Share
![cover art for Espanyol's run to the 2007 UEFA Cup final](https://res.cloudinary.com/pippa/image/fetch/h_750,w_750,f_auto/https://assets.pippa.io/shows/60ee2d477b57990bc2e77e34/60ee2d7125bc7b00129032b7.png)
La Liga Lowdown
Espanyol's run to the 2007 UEFA Cup final
As the 2019/20 Europa League group stages get under way with Espanyol participating, we look back on the Catalan club's previous European adventure. Back in 2006/07, they went all the way to the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow, where they lost to Sevilla on penalties.
In this La Liga Lowdown episode, we discuss their qualification for that year's tournament, their route to the final, their coach Ernesto Valverde and discuss what it was like to experience that special game.
Hosted by Euan McTear (@emctear), there are contributions from Sam Leveridge (@samleveridge), Alex Fitzpatrick (@Mallorcalex100), Roman de Arquer (@Aeroslavee), Stuart Spencer (@StuartSpencer92), Nick Puñal (@PERICOZ) and Matt Clarke (@MattClark_08), plus UEFA commentary clips and music from Cachowrro
More episodes
View all episodes
3. Home is where the start is: LaLiga MD2 recap
37:19||Season 8, Ep. 3No Olmo, no problem. Barcelona make it two wins in two despite being without the services of their star signing. Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) as they discuss Barcelona’s successful outing as well as the other nine matches from matchday two.While Barça maintained their 100% record, city rivals Real Madrid and Atleti celebrated 3-0 victories in their respective home matches. However, there was to be no win in García Pimienta’s first home match as ex-Betis forward Ayoze Pérez proved to be Villarreal's hero against Sevilla.In part two, we discuss super Celta, Kubo’s statement and Arrasate’s unsuccessful return to El Sadar. There was also a win for Leganés and a typical Bordalás performance.Remember, you can access all our articles and bonus podcasts by upgrading your subscription at http://lllonline.substack.com.2. LaLiga 24/25 MD1 Recap Podcast: Surprises & Stumbles
34:47||Season 8, Ep. 2LaLiga is back! Join Ben Sully (@SullyBen) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) as they round up all the action from matchday one.We discuss Real Madrid’s underwhelming start to their title defence and Barcelona’s hard-fought victory at Mestalla. Atlético Madrid’s Alexander Sørloth celebrated his return to Estadio de la Cerámica with a goal, while a LaLiga debutant stole the show for Getafe and Rayo Vallecano claimed a surprise win over Real Sociedad.In the second part, we focus on Míchel’s new-look Girona side and García Pimienta’s Sevilla bow against his former employers. There was also plenty of time to laud the evergreen Iago Aspas and focus on the three newly promoted clubs.Remember, you can access all our content throughout the 2024-25 campaign by upgrading at lllonline.substack.com.1. LaLiga 2024/25: The BIG Preview
33:40||Season 8, Ep. 1Hot on the heels of the Paris Olympics, football returns to Spain as LaLiga is back this week.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román De Arquer (@Aeroslavee) preview the campaign with some exciting new faces and uncertainty at many of the clubs.Hansi Flick is in the Barça hotseat. Can he revitalise the Catalans to challenge Real Madrid for the title? What about the impact of Kylian Mbappé? A signing that has been coming for years, Los Blancos finally have him, but how will he perform?Atleti have had a busy summer of departures and potential arrivals? Can they challenge again?How will Girona fare with key players gone and Champions League football to content with?Athletic, La Real, Betis, Villarreal, Sevilla – can any of those push on into the top four?We also discuss the rest of the clubs, including the three promoted sides. It feels hard to predict where things will end up, but we are excited to get back underway!Join us on Substack for even more exclusive content for just €5 per month – lllonline.substack.com49. Somos Campeones de Europa: Euro 2024 recap podcast
30:29||Season 7, Ep. 49We officially put an end to the season with our recap pod of the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.But such a special game deserved a special pod, which is why we brought together Matt Clark (@MattClark_08), Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG), Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) and Ben Sully (@SullyBen) to cover all the angles and opinions.In fact, Paco was at the final in Berlin to give us his insight and share his unforgettable experience. All four review the match, the standout players, and provide the keys to Spain's success during the whole tournament. They also relive Spain's post-match celebrations and talk about England and whether it'll ever be coming home...For more Spanish football, subscribe with us at lllonline.substack.com and get ready for what's coming in the 2024/25 season!48. Checkmate and into the final: EURO 2024 recap podcast
24:03||Season 7, Ep. 48Spain march on, all the way to Berlin for the grand final of the Euros, after beating one of the pre-tournament favourites, France.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) celebrate Spain's latest triumph and the sensational form of Lamine Yamal, still just 16 years old. A goal for the ages saw Spain draw level, before Dani Olmo – another unexpected standout of the tournament – scored the winner.We praise Luis de la Fuente and his work in winning all six matches so far, before looking ahead to Sunday's final against England.They came from behind in their semi against the Netherlands, as they have had to do in each of their knockout matches. Can they upset the form book and win the entire tournament, or will Spain's class shine through in Berlin?Catch up on all the Euros pods so far, and subscribe with us at lllonline.substack.com47. Merino heads Spain into semis: Euro 2024 recap
35:17||Season 7, Ep. 47Spain triumphed over the hosts to reach the final four of Euro 2024, where they will face France in a heavyweight semi-final.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ben Sully (@SullyBen) reflect on the dramatic 120 minutes of action in Stuttgart, before looking ahead to the French clash.Joselu said in the build-up they wanted to retire Toni Kroos, but it was actually Pedri who was forced to leave the field early, courtesy of a bad challenge from Kroos himself. In an ill-tempered first half, Robin Le Normand saw himself suspended for the semis against the country of his birth.Dani Olmo broke the deadlock early in the second half, thanks to yet another assist from the prodigious Lamine Yamal. Luis de la Fuente took both wingers off, a gamble that almost backfired when Florian Wirtz equalised late in the game.Extra time ticked by and it looked like penalties awaited, but up stepped Olmo to cross for fellow sub Mikel Merino to head home, reminiscent of Carles Puyol's momentous testazo in Durban in 2010.Despite the dramatic chaos of the moment, Merino had the presence of mind to replicate a celebration performed by his father in the same stadium 33 years ago. A precious moment for him and all Spanish fans. We include the fabulous commentary from Antonio Muelas Aberasturi from Radio Nacional de España.In Part Two we look ahead to the semis, talking Kylian Mbappé and the other strong LaLiga links in the French team, and Didier Deschamps' blasé attitude to his critics.We applaud the powerful political statements made by many of the French players, in contrast to Unai Simon's recent dead-batting of similar questions.Can't wait for the semis? Check out our other content at lllonline.substack.com46. 'Fourmidable' Spain set date with hosts: Euro 2024 recap
38:29||Season 7, Ep. 46Spain eventually cruised past Georgia to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. They were given a scare, but won their first knockout match in 90 minutes since the Euro 2012 final.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Paco Polit (@pacopolitENG) reflect on this big win and look ahead to a mouthwatering clash with the hosts Germany.There is praise for Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Robin Le Normand and of course consolation for Giorgi Mamardashvili. Ahead of the clash with Germany, Paco is nervous after Joselu's comments in the press conference, but believes Spain can end the 'curse of the hosts'.Keep across all of our coverage at lllonline.substack.com.45. 100% record and now onto Georgia: Euro 2024 recap
30:12||Season 7, Ep. 45With the Group Stage now complete, La Liga Lowdown reflects on Spain's perfect start and looks ahead to the knockouts.In the first half of the show, Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) and Ben Sully (@SullyBen) analyse Spain's 1-0 win over Albania. Luis de la Fuente made ten changes to his side, but the back-ups proved they can certainly do a job for the team. Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres linked up beautifully for the only goal of the game.In Part Two, we delve into Spain's next opponents: Georgia. Despite being tournament debutants, Willy Sagnol's side have been positive and got their rewards by beating Portugal to qualify. Well known to Spanish fans, these sides met in the qualifying campaign just last year, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili need no introductions.We then assess the wider draw for the Last 16, and try to plot a route for Spain to go all the way. On the tougher side of the bracket, is there anyone who Spain should be fearing?Join us on Substack for all our content: lllonline.substack.com.44. Qualified and daring to dream: EURO 2024 Recap Podcast
25:37||Season 7, Ep. 44Spain produced another impressive performance at the Euros to seal qualification for the Knockout Stage.Matt Clark (@MattClark_08) is joined by Román de Arquer (@Aeroslavee) to reflect on La Roja's 1-0 victory over the Azzurri to seal top spot in what was deemed the 'Group of Death'.While the scoreline was slender, the comprehensiveness of the display was not. Spain were worthy winners, with Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal tormenting the Italian full backs.Can Spain go all the way? Or will their lack of a clinical edge come back to haunt them later in the tournament?After the break we evaluate the other runners and riders in the competition, as England stuttered, Portugal flattered to deceive, and Germany continued to impress.Join us at lllonline.substack.com.