On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

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!*** 

The start of North America's first World Cup in over 30 years is just days away, but despite the excitement reverberating around the world ahead of kick-off at the Azteca, are the three host nations really ready to host the world's game on their turf?North American football expert Jon Arnold joins Dotun and Andy to discuss how things are feeling on the ground in the US, Canada & Mexico. Plus, he gives his thoughts on how the CONCACAF nations will get on against their transatlantic neighbours.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!***