Derek Rae is the voice of FIFA 22 and a legendary commentator of the beautiful game. He joins Super Kevin Campbell and Sophie Nicolaou to talk about some of the biggest matches he has had the honour to call.
From the Premier League, to Bundesliga, the Champions League, Euros and World Cup, Derek has covered some of the best talent in the history of football. You will not want to miss his epic stories.
You didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition?
Ben and Sophie return to the Lounge to discuss where it all went wrong for Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League this week.
Was Messi selfish to start? Who is helping Ronaldo? Is it time these teams looked beyond their individual icons in favour of collective choreography? Did Mourinho mess up? Why didn’t Tito react? Is a miracle comeback possible for either side? Just where do they go from here?
Let’s credit Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for their beautiful performances. They certainly shocked Spanish football to its core and have started a debate about the rise of German football. Is it premature? Is everyone getting carried away with their claims that Spanish football is dead?
Sophie and Ben discuss it all in La Liga Lounge. And if you agree or disagree with any of their opinions, let them have it volley style @LaLigaLounge. It’s always happy hour here.
Bayern Munich had a nightmare end to their Champions League campaign last season. That was followed-up by major disappointment at Euro 2012 for the German national side.
In A Conversation With Cristian Nyari from Bundesliga Fanatic, we get stuck into some delicious dialogue about all things German football. Will Bayern bounce back? Or will we see more dominance from Dortmund? We cover the big two, Schalke, Huntelaar and life without Raul. Plus we take a peek at the younger players bursting through the German football scene, including Mario Gotze and Marco Reus and the impact they will have this coming season. Cristian also shares his thoughts on Joachim Low and his tactical approach in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Italy.
You can follow Cristian Nyari @Cnaryi and check out his work at www.bundesligafanatic.com. Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates. www.britishsoccerdiva.com
I am a Brit living in the United States. I grew up in London watching the beautiful game. Arsenal is my team. I had the privilege to watch them play at Highbury for many years. Then I moved to the States. Luckily, Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports have given me my weekly Premiership fix. My fix also requires the images and sounds of La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Eredivisie and the Bundesliga. ESPN came to the rescue too when they started broadcasting the Champions League in High-Definition. Life got better that day. I am also a huge fan of international soccer, especially European and the flare of those exquisite South American teams. Brazil and Argentina have been an art form for decades.
So living in the States has not affected my football. The sport will never be as big as the NFL, NBA and MLB. It might get close to the NHL! Soccer can have a place though. It just needs to realize where it sits in the pecking order of US sports. Let’s not get greedy too fast. David Beckham is only one piece of the jigsaw puzzle that has been building for a few years now.
It is on these pages where we will discuss the world’s most popular sport. It has its beauty and yes, it can be ugly too. The passion and love for the game is often misunderstood. Some of my best life experiences have been associated with football. Don’t give the red card until you’ve truly exhausted all avenues in your pursuit to like this game. And if you are already a believer, we have much to debate and discuss.
This is the freedom of football speech blog. Our soccer sovereignty is governed by you the people. The only twist is that I have a woman’s perspective on the game. A different insight with all the qualities and qualifications of a seasoned soccer lover. So call it what you want. Football. Soccer. Pick your poison. I’m still weighing up my own options. All that matters is opinion.