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Any Given Thursday

Any Given Thursday

Written by: Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist
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On Any Given Thursday, football enthusiasts Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist cover all things Europa League & Europa Conference League. Match-day reactions, club spotlights, untold stories, unique narratives — if it happens on a Thursday, we're talking about it. So from Reykjavík to Roma, Zürich to Zagreb, Bodø to Baku, and everywhere in between, join us as we explore European football beyond the oil clubs.Copyright 2025 Football Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • KuPS conquers, Universitatea unravels, Palace and Fiorentina miss out on top 8 | Conference League Match-Day 6
    Dec 22 2025

    The Conference League league phase concluded with a bang Thursday night, and we're breaking down every game!

    Universitatea Craiova was the day's top story for all the wrong reasons. We discuss the series of unfortunate events that led to their heartbreaking elimination, including the Romanians blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in Athens, a stoppage time Zrinjski Mostar equalizer, a late Sigma goal, and of course, KuPS' dramatic draw at Selhurst Park.

    That's right, little old KuPS took it to the South Londoners for a period in the second half to dramatically qualify for the knockouts and force Crystal Palace out of the Top 8 and thus the Round of 16 bye. We give our thoughts on how the Finns accomplished such a feat and debate how serious the setback is for Palace.

    Meanwhile, there was plenty of other Top 8 drama throughout the continent. Mainz and Rayo secured the bye, and a late AEK Larnaca winner launched the frisky Cypriots into the coveted final spot.

    Of course, we must also talk about Fiorentina, who lost yet again (this time at Lausanne).

    We wrap things up with a title-contender power rankings and a look ahead to the knockouts draw in January.

    Cheers Jarkko Wiss!

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Balkan bonanzas, Ascending Athens, Rampaging Red Imps, and Fiorentina and Nice's living nightmares | Europa League Match-Day 6, Conference League Match-Day 5
    Dec 16 2025

    We're back to break down all the action from last Thursday's Europa & Conference League bonanza.

    We start in Bulgaria and Romania, where Ludogorets and FCSB played host to two extraordinarily entertaining goal fests, with the former taking down struggling Feyenoord.

    We also take a stop in Greece to discuss why AEK Athens is in such good form and why they have a real shot at challenging for the UECL grown.

    Then we move on to the BIG BOYS in both competitions, stopping along the way to marvel at Aston Villa's ability to pull out close wins, laud Vincenzo Italiano for the work he's doing at Bologna, and pile on Fiorentina, Mainz, and Nice , who are all experiencing the worst of times.

    Of course, we still have time to talk Lincoln Red Imps' historic second win in the league phase, plus examine Wilfried Nancy's rocky start to life at Celtic.

    All that, and a look ahead to what's at stake on the Conference League league phase's final day on December 18.

    Cheers to Marko Nikolić!

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Club Spotlight: Ferencvárosi TC
    Dec 10 2025

    Our Club Spotlight series returns to bring you a very non-controversial topic!

    That's right, we're covering Hungary's own Ferencvaros, the most decorated club from the proud footballing nation — and often its most contentious.

    Real-life history major David Blomquist takes us back to the club's founding through its dense history to find out how it became the domestic powerhouse we know today, and also to flesh out its complicated identity and relationship with far-right nationalism.

    So a super light episode, basically! Let's all hope Viktor Orbán does not come after David.

    We also discuss the current iteration of the squad under manager Robbie Keane and why they've had such a good start to their Europa League campaign.

    So join us on a tour of the layered history of a famous club, whose political entanglement reflects a broader sporting reality across the globe — and yes, is also a good football team!

    Cheers Robbie Keane!

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    34 mins
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