On The Continent - A European Football Podcast — Podkasts

Inside Shakhtar Donetsk's extraordinary 2025/26 season 23.07.2026 38min

Shakhtar Donetsk are a football club like no other. Displaced from their home, they still compete at the top level of European football and dominate domestically. But that's just half the story.In this special edition of On The Continent, Andy Brassell takes you inside this extraordinary club to watch Shakhtar's season unfold and follow its latest crop of Brazilian talents – Pedrinho, Alisson and Eguinaldo – as they develop under their head coach, the legendary Arda Turan.You'll hear from players, people on the ground in Ukraine, and sporting director Darijo Srna. Join us for European football's most remarkable tale.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask OTC: Why do so many elite managers fail at international football? 21.07.2026 34min

Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann, Ronald Koeman. These managers have proved themselves at club level, but why do they falter in international football? What are the biggest differences between coaching a national team and a club?Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge are here to answer your World Cup questions! Which players have boosted their chances of a big move this summer? Was the 48-team format a success? Could regular club matches be split into four quarters?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain win the World Cup! | 2026 FIFA World Cup 20.07.2026 41min

It's sweet victory for the European continent at this year's World Cup, with Spain taking the honours. Congratulations to them and the team Luis de la Fuente so brilliantly built. So, just how did he do it? And might they be the side to dominate international football for the next decade?David Cartlidge sits down with Dotun and Andy to discuss that. Plus, how do we reflect on the tournament as a whole? Are we pleased with the performances of our European sides at the World Cup? Are we witnessing a re-forming of the hierarchy in European football? And how do we assess FIFA's role in all of this?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final is set | 2026 FIFA World Cup 16.07.2026 39min

Our 2026 World Cup final is locked in. An incredible performance by Luis de la Fuente's Spain sets up a tantalising final against Argentina.Nicky Bandini joins Andy to break down what went right for Spain and what went very, very wrong for Didier Deschamps and France. Plus, as Lionel Scaloni's side battle past England, we debate whether they should be starting Lautaro Martínez or Julián Alvarez alongside Lionel Messi in the final.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unstoppable forces and immovable objects | 2026 FIFA World Cup 13.07.2026 55min

The semi-finals of the World Cup are upon us! First up is a clash which really could be a final in itself, France vs Spain. Will Lamine Yamal take it up a gear, or will the enduring force of Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise prove that the French have more firepower than the Spanish?David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to preview that ginormous fixture. Meanwhile, two of the tournament's main underachievers have already moved on to their new shiny things. Are Jorge Jesus and Jürgen Klopp the right men to improve Portugal and Germany's respective fortunes?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The return of old friends | 2026 FIFA World Cup 09.07.2026 40min

It's a week of reunions over these World Cup quarter-finals. First up, a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco. It's funny how much (and also how little) can change in four years. Plus, Borussia Dortmund's two great exports of recent times face up as Erling Haaland's Norway prepares for battle with Jude Bellingham's England.Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to dive into those two fixtures. Elsewhere, Belgium face their toughest test against Spain, while their former coach Roberto Martínez leaves Portugal. Has he really wasted two golden generations?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Norway stun Brazil, France battle past Paraguay & the Iberian derby | 2026 FIFA World Cup 06.07.2026 39min

Well, would you look at that! Norway, appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, have knocked five-time world champions Brazil out of the World Cup. But... are we really in a position to call that a shock?Jonathan Johnson joins Dotun and Andy to debate that and discuss the problems they may cause England in the quarter-finals. Plus, the French juggernaut keeps on moving, despite Paraguay's best efforts, and we have a proper battle of the big boys as Portugal take on Spain tonight.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belgium squeeze through, Mbappé's brilliance, and the big boys crash out | 2026 FIFA World Cup 02.07.2026 53min

Belgium were down and out... until they weren't! Romelu Lukaku was the man to kick-start the Belgian revival in Seattle. But are they doing anything more than just covering the cracks?David Cartlidge joins Dotun and Andy to dissect last night's action. Plus, Kylian Mbappé's brilliance shines through once again and we have our first major European casualties! Despair for Germany as they lose on penalties to Paraguay, but can anybody really say they're surprised? And after Ronald Koeman's Dutch exit, will we see similar from Julian Nagelsmann?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How FC Augsburg are capitalising on the World Cup | 2026 FIFA World Cup 01.07.2026 38min

If you’ve ever wondered how elite clubs in Europe use the World Cup to improve things back home, you’ve come to the right place!On today’s OTC Special, Andy is joined by FC Augsburg CEO Michael Ströll and Sporting Director Benjamin Weber to discuss how they are utilising the world’s biggest tournament to benefit their club.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bring on the jeopardy | 2026 FIFA World Cup 29.06.2026 49min

The 72-game group stage of the 2026 World Cup has come to an end and the knockouts have begun! So, after we've seen what our European sides have to offer, how are we feeling about their chances?Jonathan Johnson joins Dotun and Andy to assess the main runners and riders (all still standing... for now). Are France and Spain still our favourites? Have Germany and the Netherlands been a pleasant surprise? And can we still call Portugal a contender for the tournament?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is HE really back? | 2026 FIFA World Cup 25.06.2026 35min

Love him or loathe him, you simply cannot ignore Cristiano Ronaldo. "I'm back" was what he exclaimed down the camera lens after his two goals against Uzbekistan, but is he *really* back?David Cartlidge and Nicky Bandini join Dotun to debate that. Plus, Switzerland top Group B with victory over Canada. Can this tournament's quiet achievers trouble the knockout rounds? And finally, Norway are much more than just Erling Haaland... but he is pretty damn brilliant. What sort of statement would victory over France be for them?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The art of sangfroid | 2026 FIFA World Cup 22.06.2026 39min

Luckily for Spain, the arrival gates in the US were still open before their second game of this year's World Cup. After failing to put in a credible display against Cape Verde, they certainly righted that wrong with a convincing win against Saudi Arabia.Andy and Lars Sivertsen dial in from Dallas to tell Dotun what that comprehensive result could mean for their tournament. Plus, Belgian falter again, Germany squeeze past Ivory Coast, and Türkiye are out!Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The age-old Cristiano Ronaldo question | 2026 FIFA World Cup 18.06.2026 44min

Another major tournament for Portugal, another debate on whether Cristiano Ronaldo should be starting for them. After his sub-par performance in Portugal's 1-1 World Cup draw with DR Congo, Lars Sivertsen joins Dotun and Andy to once again question why Roberto Martínez is sticking with his 41-year-old captain up top.Elsewhere, France get the better of Senegal in a thrilling encounter. Could this be the Kylian Mbappé World Cup? And Norway are well underway, but not without Iraq making it tricky for them.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Dutch ding-dong, Germany thrash Curaçao & turbulence for Türkiye | 2026 FIFA World Cup 15.06.2026 38min

The World Cup is up and running! We were treated to an excellent selection of games over the opening weekend, but was Netherlands 2-2 Japan the pick of the bunch?David Cartlidge and Jonathan Johnson join Dotun to dissect that match. Plus, Germany dominate Curaçao (but not without a brief scare) & Türkiye start their World Cup campaign in the worst possible way with defeat to Australia.Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask OTC: Who will win the World Cup? | 2026 FIFA World Cup 12.06.2026 25min

The World Cup is underway, and while a record 48 countries began the tournament, only one will lift the trophy. Most people think it’s a two-horse race between France and Spain - but who will emerge victorious?Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to answer that, and more of your World Cup questions! Which group will be the most competitive? What unknown player will make the biggest splash? Is there any European food that America has made... better?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The two sides of a World Cup | 2026 FIFA World Cup 11.06.2026 46min

By now we're well used to World Cups build-ups being overshadowed by controversies in the host country, or in this case countries. Usually, those issues begin to fade from the headlines once the football starts, but is that really going to be the case this year?Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to discuss the plethora of issues affecting this year's World Cup. Meanwhile, of course, there is still a tournament to be played. How are Europe's sides shaping up ahead of kick-off at the Azteca tonight?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The France Preview | 2026 FIFA World Cup 10.06.2026 31min

Didier Deschamps' titans enter this year's World Cup as the team to beat. Champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, Les Bleus are the favourites in North America. But can they reclaim this most coveted crown?Andy is joined by OTC regular Jonathan Johnson to dissect France's star-studded squad. Is Kylian Mbappé's influence helpful - or harmful? How do Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué fit into a stacked front line? What will be sacrificed for glory?Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Spain Preview | 2026 FIFA World Cup 09.06.2026 33min

Spain made history in 2010 when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner delivered their first World Cup. Sixteen years later, a new generation of La Roja head to North America - but how do they emulate the success of those that came before them?Andy is joined by Spanish football journalist Álvaro Romeo to chronicle how Luis de la Fuente transformed Spain and how their tactical unpredictability makes them a nightmare to face. Tune in as we take a closer look at one of Europe's most talked-about teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup!Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Preview | 2026 FIFA World Cup 08.06.2026 36min

With the World Cup just days away, we turn our attention to one of the unlikely stories at this summer's tournament: the return of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Andy is joined by Bosnian football writer Saša Ibrulj as they chart the team's recent history of underperforming and how they've fallen at the final qualification hurdle so many times. But, thanks in part to the excellent work of coach Sergej Barbarez, they've turned from a team of nearly-men to a group of fearless youngsters who have shown they can cut it at the top level. Join us for a fascinating overview of one of European football's unsung heroes! Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Norway Preview | 2026 FIFA World Cup 05.06.2026 37min

In the first of our series of nation previews ahead of the World Cup, we take a close look at the summer's popular dark horses: Norway. Back on the world stage for the first time since 1998 - and with some big players in their ranks - the Norwegians are certainly getting a lot of attention. But can this golden generation handle the pressure? Dotun and Andy are joined by the best person to ask, Lars Sivertsen!Lars discusses the importance of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, the exciting in-form players across this Norway team, and the remarkable journey of their often under-fire manager, Ståle Solbakken. And let's hope that his predictions of 'big man big man big man' up top come true...Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.