Episode 247: Summer madness

What on Earth is going on in the world of Argentine football? The season was supposed to get underway on the second weekend of February and was only finally scheduled at all last week, and now we have some dates and kick off times it’s still not been anything like clear whether this weekend’s matches will even be played. Sam, English Dan and Andrés are back for the first HOP of 2017, and even by the standards set by Argentine football since we started recording in 2010, this one might get eye-wateringly confusing. Allow us to guide you through the summer break in Argentina, the vested interests, the arguments and the recriminations, as we attempt to explain to the layperson just what the bloody hell is happening (and, indeed, work that out ourselves). This episode is out of date before it’s even online – there was no way we could avoid that – but the uncertainty over whether games will take place is still just as strong a mere 24 hours from the supposed start of action. The chaos is back.

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

Mystic Sam’s fifteenth round predictions (assuming it happens…)
Central v Godoy Cruz
San Lorenzo v Belgrano
Temperley v Tigre
Vélez v Estudiantes
Aldosivi v Atl. Rafaela
Racing v Lanús
Atl. Tucumán v Sarmiento
Colón v Olimpo
Defensa y Justicia v Newell’s
Gimnasia v Quilmes
River v Unión
Banfield v Boca
Patronato v Arsenal
San Martín v Huracán

Episode 237: Tearing up the formbook, and yet more AFA nonsense

The two hundred and thirty-seventh episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés convene on a rainy evening in Buenos Aires to discuss a weekend in which a storm blew through the Argentine formbook: three previously unbeaten members of the Big Five lost for the first time this season, as did Colón – who also conceded for the first time in this campaign. Estudiantes’ defence was finally breached as well, although they managed to win anyway in a wildly entertaining 3-2 romp over Rosario Central, whilst Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo both made clear their title ambitions are for real with wins of their own. Off the pitch there’s yet more chaos at the AFA, with people accusing other people of failing to comply by FIFA directives in spite of a) the people in question having been put in place by FIFA and b) the directives in question being NINE YEARS OLD. There’s never a dull moment in the world of Argentine football administration…

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

Mystic Sam’s seventh round predictions (last week Mystic Peter got 4/15)
Sarmiento v Olimpo
Talleres v Defensa y Justicia
Quilmes v Lanús
Godoy Cruz v Belgrano
Temperley v Independiente
Colón v Patronato
Racing v Arsenal
River v Atl. Rafaela
Gimnasia v Huracán
Banfield v Vélez
Central v Newell’s
Tigre v Unión
San Lorenzo v Estudiantes
Atl. Tucumán v Boca
Aldosivi v San Martín

Episode 223: A very dull round of derbies, Copa Libertadores knockout rounds begin & more

The two hundred and twenty-third episode of Hand Of Pod was recorded by Sam and Andrés in a rather cold living room, because it’s chilly in Buenos Aires at present and no gas in Sam’s building means no central heating in Sam’s building. The dedication we show to this podcast… anyway, we discuss a weekend of clásico action in which not very much happened, apart from one or two appalling fouls and some decent goals (but not many of them at all). Other topics covered are the AFA’s need for new TV rights and national team kit deals (they need money from anyone who’ll give it to them, so if you’ve ever wanted to sponsor a major international football team…), and the chances Argentine clubs have in the Copa Libertadores.

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

Mystic La Liga Gav’s predictions for round 13 (last week Mystic Phil got 6/15)
Aldosivi v Unión
Estudiantes v Newell’s
Colón v Olimpo
Patronato v Atlético de Rafaela
Independiente v San Lorenzo
Belgrano v Quilmes
River v Vélez
Godoy Cruz v Arsenal
Huracán v Racing
Defensa y Justicia v San Martín
Argentinos v Boca
Central v Gimnasia
Tigre v Lanús
Temperley v Atlético Tucumán
Banfield v Sarmiento

Episode 156: River Plate extend their lead & more nonsense from the AFA

In the hundred and fifty-sixth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Peter and Andrés are joined, surprisingly, by Neil Clack and we discuss a week of enormous confusion in the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association; dates have been moved back and forth for not one, not two, but three different competitions, but we give you the definitive say on when the superclásico will be played: it’s the 5th October. Well, it was when we recorded anyway. Who knows when it will be now. We also talk about River Plate’s continued impressive performances, ask whether Boca are improving in anything more than results, spend a good deal of time laughing at Racing (well, they make it so easy for us) and tack on a quick bit of chat at the end about Colombia’s World Cup captain Mario Yepes, who looks like he’s joining San Lorenzo.

As ever, Mystic Sam’s predictions for this weekend are below (by the time this episode was uploaded, Gimnasia v Defensa y Justicia had already come and gone, and landed him a correct prediction with Defensa running out 3-0 winners). You can subscribe to us on iTunes and Stitcher, and follow us on Twitter too.

Mystic Sam’s seventh round predictions
Gimnasia v Defensa y Justicia
San Lorenzo v Godoy Cruz
Tigre v Central
Atlético v Estudiantes
Independiente v Quilmes
Lanús v Banfield
Belgrano v Vélez
Boca v Racing
Arsenal v River
Newell’s v Olimpo

Episode 151: previewing the Torneo de Transición and more

In the hundred-and-fifty-first episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Santi, Andrés and Peter have a lot of explaining to do. That’s because the new season is upon us, and it behoves us to explain why we’re entering a ‘transitional championship’ and what exactly we’re transitioning to (erm, we don’t really know at this stage, and the AFA don’t seem 100% decided either). We ask which sides did best in the winter transfer window, which sides did worse, and whether Racing can once again flatter to deceive having apparently strengthened impressively. Can River Plate defend their title? Will Boca Juniors finally step out of Juan Román Riquelme’s shadow? These and many more issues are dealt with. We also take a look at San Lorenzo’s Copa Libertadores final, which is currently 1-1 after the first leg, with the second leg to come in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

Mystic Sam’s predictions for the first round are below. Don’t forget your subscription options: we’re available on iTunes or Stitcher, and are also on Twitter.

Mystic Sam’s first round predictions
Godoy Cruz v Banfield
Central v Quilmes
Arsenal v Estudiantes
Defensa y Justicia v Racing
Independiente v Atlético
Boca v Newell’s
Gimnasia v River
Tigre v Vélez
Lanús v Belgrano

Episode 150: Julio Grondona is dead, and San Lorenzo are Libertadores finalists

One story dominates the hundred-and-fiftieth episode of Hand Of Pod, and we make no apologies for it: Sam and Andrés mark a landmark episode with discussion of Julio Grondona’s exit from his position as head of the Argentine FA, which came to pass in the manner he frequently said it would; in a coffin. The FIFA Vice-President died on Wednesday afternoon, and we ask what the consequences will be for the AFA and for FIFA. If you don’t believe in speaking ill of the dead, you might want to avoid this one. We also congratulate San Lorenzo on reaching their first ever Copa Libertadores final, ask whether outgoing Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella was the man who killed Grondona (sort of), and answer a few listeners’ questions. Thanks to all our listeners for helping us reach this milestone; here’s to another 150 episodes!

Don’t forget you can subscribe to HOP on iTunes or on Stitcher, and even follow us on Twitter if you so please.