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The greatest scandal in World Cup history! Is Ken smarter than Thierry Henry? And can Mahrez lead Algeria to wold Cup glory?
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Nick and Ken discuss 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 to the Weekly Soccer Podcast
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It says Daily Soccer Podcast there, but this is, of course, the weekly soccer podcast, and it remains the only weekly Road to World Cup 26 podcast out there. yeah Oh, it's brilliant. I love it. The World Cup's getting nearer, Kenny. The World Cup is getting nearer. I can almost smell it. Can you nearly smell it?
00:00:30
Ken Davies
I can smell something. I'm not sure it's the World Cup. It's ah it's because it's nearly winter. And because it's nearly winter, it's nearly the new year.
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
There it
00:00:38
Ken Davies
because it's nearly the new year, it's nearly the World Cup. So it kind of all makes sense. Things get closer every game.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it does. it It is, it is. And I
Winter and World Cup Anticipation
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
know winter is drawing in. I know the nights are getting very cold and it's getting dark and the clocks go back.
00:00:49
Ken Davies
Breezing tonight.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
The clocks go back.
00:00:51
Ken Davies
Breezing in England.
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't Deary me. But yes, as you say, all that means, why the dark before the dawn? It's got to get darker before it gets lighter. So we're getting nearer and nearer World Cup.
00:01:00
Ken Davies
I love you.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much. You know me, I'm a deep thinker. Welcome, everybody.
00:01:05
Ken Davies
You are.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Road to World Cup 26, week 33. 33 episodes thirty three thirty three ah episodes in My name is Nick Britton. As always, i am joined by the football genius, and that's the only way to describe him, but only if he's looking in the mirror. Mr. Ken Davis, how are you,
00:01:21
Ken Davies
I'm good. That'll be me. I'm very well, actually. Uh,
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
mate?
00:01:23
Ken Davies
iy a I have had a good week football-wise. seen Derby win 1-0. I've seen Rexham win 1-0. And it's always good in the world of football, as far as I'm concerned.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is good. yeah youre Yeah, you're at the Derby game. It was a wretched first half, wasn't it, and then a much better second half.
00:01:41
Ken Davies
Dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. ah Yeah, Algeria would have beaten them.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we're going to find out. To be fair, Algeria probably would have beaten them. They'll probably beat them nearly every time they play them.
00:01:51
Ken Davies
No question.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's
Algerian National Anthem Discussion
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
not not the greatest comparison, I think. But yes, as always, we've got some a little bit World Cup news. Not much. There's not that much going on at the moment. And as always, we have everybody's favourite time of the week, which is Kenny's quiz. And in between all of that...
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of that, we're going to take a deep, deep, deep, deep deep dive into one of the newer teams to qualify for the World Cup. And that is back in Africa. And it is Algeria.
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so on. Okay, well, what do you think, mate? Before you say anything, right, before you say anything, don't comment, just listen to this.
00:03:07
Ken Davies
They're on the same song.
00:03:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's what I mean. So that we played that a couple of weeks ago when did Tunisia. That's the Tunisia National Anthem. It sounds suspiciously similar to near-neighbours Algeria.
00:03:18
Ken Davies
I think there'd be a court case.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does it not?
00:03:19
Ken Davies
Yeah. Did you know, though, that the Algerian National Anthem is, in fact, I read this before I came on, ah is a war song that was written at the time of the Algerian War against the French.
00:03:33
Ken Davies
So I was expecting it, because I've not heard it, to be like... We ate the French, we ate the French, kill them, kill them, kill them, whatever.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's just That's just England.
00:03:42
Ken Davies
yeah ah So ah that was rather jolly. And it was the kind of thing you imagine in 1930, a bandstand with all these people sitting there and playing the Algerian anthem and quite enjoying it.
00:03:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, wasn't it? yeah
00:03:57
Ken Davies
It was a jolly song. It was wasn't it? No, no. that and was' it
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't really a song of war, was it?
00:04:05
Ken Davies
no no
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You don't really want to go you're don't really work out over the top with that ringing in your ears because you might just find yourself skipping gaily along before being shot at.
00:04:07
Ken Davies
Not really.
00:04:12
Ken Davies
No.
00:04:15
Ken Davies
Exactly. It's a song you can skip along to. I don't maybe Camel's kind of, they're camel ah kind of cavalry.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:25
Ken Davies
Maybe they go with that kind of ba-ba-ba-da-ba-da-ba-da-ba-da-ba-da-ba-da-ba-da
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even the camels will be dancing at that.
00:04:30
Ken Davies
thing.
00:04:32
Ken Davies
That's great. It's a nice little tune, but it's not really a water song.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a nice little tune, yeah. Anyway, we will be hearing that.
00:04:36
Ken Davies
No.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will be hearing that at the USA calendar and Mexico next week. Yeah, because Algeria are the fourth African country qualify. They're not fourth African country to qualify.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of the African qualifiers have come from the north top end of Africa. Right?
00:04:51
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah, they have. Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Morocco? Yeah. Yeah, didn't we?
00:04:59
Ken Davies
Yeah, you're right. Cape Verde.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
My geography was right.
00:05:02
Ken Davies
Cape Verde.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. Well, they're top end because they're kind of in the sea somewhere. But they're not from South south Africa, the southern part the continent, are they?
00:05:13
Ken Davies
It's quite a long way down.
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think they are.
00:05:17
Ken Davies
I think you'll find it's the other side of the equator.
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, so I'm I'm just making this up.
00:05:24
Ken Davies
and
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway... Yeah, we're going have a look at Algeria today and have a look at that. We're only going to do three players. We normally do five, but I've suddenly realised after 32 weeks of doing a Rotor World Cup podcast, five is probably too, too many. so we're going to focus on three key players for Algeria this year. Kenny is obviously going to talk about the history of Algeria in the World Cup.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to have a look at the formation. i'll do the players. I'll have a look at the coach as well. And in between that, of course, we have got everybody's favourite time in the week, which is Kenny's quiz.
00:05:55
Ken Davies
Yeah. I'm on a bit of a roll as well.
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You are on a bit of a role, to be fair. You have been doing pretty well recently. You have been pretty well. And today, there's a bit of a change today in case quiz, bit of change today, because we're doing multiple choice questions.
00:06:03
Ken Davies
ah
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've got a great chance.
00:06:08
Ken Davies
Go on.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got a great chance.
00:06:09
Ken Davies
um i know I mean, i've not obviously I never do any homework for these things. I mean, how many things are there to know about Algeria? Well, better find out, aren't I? Might be loads to know about Algeria.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you are. ah There is loads. There is loads. It's a fascinating country. So anyway, that be that'll be coming a bit later on. But for now, of course, for now, Let's start off the podcast, as we always do, with a bit of breaking news.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, good news, by the way. Good
Fox TV's World Cup Coverage Plan
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
news for TV viewers in America.
00:06:45
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because Fox TV have said today that they are more than doubling their broadcast of games and in fact every single match is going to be broadcast on the network so it's going to broadcast 69 live matches from next year's tournament that's going to be live on the fox broadcast network which is more than double the 34 games air in 2022 so it's a football you would expect it if you would expect it because on home turf the other 35 games will run on fs1 and every match will be available on the for stream on the fox one streaming service so
00:07:13
Ken Davies
Yeah, you expect every game to be televised. It's always up.
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
and don't want to keep saying folks and giving in publicity but it just does It just does mean that wherever you can get it and of course, America and beyond, if you if you have certain capability to get it from beyond, there'll be a football fest. That's the place. There'll be loads of football.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, really, every single country in the world and every channel will be broadcasting the World Cup. I mean, I know over here you have it on both the main mainstream channels, and ITV, don't you?
00:07:44
Ken Davies
Yeah, we won't be able to move from...
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:47
Ken Davies
No, it is going to be a festival.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But...
00:07:48
Ken Davies
There's going to be a lot of games, more games than ever in any World Cup ever.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will. It will. So anyway, good news if you're a viewer in America and you want to watch the footy. and And I thought an interesting thing, by the way, I picked up today, Ken, because you'll like this because it means that you're a football genius.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It confirms your football genius status but cup because Thierry Henry's been talking about the World Cup and he says the the dark horses, the team that everybody's got to keep an eye on is Morocco.
00:08:04
Ken Davies
OK.
00:08:06
Ken Davies
OK. I'm liking the sound of it already.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know you kind of fancied Morocco quite a lot, didn't you?
00:08:19
Ken Davies
I did fancy work.
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't remember.
00:08:20
Ken Davies
I do fancy work.
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where did we both have them in the in the in the rankings, in our predictions? so
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And therefore, who is the football genius out of the Tivers?
00:08:25
Ken Davies
Well, I should tell you, if you give me two minutes, I have to go back a long way now for the predictions page, but leave it with me for a second and I will let you know.
00:08:34
Ken Davies
I think
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we we we certainly have them going probably the furthest of the African nations so far.
00:08:41
Ken Davies
ah any African team, I think this is true.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no, Thierry Henry's been talking about it quite a lot. And he says the Moroccans are the team... That could surprise everyone.
00:08:53
Ken Davies
Really?
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, yeah. But also in the same kind of sentence, although not in the same breath, also in the same sentence mentioned Portugal. So what does Thierry Henry know?
00:09:01
Ken Davies
yeah ah
00:09:03
Ken Davies
No. No, no. We've both said they're going to go out in round of 16. So if you like that.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, do Oh, right.
00:09:09
Ken Davies
So what does he know?
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, well, that's not great.
00:09:13
Ken Davies
um What does he know? I'm going to still on us,
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeahlog Yeah, we'll find out next year whether we are football geniuses or Thierry Henrys.
00:09:19
Ken Davies
um um money still on those to be
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think i think it already is. Right, Ken. Algeria have reached the World Cup m four times, if I'm right. Maybe five.
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't know. Tell us about the history of Algeria and the World Cup.
00:09:30
Ken Davies
correct
Algeria's World Cup History Recap
00:09:35
Ken Davies
Well, strictly speaking, they've reached the World Cup final five times because ah they've reached the 2026 one. But in the past, they have reached four World Cups before. 1982, we should bear in mind, just to give due, it was part of France in 1962 where they had a little tete-a-tete at that point and decided to go their own way, hence the war song that we we we had earlier on.
00:10:00
Ken Davies
But they've qualified...
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I take it then, if the war song was any kind of ah signal, our perfume is very friendly, tete-a-tete.
00:10:06
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
They all shook hands very nicely and went their separate ways with a glass of hymns.
00:10:11
Ken Davies
No, it wasn't really, but it does sound like it was kind of... dead ah then It was like a... no but it No, it was quite a violent little tussle. ah Anyway, four times they've qualified 1982, 1986, 2010, 2014.
00:10:24
Ken Davies
They were eliminated the stages in 82, 86, 2010, but they made through to the second round in 2014. Now, want to take though, in eighty two eighty six two thousand and ten but they made it two through to the second round and twenty fourteen now want to take you back though to one of the great scandals of World Cup history.
00:10:44
Ken Davies
So we're going back to 1982. And it involved an infamous game, a very infamous game of West Germany against Austria. you remember this one?
00:10:57
Ken Davies
Very famous game, 1982.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't remember why it would be kind of a famous game. i i can see why that would be. I can see why it might be controversial, but I don't remember the game.
00:11:06
Ken Davies
Right, it was controversial because this the situation. It was the final game of the of the round, of the qualifying round, if you like, of the early stages of the World Cup.
00:11:18
Ken Davies
And in those days, the last games were not played simultaneously. was play This one was played after the second to last game, which meant that West Germany, if they won by one or two goals,
00:11:36
Ken Davies
they would qualify, and so would Austria, who they were playing against.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can see what's coming. i can see what's coming here.
00:11:42
Ken Davies
Wow. Exactly, exactly. So what happened was, and not only would they both qualify, they would qualify at the expense of poor old Algeria. So this is the reason we're talking about now.
00:11:55
Ken Davies
ah So 10 minutes of absolute all-out attack by the West Germans, they score a goal through Horst Hrubresch, who I remember, And then 80 minutes,
00:12:09
Ken Davies
They just kicked the ball around completely aimlessly. Absolutely no intention of either team even threatening score to score a goal. They just kicked it back to the keeper, kicked it around, passed it around, gave it to the opposition. They did the same, passed it back.
00:12:24
Ken Davies
It was an abomination. Absolutely disgraceful football match. And of there was the crowd was going crazy ah because they knew what was happening, like everybody else. It was absolutely disgraceful.
00:12:36
Ken Davies
So it finished 1-0.
00:12:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Is that the crowd going crazy in a good way because they both knew their teams were going through or crazy in a bad way because this was quite clearly a stitch-up?
00:12:41
Ken Davies
No. Crazy in a bad way. There was a lot of neutrals and they were going, they were like, uh, They were going mad. So anyway, it finished 1-0.
00:12:54
Ken Davies
West Germany and Austria were both the qualifiers. Algeria lost out. But it meant well the the World Cup authorities, FIFA, were so embarrassed and abhorred by what they'd just seen, what they'd just witnessed, they changed the rules. So the last two games now have to be played simultaneously.
00:13:13
Ken Davies
And it's all back to that game between West Germany and Austria. So that's why... That's why they were eliminated. That is Algeria back in.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Now that you mentioned it, yeah, now that you I do remember it because I also remember a couple of games later in the semi-final against France, that was the Harold Schumacher moment, wasn't he, when he absolutely went out and ran out of his goal and absolutely nailed whoever it was he'd know.
00:13:29
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:13:31
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:13:34
Ken Davies
Whoever it was.
00:13:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you remember? It's like a karate kick to the stomach.
00:13:37
Ken Davies
It's horrible to But anyway, ah Germany and Austria colluded. And let's be honest, it isn't the same. It isn't the first time Germany and Austria have colluded.
00:13:50
Ken Davies
But that was a completely different kettle of fish. So that was 1982. 1986, they eliminated in the group stages. In 2010, by the way, ah they were eliminated. But they did play England in the group stages. What was the score?
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which year?
00:14:10
Ken Davies
2010. Not that long ago.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't, was it? 1-0 to England.
00:14:19
Ken Davies
Nil-nil.
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it?
00:14:21
Ken Davies
Nil-nil.
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So bad.
00:14:21
Ken Davies
It caused huge celebrations on the streets of Algiers that
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
On the streets of London.
00:14:28
Ken Davies
um let's No, it was it was a proper snore fest by all accounts. But in Algeria, it wass like it was like you know New Year's and Christmas. it wouldn't be Christmas. that's here you We get Madrid, all rolled into one.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
here
00:14:43
Ken Davies
By the way, in 2014, they did get through the second round. They won for two against ah South Korea. And they were then eliminated by Germany in round two. The Germans and the Algerians clearly have got an issue.
00:14:58
Ken Davies
By the way, by the way, by the way, by the way, I seem to think in 1982, remember that thing where the West Germans allowed the Austrians to get through?
00:15:10
Ken Davies
In the very first game of the World Cup ah of 1982, the game was West Germany against Algeria. What was the score?
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
1-0 Germany.
00:15:26
Ken Davies
to Algeria.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not doing very well with my 1-0s.
00:15:29
Ken Davies
one of the greatest One of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why do I keep guessing 1-0 and getting in wrong?
00:15:34
Ken Davies
that is why That is why the West Germans alluded to the Austrians to kick them out.
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, is that why they stitched it up later?
00:15:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fascinating. That's a great story.
00:15:42
Ken Davies
It's graceful.
00:15:44
Ken Davies
It is. It's glorious.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of that ah amounts to a really good story. I like that,
00:15:48
Ken Davies
A podcast in its own right. so So that's the history of Algerian attendance at the World Cup. Their form going into this World Cup is pretty good in the sense of of the last 10 games, of the course of the last couple of years.
00:16:03
Ken Davies
They've won seven. They've drawn two. They've lost one. The only loss, by the way, in that time, ah in in those that period, was a 4-3 away defeat at Sweden.
00:16:15
Ken Davies
Now, that sounds good until you realise how badly Sweden are doing in the UEFA qualifications. But in that game, by the way, Sweden were 4-0 up ah just after their half-time.
00:16:26
Ken Davies
And Algeria brought it back to 4-3. But they couldn't quite find an equaliser. In the CAF qualification, Group G, they played 10, as they all do.
00:16:38
Ken Davies
Won 8, drew 1, lost 1. The only loss was an unexpected 2-1 loss at home against Guinea. But don't get too carried away with their good form because just to let you know who was in Group G alongside Algeria was Uganda, Mozambique, Guinea, Botswana and Somalia.
00:16:58
Ken Davies
Not exactly ah the cream of footballing heritage. So decent form. But as always with these things, you've got to factor in the the opposition and the standard of the opposition.
00:17:11
Ken Davies
Final thing and then I now hand over to you is ranking. They are 35th in the FIFA rankings, a little higher than I expected. ah They were 70th in 2019. So there's been a general rise since then.
00:17:27
Ken Davies
But their highest moment was 2014 in the FIFA rankings. What was their position in 2014?
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
1-0. That's my answer to all your questions today. What was the position in 2014? what What is it now?
00:17:45
Ken Davies
It's now 35th. They were as low as 70th in 2019. What were they in 2014?
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I think they got up to 16th.
00:17:52
Ken Davies
Don't be ridiculous. ah fifteen
00:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was close.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
up please fifty I knew that. Oh, so close.
00:17:56
Ken Davies
15.
00:17:59
Ken Davies
the fifty
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So close.
00:17:59
Ken Davies
15.
00:18:01
Ken Davies
So that's it. That's all you need
Zencastr Ad Segment
00:18:02
Ken Davies
to know about the history of Algerian World Cup participation, where they are form-wise and where they are ranking-wise. So there you are.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, that was very good.
00:18:11
Ken Davies
a
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was good. I'd say that's probably your best summary yet. That was your most interesting world cup history of World Cup teams that you've done yet.
00:18:18
Ken Davies
Thank you very much. it I mean, the standard hasn't been particularly high, but it's, ah yeah, it was a fascinating thing, especially the little Germany thing.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
download't know it i don't know when you listen to this segment. I'm normally off doing another... I didn't have any cup of tea.
00:18:28
Ken Davies
We've got hoovering or something, I'm putting the tea on.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
the No, that was very good, That was very interesting.
00:18:32
Ken Davies
Thank you. Shall I just top and tail it with a little advert?
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Please do.
00:18:37
Ken Davies
Well, because you know, that pays to get your team selection right. Vladimir Petkovic certainly knows that.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
you look You didn't know that. You were looking, were you? You were like, oh, I can't remember his name.
00:18:46
Ken Davies
um
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can see you.
00:18:48
Ken Davies
Vlad, me and Vlad go back years. What are talking about? Here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner. We chose Zencastr because Zencastr makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience, even if they're in Algeria, wherever they may be.
00:19:05
Ken Davies
With 4K video recording, easy AI editing, top tier distribution tools, and all in one place. If you've got a story to tell, go and tell it Zencastr. You can check the show notes for more details.
00:19:19
Ken Davies
oh
00:19:28
Ken Davies
there we go yeah you've got the hands in the air wow face drop
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a great little bass drop. I love that. Right, that's our little players intro music to signal in three key players for Algeria.
00:19:50
Ken Davies
I can think of one of them.
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
start. Oh, you don't need to pipe out yet. It's not time it's not quiz time yet.
00:19:55
Ken Davies
um i'm I'm kind of building up to it. I want to get a through it.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're warming up.
00:19:58
Ken Davies
think I'm listening in, can't I?
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're warming the pipe OK, that's fine. Okay, that's good. We normally start... Stop it because you put me off. and We normally start the goalkeepers. And this week is no different.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But interestingly, i from all the research I have done, which is considerable for this, i have to say, no that's so unfair.
00:20:14
Ken Davies
No. Yeah.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
As you well know, I've put several hours every week into researching this podcast, because one of us has to. so Somebody's got to hold it together.
00:20:23
Ken Davies
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah the The Algerian goalkeeping position is up for grabs.
00:20:31
Ken Davies
Blimey.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's up for grabs.
00:20:32
Ken Davies
Between...
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, between kind of two or three. So Anthony Mandrea has been playing in goal. Alexis Gwendou has been playing in goal. But the one I wanted to bring you was a young man who made it. He's not actually that young, but he's ah he's a ah player who made his debut in the last game for Algeria.
00:20:50
Ken Davies
Against Uganda.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um against Uganda. They'd already qualified, so coach made quite a few changes.
00:20:55
Ken Davies
what you want Yeah, I do.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he made his debut for Algieri, and I'm bringing him to you because you will recognise his name, certainly his second name, and that is Luka Zidane. Son of the great...
00:21:06
Ken Davies
Is he any any relation to the famous of that?
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the son of the great Zinedine Zidane.
00:21:12
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
27 years old. ah He played for France. who and He played for France throughout the levels in goal. I mean, he didn't get loads and loads caps, but enough. And then he switched allegiance very recently, actually, to Algeria and received his very first call-up this month. He's obviously not going to play for France at
Luka Zidane's Potential in Algeria's Squad
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
first-seam level, so here's his opportunity to play international football and and who would blame him.
00:21:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's done very well. He plays his club football in the Spanish second division of Granada, and but the fact he's going to deem Zidane's son gets him in the team of a team of interesting players from Algeria, I think, he?
00:21:47
Ken Davies
Definitely. Definitely. i saw I saw his name when I was doing the formations and I thought, I wonder, or is Zidane like Smith in the UK in Algeria? Is everybody called Zidane? Is Zidane in every street? but maybe No, clearly not.
00:22:01
Ken Davies
he He is related to the great man.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is related to the great man. And so it'll be interesting. Look, we don't know whether whether he's going to become a regular. I'm not sure. I'd say there seemed to be bit of a bun fight for the jersey moving forward. But we'll see.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
See where pounds are. Player number two is a Ryan H. Nuri. So he's well known over here in the English Premier League.
00:22:25
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
He made 157 appearances in the Premier League with Wolves. This year, and he's a very good player.
00:22:30
Ken Davies
Good player.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I mean, look, In our other podcast that you and I do, Ken, which is the Daily Premier League, we have watched lyrical about Wolves' woes on the basis that they had lost two or three of their key players over the summer.
00:22:41
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:22:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Nourri was absolutely one of those. Went to Manchester City on a five-year deal for about £32 million. pounds And Wolves have really missed it.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because any of you listening to this who follow the Premier League will see that Wolves are bottom with zero wins after eight games. So Wolves have struggled without him. He's made two or three appearances for Man City, so he is making his mark there slowly. For Algeria, he's got 18 caps, made his international debut in 2023, and he's a very, very good player, very good defender.
00:23:15
Ken Davies
Fine play.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good defender.
00:23:16
Ken Davies
No, that's good. And the third one is that, and this one seems to ring a bell with me.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's a guy called ah Nabil Bentaleb. ah and ah the reason I bring him in, in between the third one, because I'm morphing into four now. So I've made loads of notes on these players and all that and then suddenly, what I'm looking at this now, I've made an executive decision to bring in a fourth, only because I've got a feeling you saw him play the other week.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know when you went to France france and went to the game?
00:23:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who are the two teams?
00:23:46
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:23:48
Ken Davies
Nice against Longs.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right, no, you didn't.
00:23:50
Ken Davies
No, Nice against Nantes. Nantes.
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, right, no, got this wrong. So he plays for Lille. I had a feeling you went to go and see Lille in French League.
00:23:58
Ken Davies
Now, I'm going to Leo in a couple of months.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, well, go and see him. I mean, um he's ah he's a midfielder. He had a good spell with Tottenham in the Premier League. He played four six times for Tottenham. Had a short spell at to Newcastle on loan. Had a spell at Schalke and has been at Lille since 2023.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
56 caps for Algeria. Doesn't score money, but pretty solid defensively. So he's squeezed in. So it's not become three players, become four. But my fourth player, go on then, do the big build-up again. Can you guess who my fourth player is?
00:24:28
Ken Davies
ah ah Is it Mohamed Mata?
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is. So we're going to talk about... No, it's not. No, not. I wish it was.
00:24:39
Ken Davies
It's Riyad Mahrez.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
It Riyad Mahrez.
Riyad Mahrez's Impact on Algeria's Team
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
The great, the great, great Riyad Mahrez.
00:24:43
Ken Davies
What player, yeah. What a player.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is such a brilliant player. He'll be 35 by the time the World Cup kicks off. But blimey, he is so good to watch. And he's still doing it at international level.
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hope he's still doing it at a league level, albeit in Saudi Pro League. which i know sounds a bit condescending, but let's face it, he's a lower league than the Premier League, where he's been playing for many years. And he's such a brilliant player.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a wizard with the ball. He's a wizard with the ball. And in that brilliant Man City team of about, sort of what, four or five years ago, he was absolutely central to that.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's scored some amazing goals.
00:25:22
Ken Davies
wasn he was.
00:25:25
Ken Davies
At Leicester, absolutely astonishing, wasn't he?
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:29
Ken Davies
ri What a discovery, what a find Riyad Mahrez was for Leicester.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so he's five-time Premier League lin it winner. it One of those Premier League wins, as as you've just pointed out, or you haven't, but you've made reference to it, was it with Leicester City in 2016 and their extraordinary Premier League win.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously moved from Leicester to ah Manchester City in 2018 and was there between 2018 and 2023 where he moved to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ali.
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's won the Champions League, he's won the FA Cup, he's won the League Cup. He is widely considered to be one of the best African players of all time. Recently, won his cap for Algeria.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's the captain of the team and all being well, he will lead them out the World Cup next year. He's a brilliant player.
00:26:20
Ken Davies
Looking forward it. He's a great player. He's always a pleasure to watch. He's got a great attitude. He's a pretty humble guy, but he's got an amazing amount talent. I'm really looking forward to seeing him at the World Cup.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
looking for it. He's one of those players who you just want to watch play football. well I think he's absolutely sensational. So that's kind of, i mean, it's meant to be three, but we've we've squeezed an extra win in. So four players who we think will feature for Algeria. And actually, they're four good players, you know.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're four good players. It's not like we're trying to find players and kind of big them up. They are actually yeah i' actually pretty a good players. So the question is to you, Kenny, what formation do they play in?
00:26:46
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:26:57
Ken Davies
They play, and this is going to be a real easy, quick one, 4-3-3. They play every time. I've gone back five games, 4-3-3, 4-3-3 against Uganda. It was the downing goal, as you mentioned.
00:27:09
Ken Davies
ah Big Gali on the right-hand side of the defence. Mandy, nice of it to show up in the centre. Ben
00:27:21
Ken Davies
Sheehan. Ben Sheehan.
00:27:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I knew you were to it.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be fair, I know this is their last game, but it's a little bit like you're better off reading the team sheet out for the game that actually mattered, where they qualified.
00:27:23
Ken Davies
and
00:27:32
Ken Davies
No, because I've known it.
00:27:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this last game was just full of reserve players.
00:27:35
Ken Davies
No.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just full of reserve players. So anybody listening, they may only hear these names once in their entire lives.
00:27:43
Ken Davies
as well Well, I disagree. It's to annex the one I've written down. So Ben Sabin, Hajim on the left hand of the defence. Zorgan, Matza and Budaoui.
00:27:58
Ken Davies
in the midfield with Mahrez, Goury and Amoura. That's Amoura on the the front of the left-hand side. So, I mean, that's the 4-3-3 and it's always a 4-3-3. So I guarantee you if you, if there's a bet to be had, what's the formation of the Algerian team in the first game?
00:28:19
Ken Davies
Lump your mortgage on a 4-3-3. You'll thank me later.
00:28:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. So I'm just looking at FIFA website, right? For when they beat Somalia 3-0, which was the game they qualified. And FIFA have done what they've always done. Remember when they had Egypt playing a six-man midfield the other week?
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
so they say they They say that Algeria are playing a 4-3-3, but they've only got three defenders on the pitch, which isn't great. And they're playing a 3-4-3, three according to FIFA.
00:28:37
Ken Davies
Oh yeah.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't get it.
00:28:50
Ken Davies
What do FIFA know?
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:28:52
Ken Davies
FIFA wouldn't know a 433 if it punched him in the face.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
but three, four, five, six, seven, eight. No. Yeah. ah don't know about that.
00:28:58
Ken Davies
Well, I think it we just need to refer back to Egypt's 461 and.
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was a different, i know I know, it was a different team. I think this is more likely to be the team they'll play, which is Gwendoui in goal. ah Mandy, yeah, good of her turn up playing again.
00:29:13
Ken Davies
Yes, I try now.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's twice. I'll tell you what, she'll be bit tired. Well, Mandy. Hadjam, Bensavani, Badui, Bergali, Chay, Bentaleb, And then the three up top, Mahrez, Bounderji, Baghdad and Mohamed Amoura made their front three. So anyway, there we are.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're picking at straws, mate. We're picking straws. Right, just before we get on to Kenny's quiz, which is everybody's favourite time of the week, let's have a quick let's have a quick word from our sponsor.
00:29:35
Ken Davies
No, sure.
00:29:39
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:29:43
Ken Davies
Why not? Because Global Sports Podcast Network is partnered with Bionic, the world's most personalized supplements, because your body is unique. your Your body, and i'm looking at you, Nick. Because without knowing what the disease is happening...
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
don that jump That jumper you're wearing is unique.
00:29:57
Ken Davies
dare you?
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
did
00:29:58
Ken Davies
I was quite... ah I quite like this jumper.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you dig that out of the...
00:30:00
Ken Davies
Because... Do you mind...
00:30:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
loft it's been the lofts bodyy before we follow
00:30:04
Ken Davies
and Because without knowing what deficiencies you have, taking off-the-shelf supplements mean you're probably not getting enough of the nutrients you need, maybe too many of the ones you don't need. Bionique 100% tailor-made supplements like my tailor-made jumper, designed to deliver precisely what your body needs at exactly the right levels.
00:30:23
Ken Davies
Click the link on the show notes, use the code GSPN2035, you get 40% off your first order. What have you got to lose?
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely nothing. ah Is that the jumper that Dudley the plumber wears?
00:30:39
Ken Davies
a I haven't made that executive decision yet, but I'll shell keep you posted.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. For those of you who are Dudley the plumber is, ah Ken is starring, it's the only way can play this, Ken is starring in a amateur dramatics murder mystery and and in a few weeks time.
00:30:46
Ken Davies
People going to be very confused.
00:30:58
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:31:01
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
his character is Dudley the Plumber,
00:31:04
Ken Davies
Yeah, he speaks like that. He's from London. He speaks like that.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
which is it is the only person from London ever to have spoken like that.
00:31:11
Ken Davies
Yeah, 30 to budgie.
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But
00:31:13
Ken Davies
Anyway, don't get me doing the whole thing.
00:31:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you know whether you've done it yet? Are you the killer or do you not know yet?
00:31:21
Ken Davies
I can't ah possibly comment. You're go to be in the audience.
00:31:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am. I am.
00:31:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait for it
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
it. I'm loving our new Quizmaster music. That's so cool.
00:31:51
Ken Davies
Yes. Right.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, yeah. Right. So it's time for connie's Kenny's quiz, which is, of course, two things. It's everybody's favourite the week. And it's your chance to play at home and beat Ken. thrash him severely by getting the answer to these three questions right.
00:32:04
Ken Davies
yeah
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unfortunately, he's going to get he's he's going to get the answer to the first question right because he's already told us what the answer is in in one of his little ditties tonight.
00:32:09
Ken Davies
Come
00:32:15
Ken Davies
on.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm not going to make that one multiple choice. I'm taking an executive decision here because you've already told us what the answer is.
00:32:21
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But if you weren't listening to one of Ken's earlier segments, well, this is what you should be.
00:32:29
Ken Davies
Your own fault, innit?
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is what you should be.
00:32:30
Ken Davies
Let that be a lesson to you. yeah
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So question one in Kenny's quiz this week is, in what year did Algeria gain its independence? Don't look at your notes. Don't look at your notes. No. No. Stop it.
00:32:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
look at look at yeah Look at the camera.
00:32:44
Ken Davies
Okay, focus.
00:32:44
Ken Davies
1962. 62, 62,
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah What year did Algeria gain its independence from France?
00:32:52
Ken Davies
sixty two
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, he can't remember for his own things.
00:32:53
Ken Davies
two nineteen sixty
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He can't remember his own things. Oh, do you me give you a clue? Sure, give me clue.
00:32:59
Ken Davies
It's 1962.
00:33:04
Ken Davies
Get in there.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:08
Ken Davies
I glanced over, but it's it's on the other side.
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, can't say...
00:33:12
Ken Davies
Disappointing it's on the other side of the thing.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can have a out look your desk and see if I can see 1962 written in big letters there.
00:33:18
Ken Davies
No, you can't.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:19
Ken Davies
It's on that side. Not that side.
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, well done. Right, question number two. What is the national animal of Algeria? Is it A, the fennec fox?
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it B, the barbary macaque? Or is it C, the slender horned gazelle?
00:33:38
Ken Davies
okay
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shout out the answer if you know this at home. she Shout out the answer.
00:33:46
Ken Davies
Oh, well, don't know.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:33:49
Ken Davies
ah What is it? It's a fox. ah
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the fennec fox, the barbary macaque, or the slender horned gazelle.
00:33:55
Ken Davies
Well, it doesn't matter what its first name is. So the fox, macaque, or a gazelle. A fox, um a macaque, or a gazelle.
00:34:06
Ken Davies
don't think it's a gazelle. Because I think that's... I'm talking... We're talking deserts, aren't we, really? So...
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're all three very very popular animals in Algeria and and there's lots of them.
00:34:19
Ken Davies
good You know what going to go for? Because I don't know.
00:34:24
Ken Davies
I don't know. So I'm going to go back to Riyad Mahrez.
00:34:31
Ken Davies
He played for Leicester. Leicester are the Foxes, I think. So I'm going to go for the fox. The f... What was it? F... F... F... F feny fox um mean is it called
00:34:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Incorrect. Incorrect. No, you're wrong. The answer was fennec fox.
00:34:53
Ken Davies
oh that's i'm course i'm kidding that one
00:34:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
question
00:34:56
Ken Davies
yay
00:34:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll give you that. I'll give you that.
00:35:00
Ken Davies
ah thank you very much
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah thought he because I thought going to say he's like the fox in the box, or as he's better known as the slender horn gazelle in the box.
00:35:10
Ken Davies
Yeah. No. Oh, that's good. That was a complete guess, though.
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two out of two, mate. Two out of two.
00:35:15
Ken Davies
I can't make it three out three.
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, for clean sweet ah a clean clean sweep.
00:35:16
Ken Davies
Come on.
00:35:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I've got a horrible feeling you're going know the answer to this. I should have made these harder.
00:35:23
Ken Davies
ah You make it harder than the Fennec Fox. I mean...
00:35:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but this is a bog-standard question, and it's the sort question to ask every single week. So I kind of hope that you are going to get this right, that you're going to know the answers to this.
00:35:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So for a clean sweep, three out of three, shout out the answer if you're not at home. What three colours make up the Algeria flag? What three colours make up the Algeria flag?
00:35:52
Ken Davies
Right.
00:35:56
Ken Davies
Right. There are classic colours, I think, in the classic colours in kind of North African flags, which are green, white, which is in all of them.
00:36:11
Ken Davies
That's what the what the third colour is.
00:36:15
Ken Davies
ah Because I can picture it. It's got crescent moon, I think, with a star. I'm saying green, white, and red.
00:36:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three out three, mate.
00:36:34
Ken Davies
I can't hear it.
00:36:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three out of three. You're absolutely right. Yeah, green, white, and red. Well done. Well, you've smashed it Full house.
00:36:44
Ken Davies
That's good going. That was just a straight
00:36:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's very That's very good going. ah Yeah, i didn't I thought you might get the last one, but it's not the easiest of questions. um You've done well with FedEx Fox.
00:36:53
Ken Davies
guess.
00:36:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to give you that. Although it was a guess, done it well.
00:36:57
Ken Davies
and that was a again that was just' the straight that was a straight guess
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just wondered whether, now I'm looking back at it,
00:37:00
Ken Davies
thunderflation put it i
00:37:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, now I'm looking back at it I'm thinking maybe I should have made the the answers a little bit harder. But listen, well done. No, i was in as in like other animals like a fox, because I think if you're going to read out fox and macaque or gazelle, it's likely to a fox, isn't it?
00:37:16
Ken Davies
I couldn't see it being a monkey.
00:37:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:18
Ken Davies
A macaque's a monkey, isn't it?
00:37:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:37:21
Ken Davies
Yeah. No, couldn't see it being a monkey. No, i'm pretty... Well, I
Fun Quiz on Algerian Trivia
00:37:25
Ken Davies
could go to sleep happy tonight, knowing done that.
00:37:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, three out of three. I think that's a think, I'm pretty sure that's only the second time.
00:37:30
Ken Davies
I think that's... Is it the second time? I thought it was the first.
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's a second time you've got three of three. I think it's only the same time you've got three out three. So well done. And I hope you got three out of three at home. And if you did, congratulations. You are equally as brainy as Kev. So well done. Right, before we get on to our predictions to see how Algeria are going to get on, let's just ah remind you, or at least help educate you, if you don't know the yeah the Algerian coach, as to who he is.
00:37:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
His name is Vladimir Petkovic. He's a 62-year-old Bosnian. He was born in Sarajevo, which at that time was in Yugoslavia, now it's modern day Bosnia and Herzegovina.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's got three passports. He's got three passports.
00:38:08
Ken Davies
He's got three persons.
00:38:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so i'm not not as in three physical passports. He's got three nationalities.
00:38:14
Ken Davies
Oh, just another question.
00:38:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So question four Kenny's quiz is what three nationalities has the quiz got? Has the manager got? as the analog
00:38:22
Ken Davies
I would imagine Petkovic, he will, he'll have an Anjanian one probably. He'll have a Bosnian one.
00:38:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:38:31
Ken Davies
And you'll have a Serbian one.
00:38:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good. ah No, you're incorrect. So you haven't got full house on Kenny's Quiz this week. Unlucky. No, he's got a Bosnian, a Swiss and a Croatian passport.
00:38:43
Ken Davies
Yeah, fair enough. I was never going to get that.
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, you weren't. And it was an unfair question, mate.
00:38:48
Ken Davies
It was.
00:38:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played football for while. He had a long career, actually. He was a midfielder. But mostly in the lower leagues. And again, mainly in Switzerland. He spent a lot of his life in Switzerland.
00:39:00
Ken Davies
and Lower leagues in Switzerland is not a great standard, is it?
00:39:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:39:02
Ken Davies
Let's be honest.
00:39:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's it's just about above Derby probably. But yeah, it's not it's not great.
00:39:09
Ken Davies
um
00:39:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, look, he played over 250-odd games, fair play to him. And he went on to manage manage there. And yeah actually, his kind of most high-profile management job thus far, and he did a really good job, by the way, was managing the Swiss national team.
00:39:25
Ken Davies
Oh, well, fair enough.
00:39:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's Yeah, he's done loads of clubs.
00:39:26
Ken Davies
And they are. and decent They're decent team.
00:39:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's dotted around loads of clubs and all that. But of note, um note he he managed the Swiss national team to the round of 16, by the way, in UEFA Euro 2016, and also the round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup,
Algerian Coach Vladimir Petkovic's Profile
00:39:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
which was held in...
00:39:46
Ken Davies
Well, but why you know go around there you know, that's good that's good credentials.
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
one what Yeah, it is, yeah. yeah it's got So, yeah, 2018 World Cup, held in where, Kenny? Held in where?
00:39:57
Ken Davies
thousand and sixteen wo up
00:39:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 18, 18.
00:40:00
Ken Davies
that an eighteen world cup was held in
00:40:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Come on, mate.
00:40:04
Ken Davies
south africa
00:40:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, was in Russia, wasn't it? Along with quarterfinals of Euro 2020. I'm not even going to ask you where the Euros were held because you don't even know where the World Cup's being held. Shake the head of me.
00:40:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So he's done well there and the 2019 UEFA Nations League final. So he had a very good stint. So what that tells you is he's got that international pedigree.
00:40:22
Ken Davies
yeah
00:40:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what's interesting about this because the the teams he's managed at league level, yeah they're not teams that the household names. But that little spell in Switzerland, I think, is indicative of he's got a bit of international pedigree.
00:40:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He only joined Algeria in February 2024, so he's only been in charge for about 18 months. And obviously, he's got them to the World Cup for next year. So fair play.
00:40:46
Ken Davies
Yeah, and they walk and they walked it.
00:40:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's done a very good
00:40:48
Ken Davies
They walked it. eight Eight wins, one draw, one loss. You're going to walk in qualification, and they did.
00:40:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
job. Yeah, no, they've done they've done a great job. and So, yeah, hey, listen, maybe maybe maybe you can do something. I don't know. What are they going to do? Because we're going to move on to the last bit this podcast, which is always our predictions on how we think Algeria are going to get on.
00:41:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kenny, how do you think they're going to get on
00:41:09
Ken Davies
ah Well, I mean, they are 35th in the world, so they deserve to be there in the 48-team World Cup. But I just cannot see them. It's very difficult to know how good they are, simply because the opposition has been so poor.
00:41:25
Ken Davies
So I'm afraid I'm going to say they're going to go out of the group stages. I could just just come just can't see them getting past and enough teams to qualify for the knockout stages. So i'm going to say they're going out of the group stages. Sorry, Vladimir, but you know someone's got to.
00:41:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah I've got them down as exactly the same. Exactly the same. I don't think they're going to be the worst team in the competition. Well, if you'd asked about a month ago, would have said England.
00:41:51
Ken Davies
Who's going to be the worst team in the competition?
00:41:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've picked up and are playing now. Wales won't get there. Scotland might get there. They might be the worst team in the competition. and I don't ah don't know because we don't know who's qualified yet.
00:42:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's probably the team that sort of qualifies through the the last playoff, I suppose.
00:42:13
Ken Davies
Yeah, Oceania.
00:42:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
this going to cap be Cape Verde?
00:42:16
Ken Davies
New Zealand came from Oceania. The standard down there is pretty poor.
00:42:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
True, yeah, yeah. We're still rooting for New Caledonia to get through the playoffs though for Oceania.
00:42:24
Ken Davies
Here we are.
00:42:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cape Verde going to struggle, aren't they? Let's face it.
00:42:26
Ken Davies
Here we are.
00:42:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
but i But I think they might surprise nobody at all. and So, yeah, they're going to struggle.
00:42:31
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:42:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we'll see. We'll see. There's a more teams... to qualify before we make that decision. But yeah, I think we both got them out, going out in the group stages, mate. Riyad Mahrez, although
00:42:40
Ken Davies
Right.
Predictions and Next Episode Teaser
00:42:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Riyad Mahrez, which is a shame because I'd like to see him play more.
00:42:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps they can transfer him to a better team somewhere in between.
00:42:48
Ken Davies
Well, interestingly, we've had two
00:42:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that was a joke, by the way. case anybody's listening, I know they can't do that. Don't write in and say, what do you know about football? You can't transfer it national players. I know that. It was a joke. So anyway, that brings up the...
00:43:00
Ken Davies
that's cheap That's two teams, by the way. We've had both going out in the group stages and they're both North ah um north African teams. So Tunisia and Algeria have both got going out in group stages.
00:43:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we do think Morocco and Egypt have got a chance of doing all right.
00:43:14
Ken Davies
We've got Egypt. Both of us have got Egypt going out in round of 32 and Morocco going to round of 16.
00:43:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:43:20
Ken Davies
So we are, we do agree with Thierry Henry saying they are the best North African side.
00:43:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'd stamp on that. Yeah.
00:43:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, i think that I think that's so far those four African teams. That's a pretty good prediction. That's a pretty good prediction.
00:43:31
Ken Davies
I think so. Where we going next week?
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where are we going next week, my friend?
00:43:35
Ken Davies
Cape Verde.
00:43:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I've been waiting for this one.
00:43:40
Ken Davies
We'll looking forward to this one. Cape Verde.
00:43:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've been looking forward to this.
00:43:43
Ken Davies
Join us on may twenty the I don't know, the sea-lap shores of Cape Verde next week.
00:43:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:43:50
Ken Davies
scott we can just put We'll i would have our sunglasses on. We'll have our shorts on. We'll have our T-shirts on. We'll have drinks on. yeah but i
00:43:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cocktails.
00:43:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
you cocktails?
00:43:59
Ken Davies
drink
00:44:01
Ken Davies
Cocktails, not the whole thing going on. I'm going to do it from a hotel in Derby.
00:44:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
sounds was like i might come enjoy it ah look forward to it. We could do a live edition. ah
00:44:13
Ken Davies
Live edition from the sun-kissed beaches of Mark Eaton Park.
00:44:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
slide but
00:44:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent. Well, I'm looking forward to it. I hope you're looking forward to it. Until then, have a wonderful time. Look after yourselves. Look after each other. Thank you very much, Kenny. Goodbye.
00:44:29
Ken Davies
Bye-bye.