The Sweeper

In Part 1 of this bonus Patreon episode, which we have released in the absence of a fresh podcast on this occasion, the Sweeper team are joined by Tom Middler and Simon Clark – Lee's co-hosts on his other podcast, 'The Other Bundesliga' – to talk about their groundhopping trip to Slovenia & Croatia. Which UEFA Conference League match did they watch? Who plays in Slovenia's 'metal derby'? And why is there a garden shed in Croatia's largest stadium? Join us to find out! The theme in Part 2 is sh*thousery and the dark arts. What bizarre measure did River Plate resort to for their Copa Libertadores semi-final against Atlético Mineiro? Why are Como using local buses in what has been described as a declaration of war on regional rivals Monza? And how did the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifier between Australia and Indonesia descend into farce? Plus, a bonus question: How many footballs can Paul and Lee carry? If you like the bonus podcast, you can listen to them every fortnight – on the Wednesdays between our usual episodes – by signing up at patreon.com/SweeperPod. You can also enter our giveaways, read our weekly World Football Newsletter and our bonus blogs, and join our chat community on Discord, where hundreds of patrons are discussing world football on a daily basis. The show is also largely self-funded, so Patreon contributions are a great way to support our journalism! RUNNING ORDER:00:00 - Intro01:54 - Giantkillings & Kiribati fan accounts08:18 - A scorpion save in Slovenia14:52 - Metal-themed football clubs19:57 - Ultras & garden sheds in Croatia29:47 - River Plate's potent paint35:51 - Como's declaration of war on Monza40:59 - AFC U17 Asian Cup controversy43:30 - How many footballs can we carry? Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is brought to you in association with FIFA+. Click here to get your free FIFA+ account and watch live football around the world: tinyurl.com/FIFAPlusSweeper Click here to buy the November issue of World Soccer: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/world-soccer-magazine In Part 1, the focus is on the club game in the continent The Sweeper calls home: Europe. Why did the entire Njegoš team simultaneously collapse in the Montenegrin third division? And was there any truth to the plutonium poisoning allegations? How did Ängelholms in the fourth tier of Swedish women’s football miss out on the title despite not conceding a goal? And what bizarre record did their goalkeeper end the season with? And why did Breiðablik fans stage a break-in ahead of their final-day title-decider with Víkingur Reykjavík in Iceland?  Part 2 contains a selection of stories from Africa, Asia, Central America and Oceania. Why has a second club from New Zealand, Auckland FC, joined Australia’s A-League? And why will their upcoming match against Wellington Phoenix be unique in world football? What has led TP Mazembe in DR Congo to play Nigerian goalkeeper Suleman Shaibu in attack? How did Wolues of the British Virgin Islands come to have a misspelling in their name? And how are the two clubs from war-torn Sudan playing 5,000km away in Mauritania getting on?  If you don’t want to wait until 13 November for our next episode, join us on Patreon for our bonus episodes in the in-between weeks. Simply sign up at patreon.com/SweeperPod and join us for a special pod on 6 November. We will be joined by some special guests to talk about their recent groundhops in Slovenia and Croatia, before rounding up some other stories from Russia, Uzbekistan and Eritrea. Patrons also get access to our Discord chat community, bonus blogs, weekly newsletters and entry into our shirt giveaways too. RUNNING ORDER:00:00 – Intro00:43 – Montenegro’s mass collapse07:24 – Sweden’s perfect runners-up11:54 – Iceland’s final-day title decider16:12 – Other summer league tales21:03 – Kiwi club’s debut in the A-League29:28 – An attacking keeper in DR Congo34:14 – The Sweeper Super Sunday on FIFA+41:15 – First Vienna game with a patron Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is brought to you in association with FIFA+. Click here to get your free FIFA+ account and watch live football around the world: tinyurl.com/FIFAPlusSweeper  In Part 1, we take a look at one of the world’s most remote footballing outposts with Faraway Football blogger Matthew Eide, who has just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Bhutan courtesy of football kit designers Icarus. Which footballing figure flew the plane that transported him from Kathmandu to Paro? How did a 10-goal thriller have more drama after the final whistle than in the game itself? Which endangered species are Thimphu City fighting to help save? And how could YOU join the Overseas Board of a football club in Asia?  Part 2 is dedicated to the best stories from the international game in the October window. Why was oxygen being provided on the sidelines at Bolivia’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia? Who holds the longest ongoing winless run in international football now that Liechtenstein and Andorra have both won? Why did Turkmenistan’s government deny their national football team permission to travel to Malta? And for what unusual reason did the Turks & Caicos goalkeeper miss the CONCACAF Nations League clash with Anguilla?  If you don’t want to wait another fortnight for our next episode, join us on Patreon for our bonus podcasts in the in-between weeks at patreon.com/SweeperPod. The next patron-only episode will hit the airwaves on Wednesday 23 October. Subscribers can also read our bonus blog about our trip to Lugano, join several hundred other patrons on our Discord chat community, enter our regular shirt giveaway contests and get a sneak preview of each podcast on the weekend before it is released. Follow Matthew Eide’s Faraway Football account:Twitter: x.com/FarAwayFootballInstagram: Instagram.com/farawayfootball RUNNING ORDER:00:00 – Intro00:31 – Lee & Paul’s travel disasters02:57 – A groundhop to beautiful Bhutan18:24 – FIFA+: South America & Oceania26:58 – A golden era for Europe's micro-states34:57 – Country vs. club in Turkmenistan38:36 – Poolside viewing in the Caribbean Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 1, Lee reflects on his trip to watch high-flying Lugano take on Winterthur in the Swiss Super League. What’s the story behind their collaboration with MLS outfit Chicago Fire? What else has been behind the club’s rise to domestic cup winners and title challengers? And could Switzerland have its first national champion from the Italian-speaking region since 1949? We also hear from YouTuber and friend of the pod TheTimTraveller about Campione d’Italia (the exclave on the other side of Lake Lugano) and their eighth-division football team. Next up, it’s Paul’s turn to tell the story of his visit to Welsh outfit The New Saints ahead of their UEFA Conference League clash with Fiorentina. But what about the four Welsh clubs in the English pyramid dreaming of European football? Why is Norwegian second-tier club Bryne inviting spectators to bring their tractors to matches? And why are the Vatican’s men’s and women’s teams making a trip to Berlin soon? We answer all those questions in Part 2, which includes another guest appearance from YouTuber and Away Days host Ellis Platten. For the chance to win a Vatican national team shirt, to read our in-depth bonus blog about Lugano’s rise and to join our chat community on Discord, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/SweeperPod. You can also listen to our bonus podcast out on Wednesday 9 October, in which we talk about our visit to the Serie B match between FC Südtirol and Palermo, the Iranian ballistic missiles that made an appearance in the AFC Champions League 2 and the Romanian sporting director urging fans to abandon adult content creators. RUNNING ORDER00:00 – Intro00:51 - The rise of Swiss side Lugano10:34 - Mascots & miniature models13:15 - Campione d'Italia with TheTimTraveller17:25 - A stop-off at FC Südtirol18:52 - Behind the scenes at TNS25:00 - Alternative Welsh routes in Europe29:21 - Tractor tickets in Norway with Ellis Platten33:53 - The quirkiest VIP offerings in football38:27 - Peru's Vatican-themed football club42:12 - The Vatican's upcoming tour to Berlin Video: Away Days at Bryne: Out on Saturday 5 October Video: TheTimTravelleron Campione d’Italia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1fqinoNiZE Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is brought to you in collaboration with FIFA+. Click here to get your free FIFA+ account and watch live football around the world: tinyurl.com/FIFAPlusSweeper Part 1 covers the best international window for underdogs in living memory, with San Marino’s first-ever competitive triumph, Anguilla’s first victory since 2010 & American Samoa’s first win since 2015 among the highlights. There’s also a mention for the Turks & Caicos Islands’ 14 year-old goalie, a rare competitive away win for altitude specialists Bolivia & a presidential helicopter disruption at Guyana vs. Suriname. There’s a special announcement to kick off Part 2, as we tell the listeners all about The Sweeper Podcast’s brand-new partnership with FIFA+ and all the matches around the world that can be live-streamed in top quality for free. The episode then finishes off with some great headlines from Chile and Argentina: Huachipato’s two games in one day, Barnechea’s 45-point deduction, Talleres’ gun-wielding chairman & Banfield’s half-time coach sacking. To enter the draw to win the San Marino-Liechtenstein match programmes & the Anguilla shirt, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/SweeperPod. There you will also be able to read our San Marino bonus blog and find our next bonus podcast on Wednesday 25 September, in which we talk about the Welsh substitute who got arrested before the final whistle, the Italian coach who scythed down an opponent & Chris Smalling’s nightmare debut for Al Fayha. RUNNING ORDER:00:00 – Intro00:31 – San Marino: Local disbelief05:00 – Anguilla: First victory in 14 years06:42 – Turks & Caicos: 14-year-old goalie10:21 – Bolivia: Altitude & away wins14:18 – International window: The best ever?16:08 – Guyana: The presidential helicopter18:55 – FIFA+: Introducing our new partner22:43 – Chile: Huachipato’s two games in a day26:50 – Chile: Barnechea’s 45-point deduction29:27 – Argentina: Talleres’ feisty chairman32:20 – Argentina: Banfield’s half-time sackingEditor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you believe it?! San Marino, the worst team in the world by FIFA ranking (210), have ended the longest winless run in international football history (140 games dating back to April 2004) and won a competitive match for the first time in their history! The 'Titani' beat Liechtenstein 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League.Along with other content creators, friends & listeners, Sweeper duo Lee Wingate & Paul Watson were live in Serravalle to witness this monumental moment and talk about it afterwards in a special one-off bonus pod in a local bar after the final whistle. We hope you enjoy it - and please try out our other episodes if you do! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the thrilling world of UEFA qualifiers with delightful underdog stories from Larne and TNS. Laugh along with hilarious football memes, including features on Mr. Bean and Slovan Bratislava's unexpected success. Discover bizarre incidents like a broken goal in Iceland and follow Papua New Guinea's Admiralty Islands FC as they relocate. Get excited for upcoming international fixtures, including the intriguing clash between Comoros and Madagascar, showcasing the quirks and cultural ties of global football.

Noah, associated with a significant achievement in Armenian football, shares insights on the intense drama of UEFA qualifying matches, including his team's stunning victory over AEK Athens. The conversation shifts to Djibouti’s Arta Solar 7 and their innovative partnership with a solar company. They also dive into the unique dynamics of Caribbean football, discussing St. Kitts' extraordinary three-legged final, and the challenges faced by clubs in the region. Expect an engaging mix of triumph, travel hurdles, and the vibrant culture of football across continents.

Maikeli Lomu, an American with Tongan heritage, shares his inspiring journey from pottery in Utah to chasing a World Cup dream for Tonga. He reveals the challenges of grassroots football in Oceania and the emotional pull of representing his ancestors. The conversation also dives into the unique 2024 Greenlandic Football Championship on Disko Island, and thrilling Olympic chaos, including a wild match between Australia and Zambia. Plus, catch stories about the scandals and unforgettable moments shaping the world of football.

In Part 1, we round up all the latest highlights from the UEFA club competition qualifying rounds. We talk about two villages of under 1,000 people in the Faroes & San Marino that claimed big European wins, the Slovenian keeper that went on a René Higuita-style dribble against Connah’s Quay Nomads of Wales and FC Copenhagen’s upcoming trip to face ‘pub team’ Bruno’s Magpies at a stadium overlooking the African coastline. That is followed in Part 2 by an announcement about a change to the podcast, which will return to its previously fortnightly rhythm. We then round off the episode by talking about the ‘Pariah Derby’ between the North Korean and Russian women’s teams and turn our attentions to pre-season friendlies: the pitch invaders at Rapid Vienna vs. AC Milan, Augsburg’s immigration disaster and a playground-style switch in Heilbronn. If you don’t want to wait until Wednesday 7 August for our next podcast, then join us on Patreon for our bonus podcasts. In the episode on Wednesday 31 July, we will examine the intriguing back stories of three promoted clubs from Eastern Europe, take a look at the Coupe de France action in St. Pierre & Miquelon and discuss the upcoming Milne Cup between Orkney & the Shetland Islands in Scotland. You can sign up at patreon.com/SweeperPod. RUNNING ORDER:00:00 - Intro00:38 - Victorious villages04:52 - 27th time lucky for La Fiorita11:38 - The NK Bravo keeper on the run 13:41 - Icelandic accumulator threats15:19 - Pub team with a view of Africa21:31 - Podcast frequency announcement23:52 - North Korea's 'Pariah Derby'29:22 - Rapid vs. Milan & pre-season friendlies Video of the NK Bravo goalkeeper on a run: x.com/FootballBurp/status/1814063958224978365 Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.