Home and Away World Cup Special Episode 2

Our World Cup Special Episode 2 is here, and the tournament is finally underway.

Graeme and Glen are joined by returning guest Howie from Colorado to talk about the World Cup from three different time zones — the UK, Australia and the USA — and how different the viewing experience has been depending on where you are.

We discuss the opening week of the tournament, the quality of the football so far, and the way the games have started to move the conversation away from the controversy surrounding the build-up.

There’s a big focus on the USA under Mauricio Pochettino, their impressive opening performance against Paraguay, what “Pochball” looks like on the international stage, and how far the hosts might be able to go. We also preview the huge USA vs Australia match, including the needle created by Mike Grella’s comments.

We then turn to England: Thomas Tuchel’s attacking changes, Harry Kane’s goals, Jude Bellingham’s impact, Jed Spence’s cameo, and whether this England side already looks more front-foot than previous tournament teams.

We also cover Cape Verde’s shock result against Spain, Colombia’s late drama, Lionel Messi still looking like an alien, Ronaldo’s role with Portugal, the rise of underdog stories, World Cup fan culture, Scottish and English supporters in the US, and the best and worst of the TV coverage so far.

Please like and subscribe for more World Cup specials from a Spurs perspective.

Come on England — and come on you Spurs.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro attempt and restart 00:34 World Cup Special Episode 2 begins 01:05 Glen’s World Cup viewing times in Australia 02:01 UK kick-off chaos and late-night viewing 02:32 Football quality finally takes over 03:08 Howie joins from Colorado 03:38 USA and Brazil watch parties 04:24 Brazilian gathering in Fort Collins 05:01 World Cup ticket prices and deciding whether to attend 05:41 Howie’s previous World Cup trips 06:47 Waiting for knockout-stage tickets 07:22 USA vs Paraguay reaction 08:04 Pochball, pressing and USA energy 08:41 How far can the USA go? 09:13 Pochettino’s squad taking shape 10:04 US momentum and fringe fans jumping on board 11:35 USA compared with Wales at Euro 2016 11:51 Pochettino finally getting time with the squad 12:39 USA vs Australia preview 13:29 Australia’s threat and possible US rotation 14:05 Pulisic, squad depth and tactical battle 15:13 Australia vs Turkey and tournament form 15:51 Mike Grella’s Australia comments 16:25 Why you don’t wind up Australia 16:52 Australia’s World Cup debutants impress 17:08 England opener reaction 17:47 Tuchel’s attacking changes 18:13 Reece James, Jed Spence and tactical flexibility 18:36 Howie on England, Kane and Bellingham 19:00 Tottenham fans praise Jed Spence 19:25 England squad depth and finishing games strongly 19:54 Vuskovic’s difficult England experience 20:31 Cape Verde shock Spain 20:58 Cape Verde highlights and disbelief 21:24 Cape Verde goalkeeper story and social media rise 22:03 Underdog stories taking over the group stage 22:31 Draws that felt like wins 23:25 How American fans view draws 23:42 Colombia vs Uzbekistan drama 24:13 Anthony Taylor lets the game flow 24:43 Watching Colombia fans celebrate in Melbourne 25:45 Colombia’s World Cup history in the USA 26:16 New Zealand’s performance and Tim Payne 26:38 Lionel Messi still looking unreal 27:08 Remembering Messi at Wembley vs Spurs 27:36 Messi vs Ronaldo debate 28:03 Ronaldo memes and Portugal’s dilemma 28:31 World Cup fan culture stats 28:43 England fans and 5,000 pints 29:00 Scotland fans drinking Boston dry 29:34 Scottish fans at Boston Red Sox 30:09 Mexican and Korean fans mixing together 30:26 Mexico vs Korea and upcoming games 30:55 Alexi Lalas, Zlatan and TV punditry 31:18 James Corden full-kit comment 31:34 ITV coverage and Emma Hayes’ analysis 32:09 Chalkboard tactics and awkward studio design 32:34 Tactical trends: short goal-kicks and drawing the press 33:13 Kick-off routines and retaining possession 33:29 Canada vs Qatar live update 33:54 Outro — like, subscribe and come on England