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Kicked Back
The one and only Gene Principe is a BIG calcio fan!
Wow, this is an episode of Kicked Back you don't want to miss! Caroline had the honour to sit down and chat with legendary Canadian sports reporter and broadcaster, Gene Principe!
To all the hockey fans out there, especially you Oilers fans, this is an episode for you, too! Whether you like soccer, or as Gene calls it, "calcio" or not, you will enjoy getting to know Gene even more. When we watch him as a Sportsnet reporter on national television, we're immediately drawn to not only his incredible talent and knowledge of hockey but also his authenticity, humour, charisma and his genuine appreciation of puns! Let me tell you, that's exactly how he is outside of his job, as well. When you listen to this episode, I am sure you will smile as much as I did, talking with Gene. His story, wisdom, mantras and perspective on life will make you admire him even more.
Now for all the soccer / football / calcio fans out there, Gene may cover hockey full-time as broadcaster but he's quite the expert in our field, too. He wore an Italian soccer jersey on this episode of Kicked Back, repping his favourite team in the world! I teased Gene a little bit about Italy not qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar but he's hopeful that the Azzuri will shine bright right here in Canada in 2026. We talked bout Gene's love the love of the game, how he didn't make his provincial team, his journey into refereeing and then broadcast. We also chatted in length about how incredible it's been to see the progression of the game in Canada on both the men's and women's side. Naturally, we then got into detail about Canadian and global superstar Alphonso Davies and how he single handedly became one of the biggest and best role model's for youth soccer players across the country... and the world.
Whether you love soccer or hockey, or honestly neither, I promise you that you will give this episode and Gene Principe a big thumbs up! You're also going to want to stick till the end because Gene had an epic answer to this question that I asked him, "Who is one NHLer that could become a professional soccer player?" HINT: It's an Edmonton Oiler... or two.
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92. Spain slay the Lionesses to become World Cup Champions!
48:57||Season 1, Ep. 92Kicked Back Episode 92 Presented By Betway!Spain has won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup! On this episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway, Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame as they discuss how Spain defied all odds, dysfunctions, and controversies as they become the World Cup Champions! Jorge Vilda's squad takes down Sarina Wiegman's and defending European Champion England enroute to becoming Champs, but what comes next for the Spanish side? Will Vilda return? Plus, what comes next for Sarina Wiegman? Will she make the jump from the national team, or will she stay? Plus, Sweden down the Aussies in the Bronze Medal match, Julia and Caroline discuss their impressive run to a World Cup medal and if they can crack the curse next tournament. All that and much more on today's episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!91. Can the Lionesses become European AND World Cup Champions?
38:44||Season 1, Ep. 91Kicked Back Episode 91 Presented By Betway!The Women’s World Cup Final is set! On this episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway, Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame as they discuss the upcoming World Cup Final between England’s Lionesses and Spain! Can England pull off the international double and become European AND World Champion? Or will the dysfunctional Spain be able to put up one more fight to snatch the crown? Plus, Sam Kerr scores the potential goal of the tournament against England, yet the Australian star has still caught tons of heat for her performance, but as Julia and Caroline discuss, this hate is unwarranted. All that and much more on today's episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!90. Can Australia Slay the Lionesses at the World Cup!?
33:29||Season 1, Ep. 90Episode 90 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!The Matildas face off against England in the World Cup Semi-Finals; can Australia slay the Lionesses? On this episode of Kicked Back presented by Betway, Julia Ranney and Caroline Salame discuss whether or not the Matildas, with a healthy Sam Kerr, can take down the defending European Champs, England! Plus, can Sweden keep their red-hot form as they face off against a scary Spanish side that is fresh off a massive victory over the Dutch? All that and much more on today’s episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!89. Are Sweden the new World Cup Favourites!?!
32:39||Season 1, Ep. 89Episode 89 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!Japan and Netherlands eliminated from the World Cup as Sweden may become the new World Cup favourites and Spain win in controversial fashion! On this episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway, Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame as they discuss the insane start to the quarter-finals as the Netherlands eliminated but not without VAR taking centre stage! Plus, did Sweden just become the World Cup favourites after their massive victory over Japan? All that and much more on today’s episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!88. USWNT Eliminated from Women's World Cup!
48:38||Season 1, Ep. 88Episode 88 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!The USWNT has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup! On this episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway, Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame as they discuss whether or not the USWNT deserved to be eliminated at the World Cup! Plus, was Megan Rapinoe laughing at her missed penalty? Julia and Caroline debate Rapinoe’s intent in her final match and whether or not this moment will damage her legacy. Julia and Caroline also discuss England’s massive win in penalties over Nigeria, however, it’s Lauren James’ lack of discipline that headlines the match! All that and much more on today’s episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!87. Morocco Makes World Cup History as Knockout Stages Begin!
49:47||Season 1, Ep. 87Episode 87 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!The knockout stages is upon us at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup! Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame as they discuss all the storylines of the Round of 16! Morocco makes history as they become the third African Nation to advance at the World Cup! Plus, Julia and Caroline discuss some of the amazing underdog stories at this World Cup like Linda Caicedo and Nouhaila Benzina! Plus, could we see some upsets in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup! All that and so much more on today's episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!86. Is the USWNT In Trouble!?
38:21||Season 1, Ep. 86Episode 86 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!The USWNT advance to the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup, but could they be in trouble for the rest of the tournament? Julia Ranney joins Caroline Salame to discuss the state of the US Women's National Team and should the US be worried about their Round of 16 matchup against Sweden? Plus, South Africa and Jamaica make history as South Africa's first World Cup victory secures them a spot into the knockout stages while Jamaica's scoreless draw eliminates Marta's Brazil! All that and so much more on today's episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!85. Canada eliminated from the FIFA Women's World Cup!
46:07||Season 1, Ep. 85Episode 85 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!Canada gets eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup! On today’s episode of Kicked Back, Presented by Betway, Julia Ranney and Caroline Salame discuss the World Cup that was for the Canadian Women and what comes next after a disappointing and emotional end to a promising campaign. Christine Sinclair fails to score in her 6th World Cup; could this be the end of the road for the Canadian superstar, or will she return? Plus, Colombia shocks Germany as they upset the number two ranked nation in the world! And, France and the Renard’s bounce back from a tough scoreless draw against Jamaica, are the French back in this tournament, or is there cause for concern with Brazil? All that and much more on today’s episode of Kicked Back Presented by Betway!84. Canada completes massive comeback against Ireland!
31:36||Season 1, Ep. 84Episode 84 of Kicked Back Presented By Betway!Despite an early scare from Katie McCabe's amazing fourth-minute Olimpico, the Canadian Women's National Team clawed back for their first win at the Women's World Cup! On today's episode, Julia and Caroline discuss the massive victory for the Canadians at the World Cup and who needs to step up for the Canadians against Australia! Plus, MORE JULIA GROSSO, PLEASE! Caroline and Julia talk about Grosso's importance to the team and the interesting substitution choices made by Bev Priestman. All that and much more on today's episode of Kicked Back, presented by Betway!