Episode 35: Tevez’s strop, Sabella’s latest test & Boca’s lead in the league

In the thirty-fifth episode of Hand Of Pod Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba begin with a discussion of just how much of a massive idiot Carlos Tevez is, and conclude with a reflection on Cristian Fabbiani’s suitability for the second division in Argentina. In between we discuss Wednesday night’s Brazil v Argentina friendly second leg, Seba wishes death on Diego Maradona (sort of), we wonder whether anyone can catch Boca Juniors at the top of the league, ponder San Lorenzo’s problems in the relegation zone and remark on what a lovely little player Olimpo number 10 Martín Rolle is. This weekend sees the clásico de Avellaneda between Racing and Independiente, and we also preview that, as well as answering a listener’s question on former Racing and Vélez Sarsfield star Maxi Moralez, now with Atalanta in Italy. Enjoy.

As usual, Mystic Dan’s predictions are below, and you can subscribe here if you prefer us on iTunes.

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 20: Superclásico review, Maradona’s new job & more

For the 20th episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba welcome special guest Asli Pelit to the show. Asli’s a Turkish TV presenter who was at La Bombonera to see Boca Juniors beat River Plate 2-0 in Sunday’s superclásico, and as well as giving us her impressions of that game, she also shares her thoughts on the most intelligent interviewees by position on the pitch, Julio Grondona’s Argentina mafia connections, and the sandwiches at Colón (worth remembering if you’re heading to a Copa América game in Santa Fe). We consider Diego Maradona’s prestigious new managerial position, and offer to act as underwear models for a well-known Argentine brand. Oh, and we debate the age of Racing striker Teófilo Gutiérrez. He turns 26 today (17th May), so well done Aussie Dan.

As ever, you can listen here, and subscribe on iTunes for your regular fix. Mystic Dan’s predictions are below the ‘Continue reading’ line.

Episode 19: the 2011 Clausura superclásico preview

In the nineteenth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan, Seba and Dan greet a couple of special guests to preview this Sunday’s superclásico in La Bombonera. Samuel (no, not Sam) is our tamed River Plate fan, and the four of us try to keep him from attacking Boca Juniors fan Ariel. The team discuss the key players, our guests’ memories of previous superclásicos, predictions and more, as well as looking over the action from the weekend just gone and contemplating Vélez Sarsfield’s status as the only Argentine side in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

Sam is the author of Hasta El Gol Siempre. Australian Dan runs Argentina Football World, English Dan edits Goal.com’s South American section (to which Boca-supporting guest Ariel is a contributor), and Seba is the websmaster of Mundo Albiceleste. In spite of their Spanish names, both HEGS and MA are English-language sites. Clicking each of our names above will take you to our Twitter accounts.

As ever, you can listen right here or subscribe to Hand Of Pod on iTunes. The videos mentioned in the pod of goals from previous supers are below, as are Mystic Dan’s predictions.

Hand Of Pod episode 4

Zombie, one of the resident HOP dogs

In the fourth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan and Dan discuss the denouement of the Argentine season, which will be played out between now and Monday night in the final two rounds of the Torneo Apertura. We also take a look back at the first leg of Independiente’s Copa Sudamericana final against Goiás, and you’ll hear our considered response to the announcement of the Argentina squad for the South American Under 20 championships, which will be played in Peru in January. You can listen or download right here, or of course subscribe to us on iTunes. Enjoy.

The theme music, as ever, is composed, performed and produced by Nick Ball.