Nessun Dorma Retro Football Podcast

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right, it’s time to get stuck into the football as Groups A and B come under the microscope. Mac Millings is back to happily reminisce about the USA’s surprising performance as hosts, give the Swiss some praise and wax lyrical about Gheorghe Hagi. Pete Watson, lecturer in Latin American Studies, takes us through the dark story of Colombian football and the tragic end for Andreas Escobar. And Gary Naylor runs through Brazil’s strong start and explains why Sweden were worthy of their FIFA ranking. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back! After a six month absence to deal with newborn babies and fight with schedules, Nessun Dorma returns to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 World Cup with an eight-part deep dive. Martyn is back on hosting duties as he speaks to Rob Fletcher about where the world of football was in the summer of ‘94, Mac Millings on how the US won the bid and prepared to host the greatest show on earth and Gary Naylor on the sneering cynicism at home. Romario, Baggio, Bergkamp all feature alongside Daryl Hall, Leonard Bernstein and Richard Littlejohn. Thanks to all for the support and kind requests for a return to the air. The final episode will be a normal ‘roundtable’ discussion on the Final and the tournament’s legacy but it was impossible to get diaries in sync to ensure that this was the norm for all so these episodes are a little different from how we’ve done things in the past. We hope that you still enjoy this summer retrospective and our plans for the coming season and beyond. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our last draft of the year goes back to 1984-85, the season when the greatest team in Everton’s history romped to glory. Martyn, Gary and Mac Millings select their XIs from Division One that season. As you can imagine, Gary is like a pig in Chardonnary throughout. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn and Rob are joined by Rob Fletcher (aka 90s Football Writer) to pick their England XIs from a storied decade. As well as reaching the semi-finals of Italia 90 and Euro 96, England were involved in a true World Cup classic at France 98 and reached Euro 92 when it was still an eight-team tournament. Let’s not dwell on what happened when they got there). Some players were mainstays for large parts of the 1990s: Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, David Platt, Stuart Pearce, David Seaman, Paul Ince and Tony Adams. Others burned brightly and briefly at either end of the decade: Gary Lineker, Michael Owen, Chris Waddle, Paul Scholes and Mark Wright. You can listen the pod and then vote for the winning team @nessundormapod. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn and Rob are joined by Rob Fletcher, author of 1992: The Birth of Modern Football, and Ally Bain of Retro Football Analysis to pick their teams from a classic European season. Marquee picks include Raul, Oliver Kahn, Gaizka Mendieta, Fernando Redondo, Patrick Kluivert, Mario Jardel, Roy Keane, Luis Figo, Rivaldo and Jaap Stam. A reminder of the rules of the Nessun Dorma draft: * Each player can only be picked by one person. When Raul has gone, he’s gone. * Players are judged solely on their performances in the Champions League in 1999-2000. So, for one season only, Ivan Campo is a better pick than Tony Adams. * You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter/X (@nessundormapod) on Wednesday morning to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at 5pm on Friday (UK 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn, Gary and Rob are joined by Rob Fletcher, author of the superb 1992: The Birth of Modern Football, to draft their teams from the inaugural Premier League season. Marquee picks include Eric Cantona, Alan Shearer, Paul Ince, Paul McGrath, Les Ferdinand, Steve Staunton, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs. A reminder of the rules of the Nessun Dorma draft: * Each player can only be picked by one person. When Eric Cantona has gone, he’s gone. * Players are judged solely on their performances in the Premier League in 1992-93. So, for one season only, Micky Quinn is a better bet than Ian Rush. * You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter/X (@nessundormapod) on Wednesday morning to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at 5pm on Friday (UK 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a big one this week: France 98, a tournament full of great games and all-time-great players. Martyn, Gary and Rob are joined by the Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg - who worked with Glenn Hoddle on his autobiography, Playmaker - to draft their XIs from the balmy, barmy summer of 1998. A reminder of the rules of the Nessun Dorma draft: * Each player can only be picked by one person. When Ronaldo has gone, he’s gone. * Players are judged solely on their performances at France 98. Thus: Jose Luis Chilavert good, Teddy Sheringham not so good. * You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter/X (@nessundormapod) on Wednesday morning to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at 5pm on Friday (UK 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s draft is a challenge: picking an XI from England internationals of the 1980s. Martyn, Gary and Rob are joined by… nobody, and that’s probably a good thing because it's hard enough finding 33 players, never mind 44. A reminder of the rules of the Nessun Dorma draft: 1. Each player can only be picked by one person. When Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker have gone, they’ve gone. 2. Players are judged solely on their form for England in the 1980s. Greatness at club level, or for England at Italia 90, is worth bugger all. 3. You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter/X on Tuesday morning to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at 5pm on Friday (UK 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re going draft daft over the next few weeks, with a mini-series devoted to arguing over the best XIs from various tournaments, seasons and eras. We start with English football’s summer of love, also known as Euro 96. Martyn and Rob are joined by Mike Gibbons, whose When Football Came Home is the best book around on that tournament, and Jonathan O’Brien, author of the definitive European Championship history. The rules of the draft are simple: * Each player can only be picked by one person. When Matthias Sammer has gone, he’s gone. * Players are judged solely on their form during Euro 96. Thus: Dieter Eilts good, Zinedine Zidane not so good. * You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter/X on Tuesday morning to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at 5pm on Friday (UK time). * All the Euro 96 squads in full * Euro 96 statistics, awards and team of the tournament The first rule of Draft Club is… YOU MUST TALK ABOUT DRAFT CLUB. The more people who listen to the podcast, the more of these we can do, so please spread the word. And send your ideas for future drafts to @nessundormapod. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary and Rob talk to Martyn about his book Revolution: Rangers 1986-92, and how Graeme Souness changed Scottish football when he became player-manager at Ibrox. It was a perfect storm, and for a short time Rangers had a pulling power that not even England’s biggest clubs could match. Souness was prepared to rip up traditions - and pick fights with just about everyone - in his attempt to continue lifting trophies after hanging up his boots. Revolution: Rangers 1986-92 by Martyn Ramsay is published by DB. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Nessun Dorma Book Club, a kind of sporting Late Review but without Tony Parsons. The premise this week is simple: Mike, Gary and Martyn bring a football book that made an impact on their lives and explain why. From the definitive and myth-shattering history of West German football and the instant window into the past provided by Panini to a delve into the world of sports psychology at a time when Sven-Göran Eriksson was still considered to be a Svengali and not a Scandi Benny Hill, there is something here for everyone. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the inaugural Nessun Dorma Draft, in which we each pick an XI from a particular tournament, season or era. Given the name of our podcast, we had to start with a trip back to Italia 90. Martyn, Gary and Rob are joined by Mac Millings to pick their XIs from a tournament full of superstars. These are the rules: 1. Each player can only be picked by one person. When Andy Brehme has gone, he’s gone. 2. Players are judged solely on their form during Italia 90. Thus: Salvatore Schillaci good, Marco van Basten bad. 3. Managers must announce their planned formation before the draft begins. 4. You decide who wins the draft. Go to Twitter, X or whatever it’s called today to choose which team you think is the best. The poll will close at midday on Friday (UK time). As well as giving four ageing men a frankly disproportionate thrill, the draft is an excuse to rhapsodise the players we love from Italia 90, and to make snide comments about each other’s selections. You can view our teams in formation by clicking here, though you may want to leave that until after you’ve listened to the pod. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the last episode of our Euro 88 special, Martyn, Gary and Rob are joined by Jonathan O’Brien to discuss the final in Munich and the tournament as a whole. They look at whether the suspended Oleg Kuznetsov would have changed the game, why we remember the Netherlands so fondly and whether a goal as extraordinary as Marco van Basten’s can create the illusion of inevitability. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Both Euro 88 semi-finals were intriguing culture clashes. The first match, in Hamburg, was loaded with historical significance. West Germany v Netherlands evoked the 1974 World Cup final and even the second world war. A good (if slightly overrated) match had a savage late twist that went straight into European Championship folklore. USSR v Italy did not have the same mutual enmity, but they were also a study in contrasts. The Soviet Union were experienced and streetwise, Italy young and upbeat. They met on a dank, moody night in Stuttgart. Martyn, Mike and Rob are joined by Jonathan O’Brien – author of the superb Euro Summits, a history of the European Championship – to discuss both games and give some love to a slightly forgotten great: Andreas Brehme. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By the final round of group games, Euro 88 was effectively a six-team tournament. Denmark and England were already eliminated and barely had any pride left to play for. Group A was concluded with simultaneous games on Friday night, just a week – and a lifetime – after the tournament had begun. The hosts West Germany played Spain in Munich, with the likelihood that the semi-finals wouldn’t be big enough for the both of them. West Germany needed a draw, Spain a win. Italy, who many felt had been the best team in the tournament to date, needed only a draw against Denmark to guarantee qualification. Group B was settled the following afternoon, with the BBC deciding to show Republic of Ireland’s decisive match against the Netherlands instead of England v USSR. Assuming a collectively depressed England side didn’t win that game (spoiler alert…), Ireland knew they would reach the semis with a draw. The Netherlands had no such luxury; if they didn’t win, they were almost certainly going home. Martyn, Gary and Rob chat about all four games… and Bryan Robson taking our his frustrations on Peter Shilton’s chin. Oh, and Rob’s dog Margot makes an unscripted appearance. If you like the podcast, please spread the word and rate/review us on your podcast app. The more people who listen to Nessun Dorma, the greater our chances of one day telling The Man where he might like to deposit his 9-5. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Euro 88 was only four days old when the second of group games began, but our old friend jeopardy was already running amok. After a nervous start, the hosts West Germany took on an ailing Denmark in Gelsenkirchen. A few hours later, also in Group A, Italy met Spain in what was felt like a de facto quarter-final. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, we rushed home from school (or, in Gary’s case, grabbed a seat in front of a 15-inch TV with a load of fashionistas) for the big one: England v the Netherlands, a match that both teams could barely afford to draw, never mind lose. In the evening, Ireland produced arguably the finest performance of the Jack Charlton years against the USSR in a game that included a famous goal and a forgotten first touch to die for. Martyn, Gary and Rob rave about a teenage Paolo Maldini, discuss English football’s obsession with individual heroism, question an iconic hat-trick and celebrate a partnership from the future: Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our look back at Euro 88 continues with the first round of group games. On Friday 10 June 1988, the tournament kicked off with a tense match between West Germany, the hosts and favourites, and a vibrant young Italian side. The other Group A game took place the following afternoon, a thrilling if slightly shambolic contest between Denmark and Spain. There were five goals and a fair bit of controversy, but the highlight for English audiences was a brief, comic loss of temper from the usually immaculate Barry Davies. In Group B, two of the pre-tournament favourites – England and the Netherlands – got underway. England faced an FA Cup tie against the Republic of Ireland, whose 20-man squad included 16 England-based players. In the evening we finally got to see the Netherlands, including their Ballon d’Or-winning captain Ruud Gullit. They took on European Championship royalty: the USSR. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new series of Nessun Dorma starts with the first part of our deep dive into Euro 88, the last major tournament in Europe before the big bang of Italia 90. Martyn Ramsay, Gary Naylor and Rob Smyth set the scene for a much anticipated tournament. “Whatever happens,” wrote David Lacey in his preview for the Guardian, “the 1988 European Championship should set new standards on the field.” Martyn, Gary and Rob discuss where football was at in 1988, recall the highlights of qualification – including Ireland’s favourite Scotsman and the Cypriot keeper who was almost blown up – and preview each team’s prospects ahead of the tournament. Were England valid second favourites? How much did we know about the Netherlands? And who was Matthias Herget? The draw Group 1 West Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark Group 2 England, Netherlands, USSR, Republic of Ireland Pre-tournament odds 7/4 West Germany 5/1 England, Netherlands 13/2 Italy 7/1 USSR 11/1 Spain, Denmark 25/1 Republic of Ireland 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nessun Dorma returns from hibernation for a one-off special ahead of the World Cup, and a deep dive into one of the greatest matches in its storied history: the Espana 82 semi-final between West Germany and Germany. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lee, Mike and Gary pick a couple of goals each from the legendary BBC VHS 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Naylor chats to Tom Whitworth about his book, When the Seagulls Follow the Trawler: Football in the 90s. They get into the thrills and spills of a tumultuous decade that included the founding of the Premier League, the transformation of stadiums and Gareth Southgate disappointing us in a penalty shoot-out. Tom spoke to plenty of those who were there to witness and, indeed, to instigate the changes that reverberate down the years to today. When the Seagulls Follow the Trawler: Football in the 90s is published by Pitch 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for another Extra Time and with the rescheduled Euro 2020 on the way, Mike has a chat with the author of the definitive history of the tournament. Jonathan O'Brien is an editor and writer for the Business Post in Ireland, and has written the recently published Euro Summits: The Story of the UEFA European Championship 1960 to 2016. Mike and Jonathan chew the fat over the writing of the book, the origins of the tournament, the buried treasure in its history, its most famous moments and its place in the international football calendar.Covering 60 years of competition, almost 300 matches and some of the greatest stories in the history of football, it's a momentous work and one that we highly recommend you purchase. It was published by Pitch Publishing and is available here: Euro Summits: The Story of the Uefa European Championships 1960 to 2016. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our Gary talks to the much loved Pat Nevin about his new memoir, The Accidental Footballer, already a bestseller. En route, we hear about Tommy Tuchel and the alchemy of football management, why it really was better growing up on cinder pitches in the 70s and what it was like on the other side of the whitewash when Everton played Liverpool in the 1989 FA Cup Final.And why Gary thought Pat was lying next to him in bed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a shift in focus in this episode as Nessun Dorma takes a look at the bottom half of the Premier League table, and the extraordinary denouement of the 1993-94 season.Gary, Mike and special guest Scott Murray pick over the bones of a dramatic final day scrap, with five teams fighting to avoid the two remaining passes through the trap door and into Division 1.Gary reflects on a remarkable comeback by Everton and his memories from the Gwladys Street End that day, as one of England’s grand old clubs sailed perilously close to the wind. Elsewhere we’ll lament the demise of Oldham, celebrate the most significant patch of Matt Le Tissier’s storied career and look at the shocking fall of Sheffield United, who were safe all day until the very last seconds at Stamford Bridge.There’s a lovely montage of the goals and changes in the table from that day here, with doors sliding all over the place: Premier League 1994 Last Day - Sheffield United relegatedOur Player of the Pod is Eric Gates, Ipswich Town’s man-in-the-hole before we really knew what the hole was. Paul Howarth joins us for a quick chat about the Tractor Boys' other beloved Geordie. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with another Extra Time, our little offshoot that takes a broader look around the world of football culture. This week our guest is David Hartrick – publisher, podcaster and author of a fantastic new book, Silver Linings: Bobby Robson’s England.Mike sits down with David for an extended chat about the writing of the book, and an overview of Robson’s time in charge of the national side during the most turbulent decade in the history of English football. It’s a tenure that starts in disappointment and culminates with the cathartic rush of Italia ’90, with a whole lot more in between.We can’t recommend the book enough, and it’s available here: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/silver-linings See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 years after that night at Anfield; Lee, Mike and special guest Scott Murray consider Keegan, Evans, Collymore closing in and all the other kamikaze football that formed perhaps the greatest match of our lifetimes. We reflect on the match's impact on the title race as well as our personal remembrances alongside an almost minute by minute admiration of the sheer quality on show.As usual we also select a Player of the Pod,with Brazilian icon of uber-cool Socrates our pick for this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having looked at the Villa players individually, Lee, Gary and Mike return to discuss what they achieved collectively. The hors d’oeuvre is Villa’s first league title in 71 years, achieved after a Homeric tussle through the 1980-81 season with Bobby Robson’s Ipswich and using just 14(!) players.Follow that, as they say, and oh boy, did they. Villa then won the European Cup at the first time of asking in 1981-82, despite Tony Barton taking over from Ron Saunders halfway through the campaign, and then topped it off by beating Barcelona to win a comically violent European Super Cup final. We reflect on the legacy of these achievements and ask why this team seems to be so underappreciated in English football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices