Episode 143: Gimnasia & River joint top with two games left, All Boys relegated and more

The hundred-and-forty-third episode of Hand Of Pod  is upon us, and Sam, Peter and Andrés review another weekend of Torneo Final action as River Plate draw back level with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata at the top – both have 31 points – with just two rounds of matches left. All Boys have been relegated following a 3-1 defeat to Boca Juniors, and there were tremendously entertaining matches between Arsenal and Newell’s Old Boys, and River and Racing – both of which ended 3-2. Wasn’t it just last week we were asking whether it was a dull league after very few goals had been scored? We ask why a barra brava group feel able to demand free World Cup tickets from the AFA, wonder who’ll replace ‘Mostaza’ Merlo as Racing manager, and try to explain how the bloody hell Copa Sudamericana qualification works, among other subjects.

You can subscribe to HOP on iTunes or Stitcher, and follow us on Twitter.

Mystic Sam’s eighteenth round predictions
Olimpo v Godoy Cruz
Atlético de Rafaela v Tigre
Estudiantes v San Lorenzo
Newell’s v All Boys
Vélez v Colón
Racing v Central
Belgrano v Arsenal
Quilmes v Gimnasia
Boca v Lanús
Argentinos v River

Episode 63: Tigre’s escape act, Boca leading the way and much more

The sixty-third episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam, Dan and Dan joined by Joel Richards to discuss another action-packed week in Argentine football. Tigre, astonishingly, might finally manage to climb out of the relegation zone this coming weekend if they beat Atlético Rafaela; Boca Juniors’ reserves dispatched Racing 2-0 on Sunday to go top of the league, whilst Tigre, Newell’s Old Boys and Arsenal de Sarandí are all only a point behind, and All Boys are probably the most amusing of the potential champions, only two points off the lead. Questions include Boca Juniors’ proposed plans for a new stadium, River Plate’s likely squad changes if they gain promotion back to the Primera División and more.

As ever, Mystic Dan’s predictions are below the ‘Continue reading’ line. And you can click here to subscribe to us on iTunes.

Episode 31: Everton’s new centre forward, and the Apertura finally takes off

In the latest episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and the Dans discuss Denis Stracqualursi, and what Everton fans can expect from him in the Premier League, and an interesting weekend of Torneo Apertura matches which saw the championship finally get going properly. We talk about Ricardo La Volpe’s possible return to Banfield (he’s since been confirmed as the new manager there), Alejandro Sabella’s possible first-ever Argentina starting XI, some animal nicknames which may or may not be used for Argentine players, and Gio Moreno’s probable return to the Racing team (via the subs’ bench) this coming weekend, among other subjects. Enjoy.

As usual, Mystic Dan’s predictions are below. And you can subscribe here on iTunes. Please send your feedback to sam [at] hastaelgolsiempre [dot] com.

Episode 24: Vélez’s title, the relegation run-in… and Martín Palermo’s retirement

In the 24th episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan discuss Vélez’s title win on Sunday, and offer their commiserations to Lanús. Sam gives an impromptu history lesson about Alumni, the first side to dominate the Argentine top flight, English Dan tells us about an amazing comeback from Godoy Cruz away to Racing, and we take a look at the weekend to come, when five games will be played at the same time due to the relegation situation. There’s praise for Godoy’s Mariano Donda and Huracán’s Javier Cámpora, and we end by looking at Martín Palermo’s highly, um, moving farewell to La Bombonera.

As usual, Mystic Dan’s final round predictions are below the ‘Continue reading’ line. And here’s where to click if you like us so much you want to subscribe on iTunes.

Episode 15: Racing full back’s impressive showing & an Avellaneda clásico preview

In the fifteenth episode of Hand Of Pod Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba discuss what we can only term a startling revelation from Racing full back Iván Pillud. We round up all the salient points from the Torneo Clausura in the weekend just gone, discuss Ariel Ortega’s latest indiscipline (and wonder how much longer he’s got left of his playing career), and look forward to the decisive matches for Argentine clubs in the Copa Libertadores. And of course, we couldn’t possibly overlook the fact that this weekend one of the country’s biggest and fiercest derbies will be fought out down in Avellaneda, as Racing Club host Independiente. All this and more on your weekly dose of HOP.

Mystic Dan’s predictions are written down for the record below the ‘Continue reading’ line, as usual, and don’t forget you can subscribe to us on iTunes if that’s what floats your boat.

Hand Of Pod episode 7

In the seventh episode of Hand Of Pod, we welcome a new member to the team. Seba García, the creator of the very excellent Mundo Albiceleste, joins us for the first time as a regular fourth contributor to the podcast. Zombie is also present, and he’s not pleased at all at the performance of the kids in the Sudamericano Sub 20. We discuss the upcoming Racing vs Boca Juniors clásico, which will be without both key playmakers. Giovanni Moreno’s injury had just started filtering through when we recorded, and it emerged afterwards that Juan Román Riquelme also won’t be able to play. Mystic Dan has had another go at divining the upcoming results, after only getting four out of ten last week. His predictions are below the ‘Continue reading’ line, but to listen to the pod, just click ‘play’. And don’t forget, if you want to you can subscribe on iTunes.

Also a plug for last week’s Gib Football Show, a Copa Libertadores preview special featuring Sam along with a few other experts on South American football.

You can find each of us on Twitter too! Sam Kelly is @HEGS_com; Seba García is @MundoAlbicelest; Australian Dan (Colasimone) is @ArgentinaFW, and English Dan (Edwards) is @DanEdwardsGoal.

Hand Of Pod episode 3

'Try and look friendly and welcoming,' we told English Dan. You wouldn't want to see him on a bad day.

The third episode of Hand Of Pod is now online! Sam, Dan and Dan are in San Telmo this week, talking about Cristian Fabbiani’s waitline, River Plate’s uselessness in front of goal, an amazing few minutes at Banfield vs Racing, and the veterans currently lighting up the league. There’s also incisive analysis of Independiente’s Copa Sudamericana final opponents, Brazilian side Goiás (since recording this episode, Goiás won the first leg of the final 2-0 in Brazil).

As ever, our wonderful theme music is composed, performed and produced by Nick Ball.

Don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes! Clicking ‘Continue reading’ will reveal a photograph of Cristian Fabbiani, as promised in the podcast itself.

Hand Of Pod episode 2

In the second episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan return to discuss last week’s superclásico and Argentina’s Lionel Messi-inspired win over Brazil. Last week’s River Plate-supporting guest Gerardo is back to give us his take on both. We also look at the race for the league title, and the Copa Libertadores qualification spots, and there’s praise for the brilliant season newly-promoted All Boys are having. The dogs, mercifully, were quieter this week, and the sound quality ought to be considerably better. Enjoy.

The Hand Of Pod theme music is composed, performed and produced by Nick Ball.

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to Hand Of Pod on iTunes.