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Hola Big Interview listeners!

As you listen to this episode I am in the air, flying with the Spain squad to Moscow ahead of their knockout stage meeting with hosts Russia.

But, before I took off, I discussed the fallout from the group stage, focusing on fallen holders Germany. They are not the first team to lift the trophy only to fall at the first hurdle four years later ... in fact it has become a bit of a World Cup tradition.

I also take a look at another tournament favourite, Brazil, and their leading lights Philippe Coutinho and Neymar.

Dasvidanya!

Graham

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!

I asked our Socios to send me more of their World Cup questions and many wanted to discuss the role of the media in Russia.

I tackle those questions in this special Q&A episode. From selecting my perfect punditry team to revealing what the Spanish media have made of La Roja's performances so far, I talk about it all. 

Thanks again to all of our wonderful Socios who sent me their questions.

Dasvidaniya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners! I am starting to turn my attention to the knockout stages of the World Cup and I am delighted that little Leo Messi has made it too. Just.

That was a nerve-shredding night in St Petersburg but victory over Nigeria was enough to take Argentina through. Messi played his part in that game - of course he did - and in this episode I take a closer look at his influence on this Argentinian team.

I also discuss a player who shone for their group rivals Croatia: Mateo Kovacic. The Real Madrid midfielder has hinted already that he could move on from the Bernabeu this summer, but how keen are Madrid to see him go? I give my views here.

Dasvidanya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

What a night! Again!

Here's another 3am diary - this time recorded from the plane from Kaliningrad to Krasnodar.

At the end of a long night, Graham makes the case for Iago Aspas, guardian of Spain's long unbeaten run and whose goal gave them Russia in Moscow and not Uruguay in Sochi. Is it time for Fernando Hierro to give the king of Celta Vigo a start? 

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners! And welcome to Kaliningrad, where Spain play Morocco in their final group match.

I flew here with La Roja yesterday and the players have really taken to the place. Why? Well, listen to this episode and I'll explain.

There was a greater energy when they trained last night, more noise and good humour, and the atmosphere in the squad is very positive ahead of their meeting with Morocco.

I believe that Spain will triumph and might even finish as group winners. I give my score prediction for the game and also reveal who I expect to be named in Fernando Hierro's starting XI.

Dasvidanya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

If you only read one article during this year’s World Cup, make it Patrick Jennings’ extensive piece on Russian football legend Lev Yashin. The image of the flat-capped goalkeeper will be everywhere this summer as part of the branding for Russia 2018. And his story is an epic tale which Jennings tells in a gripping piece of long-form journalism on the BBC website.

Built around an incredible interview with Yashin’s widow, Valentina, in the Moscow apartment she used to share with her late husband, Jennings tells the story of a man who was forced to flee from the Nazis as a young boy and ended up becoming the only goalkeeper in the history of the sport to win the Ballon D’or. Yashin was the original sweeper keeper.

But it is the format of the article as much as the content which sparkles. Created by a team of more than a dozen BBC journalists, the article shows what is possible in digital journalism. Built using the visual storytelling platform Shorthand, the piece is fully interactive, with accompanying archive photographic and video footage and a scrolling timeline.

Enjoy 

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit backpagepress.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!

I asked our Socios to send me more of their World Cup questions and theydefinitely didn't disappoint.

This time I focus on their questions about Spain and how they have been performing in Russia so far. From Thiago and Busquets to that burly striker of theirs Diego Costa, I give you my views on all of them. 

Thanks again to all of the wonderful Socios who sent me their questions, and especially those who recorded them - they feature on this podcast!

Dasvidaniya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!

I asked our marvellous Socios to send me more of your World Cup questions and, once again, they delivered big time.

In this episode I turn my attention away from Spain and tackle their questions about the other big stories in Russia. From surprise packages to Croatia and Sampaoli's problems with Argentina, I give my views on it all.

Thanks again to all of the wonderful Socios who sent me their questions, and especially those who recorded them - they feature on this podcast!

Dasvidaniya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

What a noise! My ears are still ringing from the atmosphere in Kazan last night, and not only because of the vuvuzelas.

So Spain won 1-0 and are now joint top go Group B ahead of their final match of the section against Morocco. But if you think that this tournament is working out well for Fernando Hierro's side, then think again.

Against Iran I saw things which left me concerned about Spain's chances in Russia. I talk about all of them in this podcast, recorded at 5am local time after we arrived back in Krasnodar, as well as revealing what the players and staff were saying after the game.

Dasvidanya!

Graham

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

If you’re a fan of football biographies, chances are you’ll have read Ruy Castro’s 2004 biography of Garrincha. It is an astonishing, idiosyncratic tale of a man who overcomes physical disability to win the World Cup and become one of the most iconic Brazilian footballers of all time. It is a bonkers story of a man who lost his virginity to a goat and fathered enough children to fill a football team and a subs bench. Brazil-based journalist Andrew Downie translated Castro’s book into English for its UK publication in 2004. This is his insight into one of the craziest football books ever written

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit backpagepress.substack.com