Resistance

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this episode, co-hosts Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson bring their second and final part of their series on the Death Match, one of the most mythologized football games of all time. Occurring in Nazi-occupied Kyiv, Ukraine, this match between Start, a team formed mostly of former Dinamo Kiev players, and Flakelf, a Luftwaffe team, has become a symbol of resistance. The hosts discuss the brutal context of the occupation, the complex legacies of the players, and the role football played in these extraordinary historical circumstances. Jonathan Wilson critically examines how much of the narrative is based on verifiable facts and how much may have been post-war Soviet propaganda. This episode provides a nuanced understanding of how football intersected with geopolitics, resistance, and national identity during one of history's darkest periods. 00:00 Introduction to the Death Match Series 01:27 Historical Context: Nazi Occupation and Football 02:26 The Rise of Team Start 03:07 Early Matches and Growing Tensions 04:21 Embarrassing Defeats for Axis Teams 05:28 Public Perception and Propaganda 06:29 The Turning Point: German Concerns 14:13 The First Clash with Flakelf 18:05 Setting the Stage for the Death Match 26:06 The Referee's Influence and Game Dynamics 27:10 Halftime Tensions and Orders to Lose 28:39 Second Half and Controversial Moments 32:35 Post-Match Arrests and Interrogations 35:50 Life in the Prison Camp 43:10 Escape and Kyiv's Liberation 44:33 Legacy and Mythology of the Death Match Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper delve into the harrowing tale of 'The Death Match,' a match played under Nazi occupation in Ukraine. They explore the brutal conditions faced by Ukrainian footballers, the formation of a remarkable team, and the resonances with modern-day conflicts. In Part One, learn how football resurfaced amidst atrocities, with bakery manager Yosyp Kordyk forming a team from former stars. The discussions cover the political intricacies and personal tragedies, setting the stage for the match itself. Join us for Part Two on Friday, where the details of the game itself and its far-reaching consequences are revealed. 00:00 Introduction to the Yard Brigade 00:26 Welcome to the Podcast 00:53 The Mythologized Football Match 02:44 Escape to Victory and Its Origins 04:16 Introducing Joseph Cordick 05:49 The Nazi Occupation of Kiev 07:37 The Struggles of Mik Trivi 14:21 The Fall of Kiev and Its Aftermath 25:51 Ukrainian Nationalism and Football Under Nazi Occupation 27:34 The Horrors of Nazi Occupation in Kyiv 29:43 Football as a Means of Normalization 30:32 Resistance and Brutality in Kyiv 31:30 Formation of the Start Football Team 33:06 The Struggles and Symbolism of Playing Football 37:16 The First Match and Its Consequences 39:09 The Complexities of Resistance and Collaboration 49:14 The Aftermath and Public Perception 51:07 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.