Nessun Dorma 80s & 90s Football Podcast

Martyn, Rob and Aidan are back to finish off this memorable qualifying story. Italy were seemingly on a post-World Cup gap year, Northern Ireland managed to beat West Germany home and away and still finish second - a tale of glorious failure that would become more familiar for some home nations - and the Netherlands were booking their hotel after setting Spain the task of winning their final game by 11 clear goals... If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. If you enjoy the show then please leave a review and tell your friends! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is tournament time again in the Nessun Dorma marathon and this time we revisit one that was, in the words of one writer, 'the greatest tournament you never saw'. That writer was Aidan Williams and he joins Rob and Martyn in the first of two parts that tell the remarkable story of qualification for Euro '84, a tale that is almost as dramatic as the Finals themselves. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never before or since, has one league been as strong throughout European football. Author and friend of the show, Dominic Hougham joins Martyn to talk about his upcoming new book charting the years between 1988/89 and 1998/99 when Serie A bestrode the continent like a colossus. Owners were as famous as the galaxy of star managers and players as mega clubs and those more provincial managed to get their hands on European prizes and this book takes us through how it happened and, mainly through Channel 4, how we were seduced by its glamour. This excellent book is available to pre-order here before its general release on 2 June. https://amzn.eu/d/9hixGsO Our 8-part series on Euro '84 will start next week. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With season 1983/84 all done and dusted, it is time to take a sporting break as the excellent writer David Goldblatt joins Martyn to discuss that summer's Olympic Games. The epitome of an increasingly commercialised sporting world, these Games made money like never before. David takes us through just how they did, why it will never happen again, the difficulty that the USA had in taking Carl Lewis to their heart and no tears for Zola Budd. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mac and Gary are suited and booted and ready to return to Wembley as they revisit the day that their respective sides went head-to-head in the FA Cup Final. Questionable pre-match entertainment, the coming of age of young and exciting side and a controversial decider. What a way to round off the season! If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary carries his title into an action-packed Olympic year with plenty for him, Mike and Mac to choose from. Two Olympic games, one international tournament, some legends enhancing their reputations while others were just emerging alongside some controversy on the track and a rocket man over the stands. But who will be able to convince Martyn that they have best captured the sporting year of 1984? If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Europe firmly in the grip of English dominance, it was the turn of one of the country's best cup teams to step up. Gareth Dace, historian of Tottenham Hotspur in the 1980s and 1990s, joins Martyn this week to take us through the UEFA Cup winning run of 1983/84. Battle-hardened by narrow exits to Barcelona and Bayern Munich in recent seasons, it was a squad ready to go all the way. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was another season of domestic dominance for Liverpool but after two consecutive disappointments beyond the Iron Curtain, it was time to regain their European crown. Tony Evans returns to discuss the Souness farewell tour, mental strength, Joe Fagan, Roma fans and much more. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We move from the pitch to the boardroom this week as football finance expert Kieran Maguire joins Martyn to reflect upon Tottenham Hotspur's decision to become the first football club to float on the stock exchange in 1983. How much of an impact did it have on the wider game, the influence of Irving Scholar and the catalyst to further commercialisation are all on the agenda. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob and Martyn bring you a bumper episode this week as they relive the events of one of British football's most remarkable days. On the morning of Wednesday 25 April 1984 there was a chance that all six of Europe's finalists that season would be British. Intrigue, corruption, class and heartbreak all feature as we run down the day and night as it unfolded in Rome, Bucharest, Brussels, Turin, Aberdeen and north London. Was this as good as it got for the British club game? If you want some exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary and Mac join Martyn to kick off our 1983/84 series with a roundtable discussion on the First Division season. Three in a row for Liverpool, a surprise runner-up, the one that got away from Big Ron, three Scottish strikers having varying impacts at their new clubs, how Venables became El Tel and much more! If you want some exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we have a break in between seasons, Martyn sits down with the football writer Chris Evans to chat about his current book, a biography of one of English football's most revered sons. They discuss the extent to which Lineker evolved as a player, how difficult it was to hold onto that England role, how forgotten so much of his playing career is and his next career move onto our screens. Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon is available now here. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is Draft time again as our valiant trio fight it out in the sporting year of 1983. From Seve Ballesteros and Carl Lewis to Marjolein Eijsvogel and Keith Deller, we've got you covered. But who won it for you? If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We finish our six part look at 1982/83 with a look back at the career of one of English football's greatest managers as Bob Paisley left Anfield with the League Championship trophy in his hand. Tony Evans joins Martyn to examine just how he and the famous Boot Room worked, how football management has changed in the last 40 years and where Paisley's legacy is now, both within the Liverpool support and the wider footballing world. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the European Cup approaching its 50th anniversary, there were still some members of the footballing aristocracy who were aching to join the ranks of champions. Juventus were Italy's team but still lagged behind the Milanese giants when it came to continental dominance. In their way in 1983 was an ambitious German club with a sharp general manager, a wily old coach and a superbly balanced side who wanted it for themselves. Rob and Martyn tell the story of their triumph, Juve's neuroses and another enjoyable campaign as a whole. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All the focus this week is on the unlikely footballing counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire as Mac Millings takes us back to the season when his footballing horizons were opened up. Newly promoted the season before, both Watford and Luton Town had memorable seasons in the top flight with Watford shooting themselves to second place to the annoyance of the literati and Luton staying up on the final day, David Pleat's dance and all. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget local derbies. Forget even the 'Derby of England'. Arguably the most compelling story of rivalry, bitterness and drama in the modern era of English football has been that between Manchester United and Arsenal. It would reach its peak in the Wenger era but Rob Smyth takes us back to the season of five games that sparked it all off... If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike, Gary and Mac are back to provide a little sporting palate cleanser in the middle of our footballing feast. What was the biggest surprise in the world of sport in 1982? What was the most defining minute of action? Who were the standout individuals and which was the best team? Martyn is on hand to award points for argument as the boys compete to find the strongest sporting picture of 1982 under the pressure of the draft. ***If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 1979 to 1986, life was very different in Scotland. Instead of Glasgow's big two slugging it out, the centre of power was wrestled north east towards Aberdeen and Dundee with two exciting young teams and two exceptional managers. Michael Grant from The Times and Alan Pattullo from The Scotsman tell the story of the era's peak. 1982/83 saw Aberdeen triumph in Europe and Dundee United sensationally win the title on the final day. **** If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordon Smith joins us this week to kick off our run through the season of 1982/83. He talks honestly about his experience at Brighton as a whole, the deal that inspired him to get into football agency, his guitar session with Paul McCartney and of course, the famous FA Cup run, his goal and his miss. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We finish our series on the 1982 World Cup in true Nessun Dorma fashion by subjecting the tournament to a draft. Rob, Gary and Mac are joined by Dominic Hougham to see who knows their Socrates from their Sammy McIlroy. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan, Rob and Martyn sit down to round up the other stories from a remarkable World Cup. How Italy won, what happened to Spain and Argentina, did it lack a dominant individual performance and why it is impossible to have a tournament like it now. f you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part of the enduring legacy of these finals is in part due to it playing host to two of the finest football matches to have been been played. Different in style but never lacking a beat of drama, Brazil v Italy and France v West Germany had everything. Beauty and the beast. Poets versus anti-heroes. Images that still shine bright decades later. Jonathan O'Brien takes us through the games as well as explaining their everlasting appeal. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and available sooner then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just why do men of a certain age devote such space in their heart for a side who didn't make the semi-finals of the World Cup? Do they deserve the worship over 40 years on? Pete Watson returns to discuss just why this football team retains such strong resonance and affection and why the political and cultural backdrop played such a huge part. If you want to support the podcast or want the next two Spain '82 episodes without ads and right away, then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

982 was arguably the year that the continent of Africa first made its impression at the World Cup. African football expert Paul Doyle joins Rob and Martyn to discuss the exciting flair of Algeria, the Disgrace of Gijon, the indomitable lions of Cameroon and the debut of the 30 year-old Roger Milla. If you want to listen to the next three episodes of this series now and ad-free then head to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can access them all for $3.99. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They might have exited the tournament at the same stage as England but Northern Ireland's World Cup experience was very different indeed. Not fancied to get through the first group - especially when it needed a win over the hosts in Valencia - they made history and could possibly have gone further. Author Evan Marshall tells the story through the eyes of an 11 year-old boy who thought his country were going to be world champions. How the team was put together, how the situation against Spain was perfect and how they blended such a squad from both sides of the religious divide. If you want the next four episodes immediately then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scotland travelled to Spain with arguably their strongest ever World Cup squad desperate to atone for the humiliation of Argentina but with a devilish group to overcome. Author Tom Brogan joins Martyn as they find some catharsis from an interesting campaign and try and rank the five World Cup efforts from 1974 to 1990. As of Monday 23 December Episodes 3 to 7 of this series - covering Northern Ireland, Algeria, Cameroon, the resonance of this Brazil side, the two greatest World Cup games of all time and a full roundup of the tournament - are all available to download, ad-free, at patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast for $3.99. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the nights grow longer and colder, settle in with some blistering Spanish sun as Nessun Dorma goes back to the 1982 World Cup for eight episodes. This week, Martyn is joined by Gary Naylor and Rob Bagchi to look back at England's campaign. Ron Greenwood's management, a stumbling qualification, the injured talismen and how it could have been better starting a little slower are all on the agenda. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Between 1981 and 1984, something odd was happening in Spanish football. You wouldn't find either Barcelona or Real Madrid at the top of La Liga at the season's end. Nor even Valencia. Instead, the power was centred in the Basque region - San Sebastian and Bilbao to be precise - as Real Sociedad and Athletic won two league titles each. Scott Oliver joins Martyn to tell this fascinating tale and explain what was going on, the political backdrop, how both sides were put together and the subsequently more vicious rivalries with the bigger Spanish sides. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before England and Serie A, before Ulrika and Nancy and before "Life Kaiser, life" there was winning the UEFA Cup with IFK Gothenburg. Rob and Martyn recount arguably the most remarkable triumph of Sven-Göran Eriksson's career as well as looking back at a very enjoyable competition as a whole. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn sits down with the legendary Elton Welsby and Gary Cook of Retro Football Network fame to discuss a fascinating career anchoring English football in the 1980s. Elton's new book 'Game For A Laugh' is available for sale at eltonwelsby.com and this episode looks at his breakthrough into the media, international tournaments, the pressure of live television, ITV's coverage of the Football League, the impact of Sky and his friendships in football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary, Mac and Mike are back to do battle to try and convince Martyn how well they know the sporting year of 1981. The year of Ian Botham and Steve Davis. Liverpool and Aston Villa. Bob Champion and Ricky Villa. And, of course, Maxi Gnauck. Who do you think has the best draft card? Who did they boys miss out on? Head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast later in the week to cast your vote! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Spanish World Cup on the horizon and the Argentinian flag being raised in Port Stanley, fears were high that England may not even get to go. Trouble off the field - both historical and hypothetical - would shape the English game in the 1980s. In his brilliant new book 'Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s', Jon Spurling brings out both the light and shade of a turbulent decade for the national game. From trouble to tragedy and inflatables to fanzines, he sits down with Martyn to discuss the fan experience of the 1980s. Jon's book can be found here https://amzn.eu/d/c56EFo9  and all good bookshops. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the Christmas freeze of 1981, Liverpool sat 12th in the First Division table with John Toshack's Swansea City leading the way. How they reeled in the field to ultimately grab the title, the psychological impact of a feared chaser, Luton and Watford's rise out of the Second Division, QPR's plastic pitch and much more are on the agenda for a roundtable episode on the season with Gary Naylor, Mac Millings and Scott Murray. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After every football season deep dive we will take a short break into the wider world of sport and in 1981 there really was only one story for us to pick up. That summer's Ashes series has forever been synonymous with one man: Ian Terence Botham. His heroics with bat and ball transformed the prospect of another miserable summer into a famous win. How simple a story was it in reality? Do we laud the main character at the expense of the rest of the cast? And do we do that in history as a whole? To reflect on this legendary tale, Martyn is joined by Rob and Gary as they look at the loss of the England captaincy, the miracle of Headingley and the other actors who shared the stage. Before that, The Rest Is History's Dominic Sandbrook discusses the cultural importance of Botham in Britain at the time and the acute need we have for heroes in storytelling. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for as little as $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a schedule so in keeping with recent events, this week's episode is about the sacking of a Manchester United manager in 1981 but with so much relevance to the current day. The author Wayne Barton joins Martyn and Rob to talk about the weight of the job in difficult times, the tension between the technocrat and the force of personality and how brand of football and fan power are nothing new... If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for as little as $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In order to add more colour and cultural relevance to our trip through footballing history, the Draft has been applied to popular culture. Lawrence Donegan, David Edgar and Jonny McFarlane battle it out to try and pick the strongest card from 1980 containing a film drama, film comedy, band, album, tv show and news story. Three strong cards to choose from but hear their arguments first and enjoy conversations about living close to George Lucas, the Elephant Man as a Marvel character and why you don't get any famous assassinations anymore... If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for as little as $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1980/81 was a very poor domestic season for Liverpool by their own high standards but, even though they were a side in transition, they were still able to regain their European crown. Author and former football editor of the Times, Tony Evans, is on great form as he talks Martyn through a campaign with bags of goals, semi-final tension and character, a second round tie that changed history and perhaps the origins of the famous 'perch'... If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for as little as $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Crystal Palace side that was promoted to the First Division in 1979 under Terry Venables had so much youthful promise that some considered the coming decade to be theirs to grab. They could be, it was reported, the team of the 1980s. What went wrong is the subject of this week's episode as Martyn sits down the with American author Stephen Brandt to chat about his new book 'The Team That Could Have Been' and then Rob Smyth discusses the wider impact of projecting hope and expectation onto young teams. Stephen's book can be found here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Team-that-Could-Have-Been/dp/1801506639 If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for as little as $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Draft is back on Nessun Dorma and this time with a sporting twist. Gary, Mac and Mike join Martyn to try and convince him and then you the listener, that they have the strongest draft card that best captures the world of sport in 1980. But, there can be no crossover in the six categories whatsoever. Male, Female, Team, Single Achievement, Surprise and Minute of Action are all required. In this episode we have Borg v McEnroe, Coe v Ovett as well as some speed skating, a foul that changed the laws of football and an obscene gesture to fans. You can vote for your winner on Thursday at patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is April 1981 and Ipswich Town look set for a historic treble. With a talented English manager blending the best of British with Dutch flair, it all looked on. Wobbles, comebacks, replays and momentum shifts are everywhere in the conclusion to this fantastic season as three clubs grab their own share of the glory. If you want shows early and ad-free or just want to support the pod then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast for just $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the start of April 1981, it looked likely that Bobby Robson's Ipswich Town were going to win an incredible treble of the league, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. How those dreams were dashed and how others benefitted is the subject of this two-part series. In this first episode, Martyn is joined by Richard Moss of 'The Suffolk Crunch', the author Colin Plumb who attended nearly every Ipswich game that season, Mike Leigh of 'The Spurs Show' and the BBC's Pat Murphy, who was a young reporter covering the Midlands at the time, to put together the background as to how these three teams were built and ready for glory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The West Germans called the European Championship of 1980 'a hideous disfigurement of football'. And they won the bloody thing! Martyn is joined by Jonathan O'Brien, author of the brilliant 'Euro Summits', to discuss the championship that nearly ended the whole enterprise. Poor football and even poorer crowds, it was a footballing summer that was almost so bad it was good and, sometimes, those are the most fascinating of all... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following last weekend's sad news of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson at the age of 76, Martyn is joined by Rob and Mike to discuss a career that is somewhat overshadowed by England and what came after but really needs to be remembered better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

The Premier League season of 1994/95 had so much going on that there could be multiple volumes covering it. Rob Fletcher has distilled it all into one brilliant new book that has so much detail that it almost falls off of the page. He sits down with Martyn to discuss the sleaze and scandal off the pitch, an incredible title race own it and the signings that shaped the future of English football.Rob's book comes out on Monday 26th August. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

And so, we reach the end. A stellar cast gathers around the microphones as Rob Smyth returns to join Gary, Mike, Jonathan and Martyn to debate whether the 1994 Final is harshly treated, where this tournament sits in the World Cup pantheon, how Finals affect our judgement of that and some overall thoughts and highlights.We hope you've enjoyed this deep dive and we'll be back soon with a lot more to come. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

As we approach the penultimate hurdle it is time to take a wider view of the two main protagonists at this World Cup. Dominic Hougham, author of ‘50 Great World Cup Matches…and why you should watch them', joins Martyn to discuss Italy's semi final with Bulgaria but also the tensions between free spirits and control-freak coaches and the national team's performance in an era of league domination. Pete Watson returns to look at Brazil v Sweden, the importance of the World Cup to the Brazilian nation and how they look back on this more prosaic side 30 years on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

There is another bumper episode for you all this week as we reach the quarter finals. Gary and Mike are back to discuss four excellent football matches but before they do, coach and retro football analyst Alistair Bain takes us through the tactical approach of the last eight sides left in the competition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

Pundits and commentators were forced to admit that the Group Stages of USA ‘94 had delivered. But would that attacking and entertaining football continue now the real business was upon us? Yes. Yes it would. Mike, Jonathan and Gary join Martyn to feast themselves on an array of enjoyable games including one of the greatest of all time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

The Group stages come to a close this week with the punishing Orlando heat, Houghton's volley, Sacchi's gamble, the transitional Dutch and a wonder goal from the Middle East.Jonathan O'Brien and Michael Hamlen from 80s&90sFootball are on hand to take Martyn through it all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com

No World Cup has seen as many goals on average in the last 30 years and much of that was down to the some of the fun and games in Groups C and D. Mike Gibbons joins Martyn to take stock of where the German national side was in 1994, the vitriol towards Klinsmann, the sheer entertainment provided by Nigeria, Bulgaria and Argentina and Pete Watson returns to discuss the downfall of Diego.If you're enjoying your trip back to 1994 then let us know and share with your pals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nessundorma.substack.com