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Hola!

Ahead of Croatia's meeting with Brazil tomorrow, here's one of my favourite Big Interview guests of all time, Croat legend Slaven Bilic.

He talks through the big personalties of Croatia's great France 98 squad - who finished third in the tournament - including Zvonimir Boban, Davor Suker, Alen Boksic and Robert Prosinecki.

Enjoy!

G

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Adios then, La Roja. Spain's World Cup unravelled on a sad night for this team and this observer. Before I left Education City, I'm sending you this report. If this is goodbye for the great Sergio Busquets, then - wow - it's been a pleasure. But maybe the Spain coach's addiction to his talents restricted La Roja this time in their attempts to break down a spirited opponent. Here's what I thought about the way it all ended - the regrets, the tears and the future for Spain.

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24 hours before they take on Morocco in the last 16, I recorded this about Spain. Here are the lessons Luis Enrique learned from a previous desert ordeal; what's behind a change in the response to this team from British media; and my responses to questions from our listeners.

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It's late, and it's been a crazy and I think embarrassing night for Spain - not because of the identity of the opponent who defeated them, but because of how they performed and the decisions they made.

Here's where I think it went wrong for this team and what they need to address if they are to recover from this loss. It's a long list.

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Hola!

Here's my view from the Spanish training camp on the eve of their decisive match against Japan this evening.

I'll talk you through my exchanges with Luis Enrique at the pre-match press conference and what I saw in front of me as I watched training from the bleachers.

Oh and a cameo from Andres Iniesta!

Enjoy

G

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Hola

In 2013, I wrote Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja's Historic Treble. I had behind-the-scenes access at all three tournaments - with the 2010 World Cup as the centrepiece - and used my insight to tell the story of the greatest achievement in the history of international football. This is my conversation with Neil White, co-founder of BackPage who published the book and believes it is the best title his company have released.

Enjoy

G

Buy Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja's Historic Treble

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Hola

Here's a short postscript to last night's episode, clarifying some of my thoughts on the match and chucking in a bit of Porridge for good measure!

Enjoy!

G

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Hola!

I recorded this not long after the final whistle at the Al Bayt stadium in Qatar.

It was a fascinating evening which ended with Germany rescuing a point against La Roja.

Here's my take on a high-level match with fierce pressing, high lines and lots of risk taking.

Enjoy

G

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I hope you enjoy hearing in the background to this report the fun the Spain players were having as I recorded during their training session. I hope also that you enjoy what sense I try to make of what I've seen, and from what I have heard from the coach Luis Enrique and players such as Dani Olmo. My guess is that we are in for a treat when Spain take on Germany. 

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What a night. It's late. I'm tired. Before I turn it in, here's my bulletin from Doha after an extraordinary opening performance from this young Spain team.

There is also a supporting cast that includes Iker Casillas and the great Brazilian No.9, Ronaldo. And Karen Carpenter. 

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