Star-crossed champions
Peterjon Cresswell visits SC Hakoah, formerly Hakoah Vienna, who won the Austrian title in 1925. Exactly 90 years ago a club was crowned champions of Austria for the first and, as history would have it, only time: Hakoah Vienna. In fact, in their short lifespan, Hakoah were responsible for many firsts. The world’s first Jewish […]
They’re back!
Serhiy Rebrov’s Dynamo Kyiv have just done the Ukrainian double, taking back the title from all-dominant Shakhtar Donetsk. Jens Raitanen speaks to the ex-Spurs striker about the conflict-ridden triumph. They’re back! It has taken newly crowned champions Dynamo Kyiv six years to break the dominance of Shakhtar Donetsk – but, under former Spurs striker Serhiy Rebrov, they’ve […]
Enter the dragon
Soon to host England upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying game with Slovenia, the capital Ljubljana has been in football limbo in recent years. An ailing flagship club, Olimpija, a half-finished complex, Stozice, where England will play – plus a local fan boycott… But help is at hand in the form of former Portsmouth and Leicester owner Milan […]
Expendables or dependables?
Tomorrow evening Transylvanian club Targu Mures visit Giurgiu to play Astra. A win would put a first-ever Romanian title within 90 minutes’ reach – only a year after promotion. Hot on their heels are record champions Steaua Bucharest. Peterjon Cresswell reports on the team nicknamed ‘The Expendables’ and a club currently swirling with rumour. The story […]
Serbia’s emerging force
For decades, the game in Serbia has been dominated by Partizan and Red Star. Now a new contender has emerged: FK Cukaricki. On the eve of his club’s debut appearance in the Serbian Cup final, Igor Teofanovic speaks to Peterjon Cresswell about taking on the big two. Tomorrow the Serbian Cup Final takes place at […]
By invitation only
Louis Saha has chosen Cannes film week to launch his new social media platform, aimed primarily at footballers. Kate Carlisle talks Axis Stars with the ex-United star. In a luxury setting backdropped by Cannes and its A-list Film Festival, some 350 soccer stars, celebrities and entrepreneurs are all a-schmooze. There’s even a red carpet. The reason? Axis Stars. […]
It’s not easy being green
Tonight busloads of Hammarby supporters are heading south from Stockholm to Malmö, to meet the current Swedish champions and recent Champions League competitors. Peterjon Cresswell speaks to travelling Bajen Fans, whose newly promoted populist club is looking to recapture the glory days of the 2001 title win. Hammarby are a case apart. No other club in […]
Poster boys
Peterjon Cresswell visits Lewes FC, whose astute, ambitious and committed owner-membership has salvaged a century-old football club and created a going concern out of little-known non-leaguers. First, though, Sussex’s own Rossoneri must overcome Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League Premier this Easter Saturday at the equally venerable Dripping Pan. The first thing you see are […]
From earthquake to Serie A?
In only in their second season in Serie B, little Carpi stand at the cusp of Serie A. On Wednesday they take on regional rivals and second-placed Bologna, whose pedigree includes seven titles. Kate Carlisle travels to this town of 70,000 souls, shaken to the core when a terrible earthquake struck during the team’s promotional […]