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Croatia’s Hopes, Ronaldo Controversy & a world first for the World Cup Draw
3 Plays18 days ago
Nick and Ken discuss the brilliant Luka Modric, Croatia’s chances at the World Cup along with a remarkable, quite suspicious, reprieve for Cristiano Ronaldo
the the greatest scandal in World Cup history, is Ken cleverer than Thierry Henry and we take a dive into African qualifiers Algeria, Mahrez and all. Plus a truly horrible result in Kenny's quiz.
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network.
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Transcript
Introduction and Setting the Tone
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're listening to Road to World Cup 26 podcast.
00:00:15
Ken Davies
I'm going to be this week too. Road to World Cup 26 podcast.
00:00:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yes.
00:00:19
Ken Davies
Oh yes.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the end of the week.
00:00:20
Ken Davies
It's the end of the week.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We always like to record these things at the on the end of the week and it's been a very, very busy week.
00:00:21
Ken Davies
always like to record these things happening on the end of the week. And it's been a very, very busy week.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're glad to get this out.
00:00:25
Ken Davies
So we're glad to get this out.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got ah a little drink here with me just to relax myself into a weekend of fine football.
00:00:26
Ken Davies
I've got ah a little drink here with me just to relax myself into a weekend of fine football.
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm looking at the marvellous sight of Kenny with a pipe in his mouth.
00:00:32
Ken Davies
And I'm looking at the marvellous sight of Kenny with a pphphon is male fo i hope that's but
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
At least I hope that's a pipe.
World Cup Anticipations and Ronaldo's Controversies
00:00:40
Ken Davies
It's It's podcast for you.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken, a very good day to you. How are you?
00:00:52
Ken Davies
cause it's been a long week hasn't it and it felt like a long week but i've been looking forward to this all week croatia in road to woke up twenty six it going to be exciting
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be very exciting.
00:01:01
Ken Davies
it's gonna be very exciting and we've got a great we without pax podcasts for you because it's some great work companies
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we've got a great, we've got a packed podcast for you because we've got some great World Cup news. Some interesting stuff going on.
00:01:06
Ken Davies
some interesting stuff going on of course it's the draw next week, so we know now know that England and others are going to be kept apart we're going to come to that in a bit.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, it's the draw next week. So we know now know that England and others are going to be kept apart. We're going to come to that in a bit. This amazing story that's happened this week around Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:01:15
Ken Davies
This amazing story that's happened this week around Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, truly mind-boggling.
00:01:21
Ken Davies
I mean, truly mind-boggling, but in every conceivable way possible, not remotely surprising.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in every conceivable way possible, Not remotely surprising. So we'll come to that in just a little while.
00:01:33
Ken Davies
So we'll come to that in just a while.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as Ken says, we're going take a deep dive into Croatia starring the genius, the football genius.
00:01:36
Ken Davies
And as Ken says, we're going to take a deep dive into Croatia, starring genius, the football genius.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't mean you, Ken.
00:01:41
Ken Davies
No, I don't mean you, Ken.
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean Luka Modric.
00:01:42
Ken Davies
I mean Luka Modric.
Croatia's World Cup Prospects and Key Players
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll have a look at Modric.
00:01:44
Ken Davies
What a player. So we'll have a look at Modric, we'll have look at Croatia.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll a look at Croatia.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
they've They've got a really good kind of pedigree in the World Cup. So we're expecting good things of them, I'm sure.
00:01:48
Ken Davies
they They've got a really good kind of end of it in the world.
00:01:50
Ken Davies
So we're expecting good things off them, are you sure?
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will finish the podcast by predicting how they're going to get on.
00:01:54
Ken Davies
We'll finish the podcast by predicting how they're going to get on I feel quite confident about that one as well.
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But only after having a
00:01:59
Ken Davies
I feel feel quite confident about my prediction on this on Croatia.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, OK. Well, the pipe is out early, so you must be.
00:02:03
Ken Davies
Okay, well. the pipe is out early oh yeah in between all of that decline is creation the players and the coach and all that kind of stuff we will of course have everyone's favorite time of the week jeny's got your it didn't do very well last week one out three last week one out three no it's not going to cut it two out of three is acceptable one out of three is not is it it's almost as bad as your predictions in other podcast go
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
In between all of that deep dive into Croatia and the players the coach and all that kind of stuff, we will, of course, have everybody's favorite time the week, which is Kenny's quiz. Kenny's on a bad run of form, mate. You're on a bad run of form here. One out of three last week. One out of three the week before.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's almost as bad as your predictions in our other podcast, Daily Premier League, where we predicted all the Premier League games last week and Kane got three right.
00:02:29
Ken Davies
where we committed all of the game last week ke got three three not even schools was got that which is very over on
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not even the scores we're talking about, just talking about the overall result. Three right.
00:02:36
Ken Davies
alright I'm not happy about that.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, neither neither should you be.
00:02:39
Ken Davies
Neither should we be.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Neither should you be.
00:02:40
Ken Davies
Right, let's kick off showing with some World Cup news.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's kick off, shall we, with some World Cup news. And if you didn't think that politics had its grubby little fingers...
00:02:43
Ken Davies
And if you didn't think that politics had its grubby little fingers all over football, think again.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
all over football, think again.
00:02:51
Ken Davies
It always has.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because this extraordinary story with Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:02:52
Ken Davies
There's this extraordinary story Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, you remember, because we talked about this only a couple of weeks ago.
00:02:55
Ken Davies
Now, you remember, because we talked about this only a couple of weeks ago, it
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
fact, it might even have been last week, whereby Portugal had qualified. Hurrah. But the game before they qualified, when they played Republic of Ireland, Ronaldo was sent off for violent conduct.
00:03:08
Ken Davies
now sense He was. For violent conduct. Yeah.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's a straight red.
00:03:12
Ken Davies
So it's a straight man.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's a an automatic one-game ban, which is always...
00:03:13
Ken Davies
An automatic one-game ban, which is... Normally... Yeah, three games.
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, three games. Yeah, so it's normally extended into three games.
00:03:19
Ken Davies
Yeah, so it's normally extended into three games.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that would put him out.
00:03:21
Ken Davies
So that would put him out.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
is The first game ban already happened in their final qualifier, but that would mean that the other two, he would miss the first two qualifying games, or sorry, the group games, rather, of the World Cup next year.
00:03:24
Ken Davies
is The first game ban already happened in their final qualifier, but that would mean that the other two, he would miss the first two qualifying games, or sorry, the group games, rather, of the World Cup next year.
00:03:36
Ken Davies
By which time they could be
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And by the...
FIFA's Decision: Politics or Fair Play?
00:03:38
Ken Davies
eliminated.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, this is it.
00:03:38
Ken Davies
this is it by twenty about a third plus will might be out that' be for
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
By the time you get around to the third game, Portugal might be out. That might be it for Ronaldo.
00:03:43
Ken Davies
yep
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
This surely can't happen, said the footballing gods.
00:03:44
Ken Davies
This surely can't happen, said the footballing gods.
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well...
00:03:48
Ken Davies
Well, in a strange turn of events, Ronaldo had dinner with Donald Trump a few days ago.
00:03:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
In a strange turn of events, Ronaldo had dinner with Donald Trump a few days ago. And following that dinner with Donald Trump, hot came the news that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee had decided to suspend the ban on his last two games, therefore leaving him eligible to play in the first two games World Cup.
00:03:59
Ken Davies
And following that dinner with Donald Trump, came the news that the fifa discipline theoryary triity and decided to suspend the ban of his last two games therefore leaving in eligible to play first little cup now
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
now
00:04:17
Ken Davies
That's a disgrace, isn't it?
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
in in a broader sense in it In a broader sense, it's great news because it means we get to see Ronaldo and that's all we want you know what we want to do.
00:04:20
Ken Davies
In a broader sense, it's great news because it means we get to see that. It's disgraceful. too But in every one of the things, it's an absolute disgrace.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in every other way, it's an absolute disgrace. It's a complete and utter shambles.
00:04:29
Ken Davies
if you could like If I could like Cristiano Ronaldo less, which is unlikely, this is just put the cherry on the icing on the Ronaldo cake for me.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I am the other way around.
00:04:41
Ken Davies
well the other way around i love the guy because i see great
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love the guy. I think he's absolutely brilliant. And I love everything about him.
00:04:44
Ken Davies
and now it is so funny that he met trump
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's so funny that he met Trump, who, let's face it, is running this World Cup.
00:04:52
Ken Davies
as well.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
no don't No mind about a FIFA anymore.
00:04:53
Ken Davies
Well, him and Infantino are quite close, aren't they?
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:04:55
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah. less But the what Trump says goes.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But what Trump says goes. I think we've already seen that with a few decisions already.
00:04:58
Ken Davies
I've already seen that.
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Infantino is just puppet on a string, standing next to him at the Oval Office, grinning inanely.
00:05:01
Ken Davies
Infantino was just puppet on the street standing next to him and was grinning a nail.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for him to have dinner with Trump, and then a few days later, FIFA committee come out and go, oh yeah, you know what?
00:05:05
Ken Davies
and For him have dealing with Trump and then few days later FIFA committee come in and go, oh yeah, know what?
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll do something. Let's do something that never, ever...
00:05:11
Ken Davies
Bango's your World Cup accreditation, by the way. Can I just point out, Mr. Infantino Gianni, I don't subscribe to that. I think you're thinking doing a great job
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
As I was saying, ah as I was saying, now, FIFA, my point, I've dug this out, i've I've kind of done as much research as i can on this.
00:05:24
Ken Davies
As I was saying, now, for my point, me I've done this, i've I've kind of done as much research as can.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are two other cases in previous times where they have kind of suspended sentences, but they are for kind of really minor offenses.
00:05:32
Ken Davies
There were two other cases in previous times where they have kind of suspended sentences. but they offer for kind of really minor offensives like one of the is for a club sorry for country is
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like one of them is for a club, sorry, for a country whose fans have been, I think it was either racist abuse or violence.
00:05:43
Ken Davies
fans have been think it's only racist piece of violence
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they'd kind of banned them and then and then it made a couple of the years games or whatever suspended.
00:05:47
Ken Davies
they kind of banned over then and then made up of the years
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think one was just for a bad a misregistration of a player.
00:05:55
Ken Davies
of the player.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they probably played an illegible player or something like that.
00:05:56
Ken Davies
So they've probably played an illegible player or something like that.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing like violent conduct. Nothing as serious as that.
00:06:00
Ken Davies
Nothing like... And they're at team level. What we're talking about is a decision play made at player level, which is completely different and and unprecedented, really.
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Individual. Yeah.
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Totally, totally and utterly unprecedented.
00:06:12
Ken Davies
Totally, totally, absolutely. unprecedented
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although obviously by its very nature, if it's unprecedented, it is totally and utterly.
00:06:17
Ken Davies
although obviously sleep byiration if is unprecedented it is totally
00:06:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't get more unprecedented or less unprecedented.
00:06:20
Ken Davies
got to get more untrustful lessons. Yeah. But in it in a sense, because this has been sorted out by Trump, it's presidented.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's unprecedented.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good, Ken.
00:06:32
Ken Davies
Very good, Ken. Thank you. Very good, mate.
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good, mate.
00:06:34
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like that.
00:06:35
Ken Davies
like that.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So look.
00:06:35
Ken Davies
So, look, we love the World Cup.
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We love the World Cup. We love America.
00:06:39
Ken Davies
We love America.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
We love Donald Trump.
00:06:40
Ken Davies
We love Donald Trump.
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We love Ginny Infantino.
00:06:41
Ken Davies
We love G.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We love FIFA. We love all those things. But this is ridiculous.
00:06:44
Ken Davies
that bar this is ridiculous
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm really interested to know, because if I had any player heading into the World Cup with a ban hanging over their head, I'll be straight on the phone to FIFA and go, well, you've got to suspend it.
00:06:48
Ken Davies
and i'm really interested to know because if i had any player heading into the World Cup with a band hanging over their head, I'll be straight on the phone with FIFA and go, well, you've got to suspend Terrible, terrible precedent. I'll use that word again. But it is terrible precedent. In the sense of it is, you know, it's opening the door. Open the floodgates.
00:07:09
Ken Davies
Once you make these kind of decisions you've never made before, you just open yourself. You're hostage to fortune.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the funny thing is, actually, if they were minded to, and I'm sure they're not, because the draw is next week, um and everybody will know who's in Portugal's group and we'll know who's England's group and Scotland know who's in their group.
00:07:15
Ken Davies
Well, the funny thing is, actually, if they were minded to, I'm sure they're not, because the draw is next week. um And everybody will know who's in Portugal's group. and We'll know who's England's group. Scotland will know who's in their group.
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they were minded to, they can actually take Portugal, whoever's in their group, take Portugal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and challenge this ruling.
00:07:26
Ken Davies
If they were minded to, they can actually take Portugal, whoever's in their group, take Portugal to the court of arbitration sport and challenge this ruling. I hope they dig.
00:07:37
Ken Davies
I really hope they dig. Because it's it's it's wrong, isn't it?
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
They won't. They won't because nobody will care.
00:07:39
Ken Davies
It's wrong. It's only been done because it's Ronaldo.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:07:41
Ken Davies
It's absolutely disgraceful.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:07:43
Ken Davies
course.
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
course is.
00:07:45
Ken Davies
close
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there you go.
00:07:46
Ken Davies
so there go ill just tell you to i promise you an extraordinary story Yeah, well, it is.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did tell you, promised you an extraordinary story on Ronaldo.
00:07:50
Ken Davies
It is. And it's shocking. And it's I hope they yeah sit in a dark room and just think about the kind of decisions they've made in their lives. All these people at FIFA have made that decision.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'm sure the I'm sure they're high-fiving each other and knowing that they've done exactly what they've been told to do.
00:08:00
Ken Davies
Unlikely. I'm sure they're high-fiving each other and knowing that they've done exactly what they've been talking about.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:08:06
Ken Davies
Yeah. Right.
World Cup Draw History and Croatia's Anthem
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
The other quick thing is, just looking ahead to the draw next week in news this week, or confirmation, I suppose, because we did we did expect this, is that the top four seeded countries will not be able to meet each other until the semi-finals, at least, for the first time in the tournament's history.
00:08:08
Ken Davies
The other quick thing is just looking ahead the draw next week in
00:08:14
Ken Davies
is that the top four seated countries will not be able to meet each other until the semi-finals at least. Wow. For the first time in the tournament's history.
00:08:26
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:08:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, we'd kind of heard this this might be happening here at Road to World Cup because we are well plugged in.
00:08:27
Ken Davies
Now, we've kind of heard this this might be happening here at Wags World Cup because we are well plugged in. Oh, yeah.
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's been confirmed this week.
00:08:32
Ken Davies
And it's been confirmed this week.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So FIFA announced that Spain, who are the first seeded,
00:08:34
Ken Davies
So FIFA announced that Spain, who are the first seed, the second seed, who are who, Ken?
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second seed, who or who can?
00:08:42
Ken Davies
Argentina.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct.
00:08:43
Ken Davies
Correct.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
The third seed, who or who can?
00:08:44
Ken Davies
The third seed, who are who, Ken? France.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the fourth seed, who or who can?
00:08:48
Ken Davies
correct and The fourth seed, however, who account?
00:08:51
Ken Davies
England.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct.
00:08:52
Ken Davies
Correct.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah will be essentially paired.
00:08:54
Ken Davies
Will be essentially paired.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Argentina and Spain will be paired in, placed into groups the opposite side of the draw, and likewise France and England.
00:08:56
Ken Davies
So Argentina and Spain will be paired in places of groups opposite side of the draw, and likewise France and England.
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what that means, England won't be able to meet either Spain or Argentina until the semifinals.
00:09:03
Ken Davies
So what that means, England won't able to meet either Spain or Argentina until the semifinals. Yeah.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if they ever come up against France, it won't be until the final.
00:09:10
Ken Davies
And if they ever come up against France, it won't be until the final. Suits me.
00:09:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this only applies if the countries, if they win their groups, if they don't win the groups, then it doesn't.
00:09:17
Ken Davies
This only applies if they win their groups. If they don't win their groups, then it doesn't.
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they're keep they're keeping the the top four seeds apart.
00:09:21
Ken Davies
But they're keeping me the top four seats... As separated as they possibly could.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and the most extraordinary thing about that is that i don't i I was just surprised to see England a fourth seed, really, but there we are.
00:09:27
Ken Davies
Yeah, the most extraordinary thing about that is that I was just surprised see England the fourth seat. Yeah.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:09:33
Ken Davies
Oh, wow. They're with fantastic qualification.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:36
Ken Davies
And they're ranked fourth, I think.
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:39
Ken Davies
Yeah. That's quite good that's quite good reasoning, then.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are they the fourth best? Are they the fourth best team in the world?
00:09:43
Ken Davies
Are they the fourth best team in the world? No. According to the rankings, rankings never lie, you know Nick. You know rankings like no one else.
00:09:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go and say it. Go and go and say it.
00:09:51
Ken Davies
Go on, say I just did. Kenny Bingo.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kenny, Kenny, bingo. Here we go. So there you go. so there's just a bit.
00:09:58
Ken Davies
So there you go.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so So things doing slightly differently next week.
00:09:59
Ken Davies
So there's just a bit of work-up news for you.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. OK. So that's a bit of World Cup news for you. Interesting stuff going on there.
00:10:03
Ken Davies
Interesting stuff going on there.
00:10:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's tap into our team of the week this week.
00:10:05
Ken Davies
Let's tap into our team of the week this week.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are going to the Balkans. We're going to a team and indeed a country that's fascinated me ever since all of the stuff that was going on throughout independence.
00:10:10
Ken Davies
a country that's fascinatingedly ever since all of the stuff that's going on throughout exp expensedi and that is
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is, of course, Croatia.
00:10:17
Ken Davies
course
00:10:22
Ken Davies
Judge.
00:10:39
Ken Davies
doge
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shake it ahead in the thumbs down, Ken.
00:10:41
Ken Davies
you can hand the songs down Yeah, dirge, wasn't It was a dirge. It was... What, it was going to, like, hip-hop something?
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but you you shook your head and put your thumbs down too quickly because in a minute, it really livens up.
00:10:51
Ken Davies
Yeah, it was. go to like hip hop or something
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, listen.
00:10:54
Ken Davies
is
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hang on. Listen, I'm fast forward it. I can't fast forward
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it doesn't really. It just kind of stays like that for a bit.
00:11:06
Ken Davies
Yeah, that is the slowest, most mournful. What's it called? Croatia the Boring?
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's called Our Beautiful Homeland.
00:11:14
Ken Davies
No, it's called Our Beautiful Home. ah My Lovely Horse.
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before you... Our Beautiful
00:11:21
Ken Davies
this's It's wonderful.
00:11:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Homeland. Now, here's a question for you.
00:11:23
Ken Davies
Here's a question for you.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
When was it composed?
00:11:24
Ken Davies
When it composed? 1996. Ooh, close.
00:11:28
Ken Davies
nineteen
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think?
00:11:29
Ken Davies
think
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh,
00:11:30
Ken Davies
ninety six
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
close.
00:11:34
Ken Davies
close
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're only out by about 100 million years. 1840. 1840.
00:11:38
Ken Davies
1840. How am I possibly going to get, what, 27? No, it was, it's, it's, it's, how I possibly going to know that?
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was composed in 1840 and it remained and it was always
00:11:48
Ken Davies
And, um, who was it written by? in some village in the Croatian mountains? Okay.
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken, this is interesting history.
00:11:55
Ken Davies
This is interesting. Okay. Okay.
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay So the music was composed in the 1840s.
00:11:57
Ken Davies
So the music was composed in the 1840s. Yeah.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:12:01
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:12:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It went through some kind of changes.
00:12:03
Ken Davies
It went through some kind of changes it and then in 1840,
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then in 1891, it was sung as the first unofficial anthem, national anthem.
00:12:07
Ken Davies
unofficial anthem national answer yeah okay so then when It going out the group stages of the national anthem championship.
00:12:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay And then... remained unofficial until about 1972, when, of course, it kind of, well, it was declared official and then it became official, obviously, following the independence in 1990.
00:12:16
Ken Davies
what of course
00:12:20
Ken Davies
became official officials in it became officially following the independence in nineteen so one that's interesting it is interesting history it's still a dirge of a national anthem if that is going out in the group stages of the national anthem championship
00:12:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, come on, that's interesting history.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, let's hope the team
00:12:35
Ken Davies
Well, let's hope
Croatia's Football Journey and Luka Modric's Role
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
does better.
00:12:36
Ken Davies
teams are fair.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken, tell us about Croatia and the World Cup.
00:12:36
Ken Davies
Can you tell us about Croatia and the ballpark? Okay. So what we've got, Croatia, the Valtreni, as they're known, which is Croatia for Blazers, only admitted, of course, into FIFA in 1994.
00:12:51
Ken Davies
Seems like they've been around for ages, but it's only started in 1994 because they were part of Yugoslavia before that. And they qualified for every World Cup they've been eligible in except 2010.
00:13:05
Ken Davies
Question for you, and I would jump ahead a little bit. So when they were first introduced, if you like, to FIFA, joined FIFA, they were ranked And this was the 15th of March 1994. By the 16th September 1998, ranking had they achieved?
00:13:17
Ken Davies
ah by the sixteenth of september ninety ninety eight what ranking have they achieved
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
65th.
00:13:27
Ken Davies
so It would be ridiculous. From 125th? want to think again about that?
00:13:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
sixty fifth You absolute clown.
00:13:35
Ken Davies
65th. Fourth. so they were... you absolutely i do though high i you know alex alexandered really
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I knew they were I knew they were high because they were highke cause i had a brilliant World Cup. And they've been they' kind of oscillated a bit.
00:13:45
Ken Davies
dad bring wake they kind of oscillating
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah They had a fantastic World Cup.
00:13:47
Ken Davies
fantastic will come They did. So, yeah, they were runners-up in 2018 in Russia, third place in 1998 in France, third place in the last one, Qatar. So think about it. The last two World Cups, they've come second and third, so pretty decent. Group stages in 2002 and 2006. Didn't qualify in 2010, as we mentioned. Group stages in 2014. They've had an excellent qualification.
00:14:14
Ken Davies
ah They played eight, as they all did. Won seven, drawn one. Only one was set away at Czechia. Scored 26 goals in that time, which is four more than England. You were considered dominant. Only conceded four. The last 10 games, won eight of them, including a 2-0 victory over France.
00:14:36
Ken Davies
5-1 victory over Czechia. It's a decent team. The only defeat in the last year it was their 2-0 loss to France in the return leg of the UEFA Nations League ah the nationsle ah quarterfinal. And then they lost five four on penalties in that game in France. So, fantastic fantastic pedigree really for for a team that's only entered FIFA, if you like, in 1994. Fantastic form. and ranked 10th in the world as we stand now, as they started 125th. They've been really in the top 15 ever since 1998, and they've never really dropped out of it. And the currently 10th, pretty average.
00:15:16
Ken Davies
And, yeah, one of the one of the better teams we will come across, I suspect.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so, yeah.
00:15:21
Ken Davies
think so, is it?
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so. Right, OK, before we have a look at the players then, Ken, why don't you bring us a word from one of our marvellous sponsors?
00:15:23
Ken Davies
right think Right, before we have a at the plays, can't, what if we're in this world for one our minds? Should i do that? you know what I have to do before i do that? have to reach over here and actually get the sheet out because we were recording the, probably weren't we earlier?
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
For goodness sake.
00:15:36
Ken Davies
And it's still in there. So what I'm going to is just remind you that if you're Zlatko Dalic of Croatia, he'll know it pays to get your team selection right.
00:15:48
Ken Davies
And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner. And we chose Zencastr because Zencastr makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience, wherever they may be.
00:16:00
Ken Davies
We should know this off my heart by now. It's like a little song, isn't it? So with 4K video recording, easy AI editing tools, and what, Nick?
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good podcasting stuff.
00:16:11
Ken Davies
Good podcasting stuff. No, top tier distribution tools all in one place. It shows how hard you listen to this. If you've got a story to tell...
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
i when when you're Hang on, hang on.
00:16:19
Ken Davies
Hang on, hang on.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you're reading this advert out, I'm taking a well-earned break, thank you very much, because I do most of the heavy lifting in this podcast.
00:16:20
Ken Davies
When you're reading this out, I'm taking it with a break. Yeah. Oh, behave yourself. So if you've got a story to tell, tell it with NCaster. Check the show notes for more details.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, we're going to have a look, as we do, at three key players for Croatia.
00:16:53
Ken Davies
I like the look of your whiskey.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's only one place to start. It's really nice.
00:16:56
Ken Davies
It's really nice. What is I'm not going to name the brand because, as they might say, three cups whiskey.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to name the brand because they might send me three bottles of whiskey, but it's a very nice Highland single malt.
00:17:00
Ken Davies
It's a very nice Highland single malt. Lafrogue.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's not Highland.
00:17:05
Ken Davies
No, that's not Highland. oh all right all right mr whiskey 1962 it's also it oh blimey what have i done what have i done okay sorry i love my highland logs i love well i quite like a lowland one oh yeah yeah the highland ones are much better than the lowland ones yeah they taste so many different yeah
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And it's also Lafroig, not Lafroig. it it's also larogue not la frog
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, don't start on that. I love my Highland malts. I quite like Alolan malt, but I prefer the Highland malts. And I'm a big... They are. They taste totally different. You're such a you're such a heathen.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Let's look at three key players for Croatia who are expecting to see great things of in the World Cup next year.
00:17:30
Ken Davies
let's look at three place for croutia who i expect to see crazy
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's only one place to start, really.
00:17:36
Ken Davies
there' one my salt yeah And that is one of the best players that graced at the world stage.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is one of the best players that has graced the world stage. You talk about Messi, you talk about Ronaldo.
00:17:42
Ken Davies
You talk about Messi, you talk about Real Madrid.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sitting in the group just below that is Luka Modric, who is an unbelievably talented footballer.
00:17:44
Ken Davies
Sitting in the group just below that is Luka Modric, who is an unbelievable Italian football player.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's 40 years old and he's still absolutely ripping it up on you know at the highest level in Italian football and indeed for Croatia on the world stage.
00:17:50
Ken Davies
He's 40 years old. I know, amazing. And he's still absolutely ripping it up at the highest level in Italian football and indeed for Croatia. He's incredibly fit though, isn't he? i mean, he used it he is an absolute physical specimen of an athlete.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:18:06
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, look, I always thought you were a physical specimen.
00:18:07
Ken Davies
i mean i always thought you were a physical speaker thank you very much
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah actually, you are. You are, just not in that way.
00:18:10
Ken Davies
you are just not in that way he's croous most capital for here yeah food like that drawcious
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's Croatia's most capped player. Yeah, put your pipe down. yeah Croatia's.
00:18:19
Ken Davies
Most cap player?
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's Croatia's most capped player of all time.
00:18:20
Ken Davies
I don't know. I'm guessing 194.
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
How many caps has he got?
00:18:23
Ken Davies
Is that Kenny's quiz? don't know i'm guessing hundred and ninety four
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anybody, shout out the answer at home. Early 194 caps for Croatia.
00:18:28
Ken Davies
under for cap
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Congratulations.
00:18:34
Ken Davies
thank you yeah kenny's quiz
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's not Kenny's.
00:18:37
Ken Davies
no that's long case because wo up the luck twenty years
00:18:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
because The World Cup will mark 20 years since his debut next year.
00:18:41
Ken Davies
since his debut this year
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's been a regular ever since he started playing for the international team 20 years ago.
00:18:43
Ken Davies
and he's been a regular ever since his started place the introduction twenty years ago
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Plays for AC Milan in Serie A these days, having played 394 games
00:18:48
Ken Davies
Place for AC Milan in Serie A these days has played 394 games for Real Madrid.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
for ra madrid And prior to that, for those of you who have good memories of the Premier League in England, 127 games for your favourite team, Ken, Tottenham.
00:18:55
Ken Davies
And prior to that, for those of you who have good memories of the Premier League in England, 127 games for your favourite team, Tottenham. if they were better with him.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Better than they are now, that's for sure.
00:19:06
Ken Davies
Better with him than they are now, that's for sure.
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the fifth.
00:19:08
Ken Davies
He's the fifth.
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've done some good maths here, by the way.
00:19:11
Ken Davies
I've done some good maths here.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is
00:19:14
Ken Davies
He's the...
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah the One, two, three, four, five. Yeah, fifth most...
00:19:20
Ken Davies
Nick why don't take your socks off no he's the fifth most cap player in world football is he and he will yeah who's the most cap player in world football not Ronaldo it's Ronaldo oh ok and he's going to get two more isn't he he's the second most cap player world football Pelé you should get this one Messi
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's the fifth most cap player in world football. And he will... Yeah. Who's the most cap player in world football?
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Ronaldo.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's the second most... Who's the second most cap player in world football?
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
You should get this one. No, it's Badr Al-Mutawah from Kuwait.
00:19:47
Ken Davies
No, it's Baner Al-Mutahwa from Kuwait. Oh, blimey. Sorry about that. Sorry, Banwa.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then it's Messi.
00:19:53
Ken Davies
Then it's Messi.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then it's um So Chin An from Malaysia.
00:19:55
Ken Davies
Then it's Sochin and from Malaysia.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then it's Modric.
00:19:58
Ken Davies
Then it's Modric.
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Modric is on 194.
00:19:59
Ken Davies
But Modric is on 194.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Malaysian chap's on 195.
00:20:01
Ken Davies
The Malaysian champ is on 195.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Messi's on 196.
00:20:03
Ken Davies
And Messi is on 196.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So certainly, if Modric turns up in the World Cup next year, he's going to beat the guy above him because the guy from Malaysia is not there.
00:20:05
Ken Davies
So, certainly, if Modric turns up the World Cup next year, he's going to beat the guy above him because the guy from Malaysia not there.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he might beat Messi.
00:20:13
Ken Davies
But he might be playing in a different competition.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't think so.
00:20:17
Ken Davies
thanks
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not when the World Cup's on.
00:20:19
Ken Davies
all council Yeah, maybe not.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be fair, do you get caps for friendlies, don't you?
00:20:21
Ken Davies
To be fair, you get caps for friendlies, don't you?
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you might he might win a couple of caps even before he starts the World Cup.
00:20:24
Ken Davies
So, might. Yeah. You might win a couple of caps even before he starts for a cup.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
anyway Anyway, also, if Croatia gets to semi-final, and this is where I was doing my maths, actually, to be fair.
00:20:32
Ken Davies
Also, if if Croatia gets semi-final, and this is where I was doing my maths, if he gets the semi-final, he will become the fifth
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he gets the semi-final, he will become the fifth oldest player ever to play in the World Cup.
00:20:41
Ken Davies
oldest player ever to play in the world cup
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, that record currently in fifth spot is Peter Shilton, who was 40 years and 292 days when he played against Italy in 1990 for the England goalkeeper.
00:20:43
Ken Davies
that record currently fifth spot is p young wow as it was forty years and two hundred night two days what he played against Italy in 1990 for the England goalkeeper.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Modric will surpass that if Croatia get to the semi-finals.
00:20:54
Ken Davies
Modric will surpass that if Coach gets the first. Who's the first, second and third in that?
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Old players.
00:20:59
Ken Davies
and Old place.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:21:01
Ken Davies
Right. Roger Miller, wasn't it?
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Roger Miller was up there.
00:21:03
Ken Davies
Roger Miller was up there.
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
we did We actually looked at this list not long ago didn't we?
00:21:05
Ken Davies
we did We actually looked at this. Yeah, i'm sure Roger Miller was a top one.
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because the Tunisian goalkeeper's up there.
00:21:08
Ken Davies
But he did see goalkeepers up there.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why we were looking at it. Can't think who the oldest one is.
00:21:11
Ken Davies
That's what we're looking at.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he was he was like 45 years old, wasn't he?
00:21:12
Ken Davies
Yeah, that's right. But like 45 years old, wasn't he?
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:21:15
Ken Davies
Yeah. Hope for me, yeah.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's ah think he was based in the middle East, from what i can remember.
00:21:17
Ken Davies
I think he was placed in the first. one
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, look, Modric has won the Champions League six times.
00:21:19
Ken Davies
So, look. Modric has won the Champions League six times.
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's won the Club World Cup six times.
00:21:23
Ken Davies
He's won the Club World Cup six times.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I was to go through all his personal achievements and his team achievements, this podcast would run on for several hours.
00:21:24
Ken Davies
If I was to go through all his personal achievements and his team achievements, this podcast would run on for several hours. And probably still will.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it just feels like that.
00:21:32
Ken Davies
and i good fifty It just feels like.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so I'll leave it there.
00:21:36
Ken Davies
And so I'll leave it there.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Suffice to say, he's one of the greatest players in the world.
00:21:39
Ken Davies
Suffice to say, he's one of the greatest players ever to grace the game.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, too a ever to grace the game without a shadow of a doubt.
00:21:42
Ken Davies
yeah to ex christ getting that shot now here before he fourteeneth septembers go be fourth war
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll be 40 in September, so he'll be 40 when the World Cup kicks off. And I really hope to see a lot of him.
00:21:49
Ken Davies
and um really hope to see a lot of them.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really do, because I love watching him play.
00:21:51
Ken Davies
I really do. I think you will.
Key Croatian Players and Coaching Strategies
00:21:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Player number two, then, is I've picked out is Josko Guardiola, who plays for Manchester City.
00:21:53
Ken Davies
Play number two there is I picked out is Josko Garniol who plays in Manchester City. Great defender.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great defender.
00:22:00
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great defender.
00:22:01
Ken Davies
Great defender.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
46 caps for Croatia.
00:22:02
Ken Davies
46 capital per HG.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a regulist at Man City he since he joined.
00:22:03
Ken Davies
He's a regular City City Joy.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rock solid.
00:22:06
Ken Davies
Rock solid.
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chips in with goals, which always helps.
00:22:07
Ken Davies
Chips in with goals which always helps.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He's only 23, so loads of football has come from him.
00:22:09
Ken Davies
um He's only 23 so there's loads of football to come from there.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had honour of gracing my fantasy football league team at the start of the season, although he's no longer in it.
00:22:15
Ken Davies
He had the honour of gracing my fans at the start the season. You kicked him out since. Have you dropped him since?
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he got injured, that's why.
00:22:23
Ken Davies
Yeah, he got injured. That's why. Yeah.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah got injured.
00:22:25
Ken Davies
No, he's a great player.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:25
Ken Davies
He is great player. And that never puts a foot wrong. And yeah, really rate him.
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:22:31
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So he's my number two player, player to look out for.
00:22:31
Ken Davies
So he's one of the two players to look out for.
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And my third player is one of the players he's widely considered to be one of the greatest ever wingers to play for Croatia.
00:22:34
Ken Davies
And my third player is one of the players, he's widely considered to be one of the great ever wingers to play for Croatia.
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's Ivan Perisic, who's got 150 caps for his country.
00:22:41
Ken Davies
And that's Ivan Perisic. Yeah. He's got 150 caps for this country.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been a mainstay in the team for well over 10 years now.
00:22:45
Ken Davies
He's been mainstay in the team for well over 10 years now.
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's still tearing it up.
00:22:48
Ken Davies
And he's still tearing it up.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's another one like Modric.
00:22:50
Ken Davies
He's another one, like Modric.
00:22:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, Modric is 40.
00:22:51
Ken Davies
Modric's 40, he's got 36.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
This guy's 36. He's still tearing it up at PSV.
00:22:53
Ken Davies
He's still tearing up PSV.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact, he scored the opening goal this week during the 4-1 demolition of Liverpool in the Champions League for PSV.
00:22:56
Ken Davies
In fact, he scored the opening goal this week during the 4-1 demolition of Liverpool in the Champions League for PSV.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's still got it.
00:23:04
Ken Davies
And he didn't look out of place on that pitch, did he? Me and you wouldn't have looked out of place on that pitch, mate.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Far from it. ah me i yeah i was going to say, I could tear it up against Liverpool, quite frankly.
00:23:10
Ken Davies
I mean, I could tear up this. You have to moan me against Liverpool, yeah. No, he is.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:14
Ken Davies
He's the vice-captain. Modric is the captain. Obviously, between them, about 500 caps.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, no, for sure.
00:23:20
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:23:21
Ken Davies
Oh, no, for sure.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
For sure.
00:23:22
Ken Davies
For sure. I mean, I remember him ripping England apart in the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018 in Russia.
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, I remember him ripping England apart in the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018 in Russia.
00:23:28
Ken Davies
He was sensational.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was sensational.
00:23:29
Ken Davies
He was. was a great player. Sensational and all that.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
sensational and all of that. So he also played for Tottenham, useful fact, between 2022 and 2024.
00:23:32
Ken Davies
But he also played for Tottenham. He's for facts. He played in 2022 and 2022.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah In 23, though, halfway through, he did his ACL.
00:23:37
Ken Davies
in twenty three those offer for three this is acl but the this top
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was the end of his Tottenham career. In the last couple of years, he has been kind of, and I think as he's recovered from that ACL, floated around a couple of clubs.
00:23:41
Ken Davies
in those couple of years he has been kind of, I think as he's recovered from that ACL, floated around a couple of clubs.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's brilliant to see him at PSV doing really, really well.
00:23:49
Ken Davies
But it's brilliant to see him at PSV, doing really well.
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:23:53
Ken Davies
I've got a little quiz question for you.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got quiz question for you. It's not Kenny's quiz, but it's a good quiz.
00:23:56
Ken Davies
Do have Kenny's quiz?
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a very good quiz question for you.
00:23:57
Ken Davies
It's a very good quiz. Go on.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Perisic,
00:23:59
Ken Davies
So Perisic also took part in an international competition in 2017
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
also took part in an international competition in 2017 in which sport?
00:24:08
Ken Davies
four which in which sport
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
In which sport did he play on the world tour in 2017?
00:24:14
Ken Davies
on the world tour in two thousand and seventeen
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. The answer is beach
00:24:18
Ken Davies
Golf.
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
volleyball.
00:24:20
Ken Davies
No. The answer is beach volleyball.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
beach
00:24:24
Ken Davies
Really?
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he played he played in the 2017 FIVB, which is the Beach Volleyball ah Federation, Beach Volleyball World Tour for the Porec Major Tournament, which is a professional competition with his partner Nixar Delocco.
00:24:26
Ken Davies
Yeah. He played in the 2017 FIVB, which is beach volume feathers virtual it' a world tool the for the Porich major it ored which is a professional competition with his father nissar del
00:24:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
They lost in the first round, not surprisingly.
00:24:41
Ken Davies
and they lost in industrial Useless. Useless. But no, that's so but that's but but well like that's a very interesting fact.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Useless, yeah. Yeah.
00:24:49
Ken Davies
That's kind of factoid we love on this podcast.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we do, don't we? It's all good. It's all good. I tell you, um I do a lot of research into this.
00:24:53
Ken Davies
I'll tell you, I i' do a lot of research on this. You do, bless you, yeah.
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Speaking of...
00:24:57
Ken Davies
But you've got a volleyball... i mean, your wife's into the volleyball thing, isn't she?
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, yeah, big time.
00:25:01
Ken Davies
Yeah, Right, so that's my three players.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Right, so that's my three players. I think I picked three great players out, Ken.
00:25:04
Ken Davies
I picked three great players in.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know whether you've got any... Would have any more to add, but I think they're three brilliant players for Croatia.
00:25:07
Ken Davies
more to The only one I've got written down who seems to be pretty influential for them is Duye Coleta-Kar, Real Sociedad defender.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm, yeah. Yep, fair do's.
00:25:17
Ken Davies
it looks He's very solid at the back. They don't concede many. He seems to be pulling the strings there. So, yeah, between Guardiola and Coleta-Kar, they're pretty well set up, really, aren't they?
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so, I think so.
00:25:29
Ken Davies
I think so. I think so what What sort formations do they play?
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
What what sort of formation do they play?
00:25:33
Ken Davies
Easy, standard. The one we always go to. Cheers. 4-2-3-1. The two big games they've played during the last year.
00:25:43
Ken Davies
ah France, when they won 2-0, they played a 4-2-3-1. Czechia, 0-0 away. 4-2-3-1. So I think we can look forward to this what's become the standard formation around the world. More than 50% of the teams play it.
00:25:56
Ken Davies
4-2-3-1. I won't go through the team. We've pretty much gone through it. But it's, ah yeah, that's what you can look forward to. forward to I'll put my house on it.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait for it. Wait for it.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That music can mean only one thing. It is everybody's favourite time of the week.
00:26:31
Ken Davies
it is everybody's co time of the week
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Kenny's Quiz.
00:26:35
Ken Davies
it's a qui I don't know anything about Croatia.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:26:39
Ken Davies
Nothing.
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
These are quite easy, I think.
00:26:41
Ken Davies
I hope so.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:26:44
Ken Davies
Well. two So two is two is considered a good score now, isn't it?
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, and i think I think you'll get two out of three.
00:26:49
Ken Davies
Yeah. oh i think I think you'll get two out of the three.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think you'll get...
00:26:51
Ken Davies
Come on. you'll get
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you get one out of three, I'll be a bit disappointed.
00:26:52
Ken Davies
but if you get one out of three ah theypointed okay If you get three out three, I'll be impressed.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you get three out three, I'll be impressed. I think two out three is more than achievable.
00:26:57
Ken Davies
I'll need two out of threes. More than two more.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So play along at home.
00:26:59
Ken Davies
So play along at home.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Kenny Squidders.
00:27:00
Ken Davies
It's Kenny's group.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Play along at home.
00:27:01
Ken Davies
Play along at home.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shout out the answers to your...
00:27:01
Ken Davies
Shout out the answers. Get your pipes out. on Get your pipes out.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, get pipes out.
00:27:04
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. Get your pipes out.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
like If you're watching us on Spotify or YouTube, you'll see Ken with his pipe in his mouth.
00:27:06
Ken Davies
If you're watching us on s Spotify or YouTube, you'll see Ken with his pipe. With his thinking pipe. The pipe of wisdom.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the pipe of something.
00:27:12
Ken Davies
support something
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first question in Kenny's quiz this week, all about cro Croatia, what is the national animal of Croatia?
00:27:14
Ken Davies
the first question in k's quiz this week all black ratio what is the national animal of croatia how every week every week we get we get what's the national ah animal of bloody saudi arabia of mexico with only the saudi arabia press oh yeah what's the national animal of croatia the national out what is what is there an animal that's only found in croatia no put on this let me give into
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, only only in the Saudi Arabia quiz.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:27:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, put it look put it like this. Let me give you a clue. A couple of weeks ago, I asked you during the Saudi Arabia quiz, we talked about the national and animal Saudi Arabia.
00:27:45
Ken Davies
couple of weeks ago last you the saudi arab because it what talks about the dust a sound great and he quite rapidly has guess It's the camel.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you quite rightly guessed it's the camel because it's pretty obvious.
00:27:52
Ken Davies
Yeah. And it's not, is it?
00:27:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So when it comes to the national animal of Croatia, hey, is a camel here?
00:27:55
Ken Davies
So when it comes to... Was it a camel? Was it camel? It is a camel. I don't actually think that was the quiz.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't actually think that was in the quiz. I think we just talked about it.
00:28:02
Ken Davies
I think we should talk about all right, right, right.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um When it comes to the national animal of Croatia,
00:28:04
Ken Davies
And when it comes to the national animal of Croatia, unless you know it, you've got no chance whatsoever of getting this right.
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unless you know it, you've got no chance whatsoever of getting this right. But give it...
00:28:12
Ken Davies
All right, I'm to go for it.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, hello.
00:28:13
Ken Davies
bird. Ooh, hello. Is it a bird?
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.
00:28:17
Ken Davies
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait minute.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait a minute.
00:28:20
Ken Davies
questions
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Should I give you a point for that?
00:28:22
Ken Davies
i give you a course Well, they half a point, maybe. No, it's not a bird.
00:28:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's not a bird there.
00:28:28
Ken Davies
It's not a bird.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:28:29
Ken Davies
Oh, no. Okay. It's okay it's the it's the Croatian mole.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's got four legs, so you're kind of halfway there.
00:28:36
Ken Davies
fifty Well, it's got four legs, so they're kind of halfway. Well, what is it? I've no idea.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye
00:28:43
Ken Davies
It's Croatian mole.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
The answer is, it is the European...
00:28:44
Ken Davies
The answer is it is the European...
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ready?
00:28:48
Ken Davies
Ready? Ready?
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the European Pine Martin.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm a bit disappointed didn't get that.
00:28:59
Ken Davies
You're bit disappointed I didn't get that.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because that was one of the easy...
00:29:01
Ken Davies
yeah You started this section by saying, this is quite easy. This is quite easy. Yeah, what's question two? What's its name?
00:29:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Okay.
00:29:12
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Question two.
00:29:14
Ken Davies
Question two.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Question two, I'll tell you, is your favorite time of the week, this people, isn't it?
00:29:17
Ken Davies
I'll tell you, here's your favourite time of the What Croatian former tennis player won Wimbledon in 2000?
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
at What Croatian former tennis player won Wimbledon in 2001? Come on. Everybody will notice because there's only been one Croatian player.
00:29:27
Ken Davies
everybody will know this only you want bloke bloke
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bloke. There's only been one Croatian player who's really hit the heights of this.
00:29:33
Ken Davies
there's only you one one creation player who's really hit the highest really popular really famous why am i thinking evan lendl but i don't get his land no know even know he and he wass check no it's not even la it's therefore croatian guy oh no it is on tip of my tongue actually really tall yeah but yeah so with m why am i getting an m no don't start with it
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Really popular, really famous.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're not. either no even Lendl. No, no. He was Swiss, wasn't he? Czech. No, he was Czech. He was Czech as a vacuum.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really tall.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, don't don't start with him.
00:30:02
Ken Davies
Richard Kly...
00:30:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, come on, Kenny. Come on. You can do this. You can picture him.
00:30:05
Ken Davies
Klycek? Krycek?
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
You just made that up, didn't you? Oh, do you mean Richard Krychek?
00:30:09
Ken Davies
Richard... Krycek? Richard Krycek?
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, do you mean Richard Krychek?
00:30:11
Ken Davies
Yeah. Oh, do you mean Richard Krycek?
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, it's not him, no.
00:30:13
Ken Davies
Yeah. No, it's not. I don't know then.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, mate, I thought you'd get it.
00:30:15
Ken Davies
The Eurasian Pine Martin.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:30:17
Ken Davies
The European Martin is probably good at things.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. he The European Pymarton is probably good at tennis, as good as you are, anyway.
00:30:22
Ken Davies
As good as you are, really. Yeah.
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah No, the answer is, and everybody will be shouting at their phones, radio, transistor radios, laptops, whatever they're doing, listening to this.
00:30:23
Ken Davies
ah No, the answer is... And everybody will be shouting at their phones, radio, transcripts.
00:30:31
Ken Davies
listen to this everybody everybody shout at me also
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everybody's shouting at the answer as being Goran Ivanishvich.
00:30:34
Ken Davies
as being gore and e Oh, no word, yeah.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and that's the answer.
00:30:38
Ken Davies
yeah Yeah. Gordon, he's an evening, east sweet chat.
00:30:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sorry, mate, I thought that was very gettable.
00:30:41
Ken Davies
I'm sorry, mate. I thought that very gettable. It was gettable. It was gettable.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I get the European pine mine, but as you know, national animals is one of my favourite topics.
00:30:45
Ken Davies
get the European pipeline, but as you know, National Islands is one of favourite topics. Well, I'm going to make a note of that for next time.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Well, you know this, animals or flags come up literally every week, don't they?
00:30:51
Ken Davies
You know this. Animals or flags come up. I know, they do. They do. They do. They do. So, yeah, Gordon, evening, sweet chat. That's fair enough. Should have got that. Nought of two. It's not going well.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not how to...
00:31:02
Ken Davies
I can't blank. I cannot blank. I never blank.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you, mate, firing blanks is what you do, so I've heard.
00:31:05
Ken Davies
farri blanks is what you do ah
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:31:08
Ken Davies
then
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
this is This is certainly getable.
00:31:10
Ken Davies
this is this iser getble um as um now You're seasoned traveler, aren't You go on a holiday all the time.
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would as um Now, you're a hardy, you're a seasoned traveller, aren't you? You go on holiday all the time. In fact, you're going away on Monday again, yet again.
00:31:17
Ken Davies
No. I'm going away on Monday. am.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yet again, we're going to have be doing this podcast next week when you're in Grand Canaria.
00:31:21
Ken Davies
Yes, have to this podcast week. Oh, this can only mean one thing. How many countries boarded Croatia? Do you know the answer that?
00:31:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know the answer to that?
00:31:31
Ken Davies
No, I don't. But what's the question?
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a shame. ah should have put that in there, shouldn't I?
00:31:33
Ken Davies
What's the question?
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
The question is Croatia's coast lies entirely on what sea
00:31:34
Ken Davies
Yeah. The question is, Croatia's coast lies entirely on what sea?
00:31:42
Ken Davies
I would say the Adriatic with some confidence. Yeah.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He saved himself.
00:31:49
Ken Davies
so hea i thought it was et question what you
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
he so I thought that was the easiest question. I thought you'd get it. and
00:31:53
Ken Davies
yeah
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, yeah, you're good at no but you're good at that, Conning.
00:31:55
Ken Davies
Well, I thought some people might say the Mediterranean, but... Yeah, you're at problem. yeah. i mean So wanted to throw one in there just so you didn give it.
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I wanted to throw one in there just so you didn't get zero out of three.
00:32:01
Ken Davies
Thanks. Thank you for doing that.
00:32:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done, mate.
00:32:04
Ken Davies
No, no, mate. I feel I have to be on the table there with Goran Ivanovic.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:32:09
Ken Davies
The Pine Martin thing was just random.
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the European pine, Martin.
00:32:13
Ken Davies
the european one oh Sorry, yeah, apologies, Mr.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pine Martins around the world are listening to this, you and going, not me, mate, not me.
00:32:17
Ken Davies
Pine Martin. words Yeah, yeah. Yeah, the African Pine Martin.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the African Martins are going, it's not.
00:32:22
Ken Davies
so don't Don't involve us in that. Nothing to do with us.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly that.
00:32:26
Ken Davies
Yeah, no, thanks thanks for that. it's It's a fact I'll take away and, well, throw in the bin straight after this.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:32:34
Ken Davies
and Right.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Before we move on and spend 30 seconds talking about Zlato Dalic, who is the Croatian coach, Ken, a word from our sponsors, if you would.
00:32:36
Ken Davies
Before we move on and spend 30 seconds talking about Zlatko Danic, who's the Croatian coach, Ken, word from our sponsors if you would Oh, yeah. Bionique. Bionique, the Global Sports Podcast Network. That's part of it with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements because your body is unique. And because if you don't know what deficiencies you have, if you just take randomly off-the-shelf supplements, Nick, and you know no one wants to do that, you could be getting not enough of the stuff that you do need, maybe too much stuff you don't need. And nobody wants that. So Bionique provide 100% tailor-made supplements designed to deliver precisely, exactly what your body needs. So click on the link in the show notes. You can use the code for 40% off your first order.
00:33:22
Ken Davies
forty percent off your first order
00:33:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, now, I think I'm getting plenty of what I need right now because I'm enjoying this glass of whiskey.
00:33:38
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah. I think I'm getting plenty of what i need right now because I'm enjoying this last year.
00:33:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's very, very nice.
00:33:43
Ken Davies
Yeah, I need a drink after this.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think so.
00:33:46
Ken Davies
Yeah, I understand.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's have a look at Zlatko Dalic then.
00:33:47
Ken Davies
Right, let's have a look at Zlatko Dalic then.
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a Croatian former player.
00:33:50
Ken Davies
He's a Croatian former player. As they always are.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as they they normally are, yeah.
00:33:56
Ken Davies
They normally are, yeah.
00:33:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Been manager of the Croatia national team since 2017. And let's face it, as you alluded to a little bit early on, Ken, he's done a great job.
00:34:03
Ken Davies
he's done a great job outstanding job
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's done a great job. and
00:34:06
Ken Davies
and
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
As a player, he played mostly in kind of Croatian leagues and and then thereabouts as a defensive midfielder.
00:34:07
Ken Davies
as a play played mostly in chroniccorationion rate and and then thereabouts as afenive the fielder
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as a manager, he's led Croatia to second spot, third spot at the 2018 and 22 World Cups.
00:34:13
Ken Davies
But as a manager, he's led Croatia to his second spot, third spot at the 2018 and 22 World Cups.
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, hence the even if it had been time, you're not going to do much better that.
00:34:20
Ken Davies
Respectively, his qualifications for Europe 2020 and Europe 2024 has been regarded, quite rightly so, the greatest manager in the team's history.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, look, the this just a moment. in the team's history
00:34:31
Ken Davies
Well, it hasn't been that long, but you can't argue with that.
00:34:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
well hence the reason but even if it had been a long time
00:34:34
Ken Davies
Hence the reason, but even if had been. on time
00:34:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
you're you're not going to do much better than ah i mean look the question remains and we're going to come to this in just a moment
00:34:37
Ken Davies
yeah you're not going to do much better i mean the the question remains we'll going to come to this and just one
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will Croatia actually ever win either the Euros or the World Cup?
00:34:42
Ken Davies
will christ actually and wait the Euros or World Cup.
00:34:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because they've knocked on the door far more than teams like England have, who are kind of hi more, if you like, highly regarded.
00:34:46
Ken Davies
Because they've knocked on the door far more than teams like England who are kind of high more, if you like, highly regarded.
00:34:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've had a brilliant qualification qualification.
00:34:54
Ken Davies
They've had a brilliant qualification and I'm very keen to see what your prediction is.
00:34:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm very keen to see what your prediction is to see how they're getting on.
00:34:58
Ken Davies
So how we get it on.
00:34:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Dalic is very well regarded.
00:34:59
Ken Davies
But Dalic is very well regarded.
00:35:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a very good tactician.
00:35:01
Ken Davies
He's a very tactician.
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think, as we've seen, although he's got good players at his disposal, he knows how get the best out of them.
00:35:02
Ken Davies
And I think as we've seen, although he's got good players at his disposal, he knows how to get the best out of him.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And certainly, as we saw in the 2000...
00:35:07
Ken Davies
And certainly as we saw in the 2000, I know it's a long time ago, but keep going to it.
00:35:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's a long time ago, but I keep referring to it, because it's a game that sticks in my mind.
00:35:11
Ken Davies
So it's a game that sticks in my mind.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the 2018 World Cup semi-final, when Croatia beat England, he just out-tacticked us.
00:35:13
Ken Davies
But the 2018 World Cup semi-final, when Croatia beat England, he just out-taxed us. He did?
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He out-tacticked Gareth Southgate.
00:35:20
Ken Davies
He out-taxed Gareth Southgate. Well, that's not hard, is it? Let's be honest.
00:35:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's...
00:35:26
Ken Davies
it's not It's not exactly a badge of honour, is it?
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he still did it.
00:35:31
Ken Davies
But he still did.
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:35:32
Ken Davies
He still did it.
00:35:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And therefore, yeah, I think he's a great coach.
00:35:33
Ken Davies
And therefore, I think he's a great coach. Yeah, and he kind of came from nowhere because he didn't he wasn't managing huge teams or huge club teams.
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:35:43
Ken Davies
He he came through quite quietly but has done his a stunning job, Croatia.
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, very much so.
00:35:49
Ken Davies
Yeah, very much so.
00:35:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So with him in charge, i think they've always got chance.
00:35:50
Ken Davies
So with in charge, I think they've always got a Do you reckon this is the last chance of this golden generation though?
00:35:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really do. So that's Zlado Dalic. 100%.
00:35:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah hundred percent
00:35:58
Ken Davies
100%. Perisic, Modric, you know.
00:36:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll be Modric's last World Cup.
00:36:00
Ken Davies
It'll be Modric.
00:36:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll be Perisic's probably his last World Cup as well. So...
00:36:06
Ken Davies
Just a question before we get on to predictions. Who's the best Croat player you've ever seen in real life?
00:36:16
Ken Davies
Because Derby have had a few, haven't they?
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tell you who, and I'm just trying to think whether I saw Modric in real life.
00:36:18
Ken Davies
i' tell you who.
00:36:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I might have done, I don't know, it doesn't spring to mind. But let me tell you about two brilliant Croatian players who played for Derby.
00:36:22
Ken Davies
mark of editor the springs one but
00:36:25
Ken Davies
let me tell you about two brilliant <unk>ia play' a play for du
00:36:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
One was Igor Stimak and one was Alyosa Osanovic.
00:36:29
Ken Davies
One was Igor Stinach and one was Alyosha Serovich.
00:36:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Stimak, Derby sign, sorry, you've set me off on a little tangent here, but ao let's do it.
00:36:33
Ken Davies
Now, Stinach and Dalby signed... Sorry, you've set me off a little tangent here. Yeah, all right. That's why I did it. I was just seeing if you were going to fall into my trap.
00:36:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I've fallen into your trap very, very happily.
00:36:43
Ken Davies
Well, I've fallen into a trap very very happy with
00:36:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much. and Stim Hatch was signed for Derby when they were a second division side, so what is now known as the Championship, and which is the second tier of of English football.
00:36:47
Ken Davies
Stinach and signed for Dalby when they were a second division sign, so what is now known as the Cherokee Church, which is the second tier of English football.
00:36:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was around October time.
00:36:56
Ken Davies
And it was around October time, time
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were doing pretty badly in the league under Jim Smith, who was the new manager.
00:36:59
Ken Davies
We were doing pretty badly in the league, onto Jim Smith, who was the manager.
00:37:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he signed for us.
00:37:04
Ken Davies
He signed for us was a centre-half, played in a three as the sweeper.
00:37:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a centre-half, played in a three as the sweeper. And from the he scored on his debut, which was a 5-1 defeat by Tramier Rovers.
00:37:09
Ken Davies
He scored on his debut, which was a five one defeat by Tramia Robles.
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know.
00:37:16
Ken Davies
That's a low point.
00:37:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He scored the goal his debut in that 5-1 defeat.
00:37:18
Ken Davies
He scored the goal in that 5-1 defeat.
00:37:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And from that moment on, we went on a massive unbeaten run and got promoted.
00:37:22
Ken Davies
And from that moment on, we went on massive unbeaten run. He was fantastic. was fantastic player.
00:37:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and And the year after, just ahead of the Euros, which would have been, what, 1998, we signed Alyosha Osanovic, who was a ah midfield player.
00:37:28
Ken Davies
and the year off just ahead of the euros which would have been more ninety ninety eight we signed aas soanovch she was a mid film sandovvich is a class act
00:37:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:37:40
Ken Davies
as
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
was it When was it?
00:37:43
Ken Davies
six was it nice one of the year is it ninety nine six nice six six s
00:37:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, when were the Euros? Was it 96 or 98? 96 this Yeah, so it must have been in between.
00:37:47
Ken Davies
yeah so must be week
00:37:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe just ahead of the World Cup.
00:37:49
Ken Davies
ladies say welcome hey but by way
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, bye-bye-bye-bye.
00:37:51
Ken Davies
um
00:37:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a player he was.
00:37:53
Ken Davies
what fails he wases
00:37:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he, I think, is the most skilful footballer, technically, I've ever seen put on a Derby Counter shirt.
00:37:55
Ken Davies
he i think is the most skillful footballweer typically an overseas plum dub cashier really even even past King Cladse oh god yeah yeah yeah okay George was great but he was at the end of career when he came us the son of which wasn't we snaffled him
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think he was i just think he's absolutely Oh, God, yeah yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think so. Giorgio Keklase was great, but he was at the end of his career when he came to us. Osanovic wasn't.
00:38:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we snaffled him... at exactly the right time.
00:38:19
Ken Davies
this zae autoage
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he played in that midfield and Oranio was in that field, if you remember.
00:38:21
Ken Davies
and he played in that midfield in the rio was in that field remember the first season in the chest boost to the baseball gra our lost sister baseball it was
00:38:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
That first season, he played for us. We were still at the baseball grounds. on Our last season at the baseball ground. and play Anybody who knows the baseball ground will know that there was, I don't know, maybe one or two patches of grass on it.
00:38:30
Ken Davies
and anybody who knows the baseball ground will know that there was maybe one or two patches of grass on it but beyond that it was mostly sort mud and sand um and he shot he was brilliant so it he was just brilliant he was i thought i'd I thought I'd trigger some memories by asking that question they were two great players weren't they
00:38:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But beyond that, it was mostly sort of mud and sand.
00:38:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he shone. He was brilliant. So it was July 1996.
00:38:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He signed for us and he was just brilliant.
00:38:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and i mean um um i maintain yeah i maintained that in the in the war, 18 months or so he was with us.
00:39:01
Ken Davies
Yeah, I maintain that in the, what, 18 months or so he was with us, he was technically the most gifted footballer I've ever seen in a double show.
00:39:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was technically the most gifted footballer I've ever seen pull on a Derby shirt.
00:39:12
Ken Davies
well Well...
00:39:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And people will argue with that.
00:39:14
Ken Davies
and People will argue that.
00:39:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll say, well, maybe can clarify, they'll certainly say Iranio, um even maybe Francesco Biano.
00:39:15
Ken Davies
They'll say, well, maybe you can through. They'll certainly say in Radeo. Yeah. Even maybe Francesco Diardo. Yeah. One shot.
00:39:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:39:25
Ken Davies
Or going back into the 70s when we actually did win the Premier League.
00:39:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or going back into the 70s when we actually did win the equivalent of the Premier League, players like Roy McFarland and Colin Todd and Alan Hinton, you know, players like that.
00:39:30
Ken Davies
Players like Werner Farland and Colin Todd and Aaron Hinton. Yeah, players like that. these were more these were proper modern players.
00:39:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
arch Archie Gemmell.
00:39:36
Ken Davies
Asanovic was a modern player.
00:39:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, modern player.
00:39:38
Ken Davies
Yeah, player.
00:39:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he brought depth to Derby and skill to Derby that we didn't really have.
00:39:39
Ken Davies
And he brought depth to Derby, skilled Derby in the outside.
00:39:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
so he was a but He was just not quite.
00:39:42
Ken Davies
He was just not quite...
00:39:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't quite have the, i would say, the physicality or the work rate, if you like, to to really succeed in the Premier League.
00:39:45
Ken Davies
He didn't quite have the... would say the physicality of the work rate, if you like, to really succeed in Premier League.
00:39:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he left he left in to Napoli in 1997.
00:39:53
Ken Davies
But he left to Nappel in 1997. So, what a player.
00:39:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, what
00:39:58
Ken Davies
Yeah, I agree. I agree.
Croatian Football Legacy and Derby County
00:40:02
Ken Davies
so So... Sorry about that.
00:40:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, sorry about that.
00:40:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
little Sergio
00:40:04
Ken Davies
A little Sergio... Off he went. was great, wasn't it? He just like...
00:40:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Down memory lane for me, yeah.
00:40:08
Ken Davies
It's like dangling a bit of cheese in front of a mouse. No.
00:40:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be fair, I've not had a tea yet, so dangling it bit a bit cheese is not a bad idea.
00:40:12
Ken Davies
thousand
00:40:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's finish the podcast as we all do.
00:40:16
Ken Davies
lets say costs go doing okay how do think cro
00:40:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken, how do you think Croce are going on?
00:40:19
Ken Davies
I'm pretty confident in this. Round of eight.
00:40:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, okay.
00:40:28
Ken Davies
ah They're good. They're really good.
00:40:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Quarterfinals.
00:40:31
Ken Davies
that They're one of the top four teams in Europe.
00:40:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:40:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's quarterfinals, isn't it, round of eight?
00:40:35
Ken Davies
It's quarterfinals, it? Yeah, quarterfinals.
00:40:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:38
Ken Davies
Quarterfinals. What are the top four teams in Europe? No question. ah I just think this is a South America's teams tournament and or a Mexico.
00:40:50
Ken Davies
ah they're They're my favourites, maybe with a smattering of some good African teams in there as well. ah So whilst I think they will clearly get through and they'll win a couple of games in the knockouts, I think eventually they're going to face a Mexico oh because they're not seeded, remember, either. ah They're going to face a Mexico. They're going face a... Oh, I don't know. Who's the other great team down there? Argentina.
00:41:18
Ken Davies
And I just think they're going to come up against two good sides. I love them. I think the problem slightly is... even though Modric can go on forever, he is 40.
00:41:30
Ken Davies
Even though Perisic can go on forever, he is 36. I think eventually that's just going to catch up with them. And i suspect they'll catch they'll get caught up with in the quarterfinals.
00:41:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's great.
00:41:42
Ken Davies
Yeah, that's great.
00:41:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, good.
00:41:43
Ken Davies
No, that's fine.
00:41:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's fine. I think your reasoning is fair.
00:41:45
Ken Davies
I think your reasoning is fair.
00:41:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I agree with it.
00:41:48
Ken Davies
I agree.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I actually had them going out the round before that.
00:41:49
Ken Davies
But I actually haven't gone out the round before that.
00:41:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I had them going out in the round of 16 for the same reasons you've just pointed out.
00:41:52
Ken Davies
haven't gone the for the same reasons you've just pointed out I'm just thinking in the heat.
00:41:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think in the heat and the playing conditions aren't ideal.
00:41:57
Ken Davies
yeah And the playing conditions aren't ideal.
00:42:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
The team is...
00:42:04
Ken Davies
The team is...
00:42:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, look, they have...
00:42:05
Ken Davies
i mean, look, they have successfully integrated.
00:42:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've successfully integrated, they've got a good youth system Croatia, they've successfully integrated and injected some good youth into the team.
00:42:09
Ken Davies
got good youth system Croatia. They've successfully integrated and injected some good youth into the team.
00:42:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think their best players are still the older players.
00:42:15
Ken Davies
But I think their best players still the older players.
00:42:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah just wonder whether that might catch up with and whether their opportunity was actually at the last World Cup.
00:42:20
Ken Davies
And just wonder whether that...
00:42:27
Ken Davies
last World Cup it really was I suspect but they have a habit of surprising teams don't they they are they're a kind of tournament team they always got mad mad fans yeah I thought
00:42:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So they do, know, mean, now you've said round of eight,
00:42:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are a tournament team. Now you said quarterfinals. Yeah, I feel bad. I feel bad now. um' um I feel bad for saying round 16 because I feel actually you're probably right.
00:42:47
Ken Davies
six weeks i feel
00:42:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're probably right.
00:42:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you've You've got a better hand. Yeah, i think I think you've called this, Ken. Maybe I've underestimated him a little bit.
00:42:50
Ken Davies
you got her home yeah i think ill think you call this
00:42:55
Ken Davies
maybe ill over rest
00:42:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just felt, I just felt, and I'm looking at all the other teams in it and we've got
00:42:58
Ken Davies
Yeah. Might have got you now, it's round to 16.
00:43:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eight teams left in the quarterfinals.
00:43:01
Ken Davies
eighteens left in courtins
00:43:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are they going to be in those top eight?
00:43:03
Ken Davies
they going to be in those top
00:43:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Considering we you know we are expecting South American teams to do well when they don't normally, apart from Argentina, obviously, in in Europe being, you know, World Cup.
00:43:06
Ken Davies
considering where yeah we are expect south americanrri teams are doing well when they don't normally off watch cigarette see is in europe know yeah
00:43:17
Ken Davies
i've got you down now It's going different it's gonna be that there or thereabouts, isn't it?
00:43:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Yeah, no, that's fine. I'll go for round of 16. That's fine.
00:43:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. We're only talking about one game, aren't we, between us, but...
00:43:22
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:43:23
Ken Davies
We're only talking about one game, not it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The 2-0 victory against England or not. It might not be.
00:43:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which, yeah, might well be.
00:43:31
Ken Davies
It might not
00:43:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It might well be.
Quiz, Listener Engagement, and Future Episodes
00:43:33
Ken Davies
be.
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good.
00:43:33
Ken Davies
Good.
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, good.
00:43:33
Ken Davies
Okay, good.
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that brings to the end this this edition of Road to World Cup 26.
00:43:34
Ken Davies
Well, that brings to the end of this edition of Road to Work Up.
00:43:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much a indeed for joining us.
00:43:37
Ken Davies
Thank you very much.
00:43:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are obviously very willing to hear from you and we can hear the best way to get in touch.
00:43:38
Ken Davies
we often see very well to hear from you and vision here best way to get in touch and please do get in touch with your thoughts
00:43:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And please do get in touch with your thoughts. is by emailing us at rotoworldcup26 at gmail.com.
00:43:45
Ken Davies
is by emailing us at ro woke up twenty six atgmail dot com always please to hear from you we get lots of corresponds in
00:43:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always pleased to hear from you. We get lots of correspondence in. We are sooner or later going to do a podcast which is dedicated to that correspondence.
00:43:52
Ken Davies
we are sooner or later going to do forecast which is dedicated to
00:43:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So get yourself a shout out.
00:43:56
Ken Davies
getel to shout at
00:43:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get yourself a shout out on this podcast by dropping us an email.
00:43:59
Ken Davies
this podcast by dropping us an email anything you like any topic to discuss is good uh Kim where are we headed yesterday give me a number between 31 and Austria okay the hills are alive with the sound music so
00:44:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anything you like, any topic of discussion is good. Ken, where are we headed next week, my friend?
00:44:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
32. Okay. I went to Austria.
00:44:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the sound of... Correct. That's one out of three for Kenny's quiz.
00:44:29
Ken Davies
water Austria. Right, i'm going to get I'm going to get the Encyclopedia Austriossipi, or whatever it's called, and I'm just going to memorise it.
00:44:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tell you what, there's a great question about which countries border Austria.
00:44:40
Ken Davies
about which country's border o
00:44:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:44:42
Ken Davies
Oh, there'll be a few of them. what's the austrian What's the Austrian national animal of Austria? the the I don't know. Okay, thanks.
00:44:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, good. Thanks. That's a useful bit of content there. Thanks, Ken. at what see What sea does the Austrian coastline run on?
00:44:55
Ken Davies
ye what see what see coastline road? Austria is landlocked.
00:45:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Correct.
00:45:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is. there You're on it. You see, you're on it already.
00:45:02
Ken Davies
Correct, it so you honor Oh God, I wish I should have saved myself for next time.
00:45:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you are, because I'm now going to make these extra difficult for next week.
00:45:08
Ken Davies
they're gonna make these extra difficult things Right, so off to Austria we go.
00:45:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. So off to Austria we go. now
00:45:13
Ken Davies
Adolf Hitler.
00:45:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:45:17
Ken Davies
What?
00:45:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on.
00:45:17
Ken Davies
He was Austrian. Most famous Austrian, isn't he?
00:45:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who was?
00:45:20
Ken Davies
Adolf Hitler.
00:45:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who? We don't need to be talking about Adolf Hitler on this podcast.
00:45:21
Ken Davies
We don't need be talking about Adolf Hitler. Fair enough. I'm just throwing out all my Austrian knowledge. Sorry, okay.
00:45:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great. Okay.
Planning the Next Episode and World Cup Draw Logistics
00:45:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:45:29
Ken Davies
thank you
00:45:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, it's worth saying, and you and i are going to have to think about this, actually, before we say we're going to Austria next week, that next Friday is the World Cup draw.
00:45:30
Ken Davies
it's worth saying and you and I are going have to think about this actually before we say we're going to Austria next week that next Friday is the World Cup draw so I wonder if we do a podcast for that yes we probably should and I'm also on holiday oh yeah you're on the great canary aren't you yeah so what do we do miss one we'll do the World Cup draw we'll do the next one on the draw and then we'll do Austria after that yeah the next podcast is going to on the World Cup draw but should do
00:45:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I wonder if we do a podcast on that.
00:45:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shouldn't we? Oh, yeah, you're on Gran Canaria, aren't you?
00:45:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the next podcast is be the World Cup draw, but we should do it. I might have to do my own then, or find somebody to do it with.
00:46:00
Ken Davies
um master job and or find somebody to deal with the these treat it needs to be done well if your colonels holiday either take your headphones with you and do do it No, no, no, I'll do it I'll take my headphones with and we'll do it Gran Canaria we'll do it right here we'll do it right here Good man that's what I like
00:46:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it needs to be it needs to be done. Well, if you're going on holiday, either take your headphones with you and do it in Grand Canaria, or ah'll do i'll do it I'll find somebody else to do it.
00:46:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good man, that's the spirit. Good man. That's what I like to hear.
Excitement for World Cup Draw and Closing Remarks
00:46:17
Ken Davies
to hear right, okay in that case next week's podcast isn't Australia that's going be the week after it's going to be all of the group stages everybody connected with the World Cup will know who they are playing it's going to be a big day it's going to be a big day and then on Sunday everybody finds out where they're playing
00:46:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Okay. In that case, um next week's podcast isn't Australia. That's going to be the week after. it's going to be all of the group stages. Everybody connected with a World Cup will know who they are playing. It's going to be a big day. It's going to be a big occasion. And then on Sunday, everybody finds out where they're playing.
00:46:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So nobody cares.
00:46:33
Ken Davies
Nobody's bothered about where they're playing.
00:46:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
about it Well, I don't know.
00:46:36
Ken Davies
No one cares about it.
00:46:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the heat, with the temperature all that, I think it's going to be quite a deciding factor.
00:46:36
Ken Davies
the with the temperature, I think it's to be quite a deciding point to give up.
00:46:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I think it might matter.
00:46:39
Ken Davies
might be. It might be. I think it might matter. It might matter.
00:46:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it might might might matter.
00:46:43
Ken Davies
It might matter.
00:46:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But until then, everybody, have a fantastic week.
00:46:45
Ken Davies
Well, until then, everybody, have a fantastic week.
00:46:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look after yourselves.
00:46:48
Ken Davies
Look after yourselves.
00:46:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look after each other.
00:46:49
Ken Davies
Look after each other.
00:46:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodbye.
00:46:50
Ken Davies
Goodbye. Bye-bye.