game. My name’s Damian and I’m here in London where the weather is bright and sunny. Hello Damon, how are things there in Tokyo?

DB: Hot, Damian. Very hot indeed, but it’s good to have the season to look forward to. Very exciting indeed! How are things over in London?

DF: Well, the mood here in east London is one of shock and anticipation. Shock as Usain Bolt was defeated last night in the final of the 100 metres at the World Athletics Championships taking place here in Stratford.

DB: And anticipation?

DF: Well, the 2017-18 football season is almost here and fans up and down the country are hoping that their team can do better than last year. I wonder whether that will be the case for our teams Damon? What do you think of Liverpool’s chances this season?

DB: There’s no reason they can’t do well. I like their their new signing Salah, but maybe they lack a little bit in defence, so I’m guessing a 4th or 5th place finish. And what do you feel about Tottenham now they are an established top four side?

DF: Well, regular fans of the podcast will know that I am always a little pessimistic about Spurs’ chances and with the team playing their home games at Wembley Stadium this season and no signings having been made yet I don’t think there is any change there. I would be happy with a top four finish but I am also hopeful – there’s that word again – that they could spring a huge surprise and win the title for the first time in over 50 years.

DB: Yes, it’ll be interesting to see if Spurs can turn Wembley into a fortress,

The Confederation Cup final in Saint Petersburg, Russia took place this weekend between Germany and Chile and this week’s show looks at that game between the South American and World champions. We’ll also be explaining some football words and phrases, asking a quiz question and of course talking about our predictions for the big game. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: 2017 Confederation Cup Final

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DF: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hello everyone and welcome to the podcast for all those who love the beautiful game and want to improve their English skills. My name’s Damian and I’m here in London where the weather is warm and sunny, very warm indeed. Hello Damon, how are things in Tokyo?

DB:Very hot, Damian. I’m sitting outside, actually, at my workplace, so apologies for any noise, and it is baking!

DF: Wow! Now Damon, last week we talked a little bit about the World Cup warm-up competition that is the Confederations Cup, which took place in Russia and of course the final was on last weekend.

DB: Yes, well done to Germany on winning that title and we’ll be talking more about that game later on in the show. What else do we have on this week’s podcast?

Line up

DF: Well, we will start with a review of the football stories from the week in the good, the bad and the ugly. Then we will have a quiz question connected to the Confederations Cup followed by some of our listeners’ posts and questions. We then explain a couple of football-language phrases from the week and then look look back at that Confederations Cup final between Chile and Germany.

DB: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that was in German. Right, what was good from the world of football this week?

Good

DF: Congratulations to Germany on winning the European U-21 Championship in Poland after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over favourites Spain, that was last Friday. Mitchell Weiser scored the winner for the Germans who won their second European U-21 title with a team that had lost many of its stars to the Confederations Cup squad. And talking of the Confederations Cup the Germans also won that title after defeating Chile 1-0 in St Petersburg. German football is in very good shape. Damon, what was bad in the football world this week?

Bad

DB: Penalty shoot-outs have never been England’s strong point – the senior team has lost seven of them, winning only one, while the women’s team has also lost three times in major tournaments with no wins. The U-21 side has managed to win once on penalties but they were defeated last week by German opposition in the semi-finals to ensure more penalty heartbreak for England.

How about ugly?

Ugly

DF: Well, it is the summer break here in Europe and the transfer window has now o...

The 2016-17 European football season reached its climax a couple of weeks ago with the Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid and on this week’s show we will be looking back at that game, as well as rounding up some of the big stories from the football world. We’ll be explaining some football words and phrases, asking a quiz question and of course talking about our predictions for the big game. There is also a transcript for those who wish to practise their reading and listening skills (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: Champions League Final 2017

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DF: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hello everyone. Welcome to the podcast for all those who love the beautiful game and want to improve their English skills. My name’s Damian and I’m here in a cloudy and cool London which is a bit of a relief after the mini heatwave we’ve had this week. Hopefully Damon is on the other end of the line in Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Damon, how are things and how is the weather there?

DB: Hi Damian, well it’s June, so that means it is the rainy season and the weather is living up to that name – grey, rainy and humid. Now, it’s been a while since our last podcast, what have you been up to?

DF: Yes, well, we have to apologise for the delay in releasing this podcast – I actually was putting the show together the day after the Champions League final when my computer crashed so here we are three weeks later with a little more perspective on the big game! I also have to say hello and apologise for the delay to Ahmed who contacted me through our Facebook page and he has been waiting patiently for the Champions League podcast to celebrate his favourite team’s win. Of course, he’s a Real Madrid fan.

DB: Well, hello Ahmed and to everyone else who listens to us – drop us a line at [email protected] to let us know what you think of the show.

DF: Damon, have you been watching any of the Confederation Cup football that’s taking place in Russia? A quick question for you – can you name the eight teams that are taking part in this World Cup warm-up?

DB: Well, I have to hold my hand up and admit that, no, I haven’t been watching any of the Confederations Cup – summer brings other temptations like rugby and the Lions tour and cricket with the Champions Trophy. And one eye has been on the under-21s competition in Europe. As for the teams, let me have a go – Russia, of course, New Zealand and Mexico, I did read about the physical nature of that clash, Portugal, Germany and Chile, now that’s six. What are the other two?

DF: Not a bad attempt Damon. The other two are Australia and Cameroon!

DB: I did know that! Right Damian, what’s on the show today?

Line up

DF: Well,

The season in England traditionally ends with the FA Cup final at Wembley. That’s the game we focus on in this end-of-season podcast. Read the transcript for the show in our post below (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: The FA Cup 2017

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DB: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hi everyone. Welcome to the podcast for all those who love the beautiful game and want to improve their English skills. My name’s Damon and I’m in a sunny Tokyo, but unfortunately I will not be able to watch the big game of the weekend, the FA Cup final, I can’t find any TV channel here showing it!

Although it has changed over recent decades, yes I am that old, the FA Cup used to be an all day affair. As a kid, you would wake up in the morning and watch interviews with the players in their hotel, watch them playing golf, find out interesting things about the team and players; then you’d get coverage of the fans walking to Wembley and then the stadium gradually filling up; the game itself then took place – and the result REALLY meant something. It was a big piece of silverware to win! After the game, what then? Well, you’d run down to the school playing field, meet your mates and replay the game! Great stuff.

Not quite the same now, with the Premier League and Champions League taking most of the glory, but the FA Cup Final is still part of the English football season.

Line up

Now, we haven’t got Damian on the show today, but we will have a quick look at some football news from last week, a quiz question and a bit of English for football language – oh yes, and a look at the FA Cup final teams.

Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that message was in Welsh. We’re always looking for other languages, so if you could say ‘you are listening to languagecaster.com’ in your language just send it on to us here at [email protected] and we’ll add it to the show!

OK, let’s start the good, the bad and the ugly section with some good news.

Good

DB: Congratulations to Manchester United who became Europa League champions after beating Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm. Ajax could find no way past a well organised Manchester side, and an early goal helped the Red Devils take control. The final was somewhat overshadowed at home by the suicide bombing at a concert venue in Manchester, and it must have been difficult for both teams to play this game. Manchester United have now added this title to their trophy cabinet, it’s the first time they’ve won it, and with the League Cup next to it from this season,

2016-17 Last day of the Season: It’s the last weekend of the Premier League season and we take a look at some of the big games taking place this Sunday – with Champions League places up for grabs. We also explain some football language including the phrase ‘a no-look pass‘ and we have some predictions from those final matches of the season.  Of course you can read the transcript for the show in our post below (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: 2016-17 Last Day of the Season

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DB: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hi everyone. Welcome to the podcast for all those who love the beautiful game and want to improve their English skills. My name’s Damon and I’m in Tokyo, which today has seen glorious sunshine and there’s more promised over the next few days. Now, down the line is Damian in London. Damian, how are things Europe way?

DF: Hello Damon, good to hear from you. It’s a sunny day here today in London for the final day of the season; now, I’ve just posted a photo of the London version of the languagecaster balcony – and despite not being the most exciting end of season we are all looking forward to it. Damon, are you nervous about the Liverpool game today?

Getting ready for the last game of the season podcast.

A post shared by Learn English Through Football (@languagecaster) on May 21, 2017 at 1:49am PDT

DB: I am very, very nervous. This could be a horrible way to end the season if we slip against Middlesbrough and drop out of the top four at the last hurdle. I’ll be watching through my fingers.

Line up

DF: Don’t worry Damon! And of course we’ll be featuring that game in our predictions battle later on in the show. Damon, what’s on the rest of the show today?

DB: Well, we’ll follow our usual format with three main sections: a review of some of the footballing news to start, followed by some football phrases that we will explain and finally our predictions for the weekend – and, as you said, we will feature Liverpool’s game and the other two games that can affect the race for the Champions League spots in the Premier League. Now, in between those three sections we will have a quiz question and some information on how to get in touch with us or see what we are up to!

DF: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that message was in Irish. Now, if you would like to record the message “You are listening to languagecaster” in your language then just send it on to us here at [email protected].

DB: OK,

Two more weekends of the Premier League to go and there is still much to play for at the top and the bottom of the tables. But that’s in the men’s game; the women have also been busy with a spring series and the Women’s FA Cup in England and we’ll be looking at that game too in this week’s show. We also explain some football language including the phrase ‘to go through a player‘ and of course we have some predictions.  Of course you can read the transcript for the show in our post below (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: 2017 Women’s FA Cup

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Transcript of the show

DF: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hi everyone. Welcome to the show for all lovers of football and those wanting to sharpen up their English-language skills. My name’s Damian and I’m based in London where the weather is slowly warming up as summer approaches. Damon, of course, is in Tokyo, Japan but he is not with us today but will be back again next week. Now, apologies for the delay in this week’s podcast but both of us have been super busy at work but again we hope we return in our usual Saturday morning slot next weekend which will of course be the final game in this season‘s English Premier League.

Line up

DF: Of course, we know that Chelsea are now the new Champions of England, while we also know that the women’s game in England has been busy too recently – more on those stories later in the show in our good, the bad and the ugly section. After that, we’ve got a few football phrases to talk about, we have a quiz question, and three games in our regular predictions section.

DF: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that message was in German. Now, if you would like to record the message “You are listening to languagecaster” in your language then just send it on to us here at [email protected].

DF: OK, let’s start the good, the bad and the ugly section with some good news.

Good

DF: Well, it was very good for Manchester City as they win the FA Cup in fine style with a 4-1 victory over Birmingham. They are also doing well in the Spring Series lying second behind Liverpool in the nine-team competition. I am, of course, talking about Manchester City’s women’s team not their male counterparts. The victory in the FA Cup, played at Wembley in front of over 35,000 fans, means that Manchester City hold all three domestic trophies: the Women’s Super League, the Women’s Super League Cup, and now the FA Cup. Well done Manchester City!

DF: I suppose before we move to bad, we should also say well done to Chelsea for clinching the title and to Real Madrid and Juventus for getting through to the Champions League final earlier on last week.

Bad

Well a week or so ago we congratulated some south coast teams on their promotions – Plymouth, Portsmouth and Brighton. But is has been bad for teams from another region of England. From the north east or east of England: Sunderland, Middlesbrough and, last weekend, Hull City have all been relegated. What about ugly?

Ugly

DF: Well,

In this week’s show we focus on the race for the top four spots in the Premier league. These places secure a berth in the Champions League. So, we at the end of the show, for our predictions, we have three games all featuring teams fighting for third or fourth spot – Arsenal, manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. In our football language section, in the middle of the show, we have some phrases used to talk about the race for the title or the top four places, including to pip at the post and looking over their shoulder. And we start the show with news from the week of football related to the scramble for the last Champions League places. Read the transcript for the show in our post below (Damian = DF, Damon = DB).

Learn English Through Football Podcast: The Top Four Race

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Transcript of the show

DB: You’re listening to Languagecaster’s football-language podcast. Hello everyone, my name is Damon and I am back in Japan after a short trip to China last week. Now, last week I couldn’t make the show because of that trip and this week, Damian is also tied up with work and can’t join us. Apologies! This is recorded after the Saturday round of games, too, and there were some big results there – Manchester City stuffing Crystal Palace 5-0, Hull losing at home and dropping in to the relegation zone, and of course on Friday night Tottenham falling to a 1-0 loss at West ham.

Line up

DB:, Now, on this week’s show we’ll be focusing on the final run in and the race for the third and fourth spots in the Premier League. It looks like Chelsea and Tottenham have sewn up first and second, with Tottenham still in with an outside chance of pipping Chelsea at the post – more on that phrase later. So, in our first section, we’ll have a few stories connected with the fight for the Champions League spots and the title. After that, we have two phrases that you may hear to describe the situation at this stage of the season – to pip at the post and looking over their shoulders. And we’ll finish with three games involving teams hoping to squeeze into the top four.

DB: Yes, you are listening to languagecaster.com and that message was in French. If you would like to record the message “You are listening to languagecaster” in your language then just send it on to us here at [email protected].

Good

DB: OK, I’m going to kick off with the good from last week and it was good for the top three teams in the Premier League who all won – Chelsea saw off a spirited Everton 3-0. Tottenham finally guaranteed a finish above their north London rivals Arsenal with a 2-0 derby win – the first time they will finish above the Gunners for over 20 years! And Liverpool clinched a 1-0 away win at Watford with an incredible Can overhead volley. What a cracker that was!

Bad

DB: Now, I’ve mentioned the top three sides won last weekend, but the two Manchester clubs will be rueing dropping points and passing...