Episode 301: Sweet relief as Argentina scramble out of their World Cup group

For the three hundred and first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés are celebrating after Argentina’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Nigeria saw them through Group D of the 2018 World Cup in second place behind Croatia, and into a second round tie against France. Were the players really picking the team? Was Javier Mascherano awful or amazing? Is Marcos Rojo the greatest footballer of all time? All these questions and more are up for consideration.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn. And if you’d like to help support the pod financially, you can find us on Patreon.

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Episode 300: Argentina’s Croatian collapse, and how to get out of the rut

The three hundredth episode of Hand Of Pod is a less celebratory affair than we’d hoped for such a landmark, with Sam and English Dan picking over the bones of Argentina’s second half catastrophe against Croatia, which leaves them needing to beat Nigeria – possibly comfortably – on Tuesday if they’re going to advance. We ask what needs to change, when these problems first took root.

Thanks to all our listeners for sticking with us through 300 episodes. We hope you continue to enjoy the show!

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Episode 299: Reviewing Argentina v Iceland and previewing Argentina v Croatia

The two hundred and ninety-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam joined by English Dan and Andrés to look back on a faltering start to the World Cup group stage for Argentina, who drew 1-1 with Iceland on Saturday. What changes is Jorge Sampaoli making? What changes should he make? And how much scope for improvement is there, really? Perhaps foolishly, we’re remaining optimistic about the Croatia game, which we’ll review in HOP300 on Friday.

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 299, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Episode 298: previewing Argentina’s World Cup opener against Iceland with a real-life Icelander

In the two hundred and ninety-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés are joined by Helgi, one of (as far as he knows) three Icelanders currently living in Buenos Aires. We preview Argentina’s World Cup opener on Saturday with a look at what appears to be Jorge Sampaoli’s all-but-confirmed starting XI, as well as asking Helgi how it feels to be experiencing his first World Cup with his own team to cheer for, and his impressions of how the Argentine press have been covering Iceland (and he’s got a few impressions, because they’ve mostly been doing it by interviewing him).

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 298, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Episode 297: cancelling Israel v Argentina and more

In the two hundred and ninety-seventh episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés take you through the last week in Argentina’s World Cup preparations, which has included the cancellation of Saturday’s planned friendly away to Israel after the Argentine FA realised it wasn’t an idea absolutely everyone was completely delighted with. Elsewhere, the B Nacional playoff final ended with San Martín de Tucumán putting in an improved second leg showing to tear Sarmiento apart and win promotion to the Superliga, and we go through the other results so far from the lower divisions, as well as a restructuring of next season’s B Nacional.

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 297, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Episode 296: Trying to pick out the lessons from Argentina v Haiti

In the two hundred and ninety-sixth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés discuss Argentina’s pre-World Cup friendly victory over Haiti in the Bombonera. Did we learn anything, or merely have various things confirmed which we already knew? Should Cristian Pavón start ahead of Ángel Di María? Who is the first choice goalkeeper? And is there really any point in playing friendlies against sides who (with the greatest respect to Haiti) aren’t at the level Argentina will be facing in Russia?

A reminder that HOP is now on Patreon, where you’ll find two extra mini-episodes each week if you support us to the tune of US$5 per month or more. The latest HOP Extra, recorded right after we finished up episode 296, is already online. You can join the ranks of our supporters here.

You can follow HOP in various ways. We have a Facebook page, for example, and we’re on Twitter as well. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn.