As the world waits to see if Lionel Messi can drag la albiceleste kicking and screaming to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, The Panenka revisits some of the Barcelona phenomenon’s best moments for Argentina.
World Cup 2014
Alcides Ghiggia: The Man Who Silenced The Maracana
Many people won’t recognize the name or the face of Alcides Ghiggia but he is the man who shattered Brazilian dreams of winning the World Cup final in 1950.
After host nation France had their dreams shattered in their national stadium, The Panenka looks back at the scarring experience of when it happened to Selecao.
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Fernando Santos, Portugal and the Greece Paradigm
Despite not yet winning a game inside 90 minutes there is something dangerous about the semi-finalists here. Their coach has a history of achieving the unachievable and could be set to reach the unreachable if ‘A Selecao das Quinas’ can defeat Wales at Euro 2016.
The Panenka takes a closer look at the Portugal boss’ team and tactics while paying special attention to the demons of disappointment from Euro 2004 and how that spirit is being resurrected to work in their favor 12 years later. Continue reading
Die Mannschaft: Life After Lahm
Before the dust had even had a chance to settle on the after-party of Germany’s triumph over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final, Philipp Lahm announced that he was retiring from the international scene.
At Euro 2016, Joachim Low’s side have had to adapt. The Panenka looks at what this means for Die Mannschaft and how the World Champions are shaping up without their leader.
Croatia’s Systemic Racism Problem
In the last ten years Croatia have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The majority of media coverage surrounding the team has been in connection to the racist behavior of their fans instead of the men on the pitch
The Panenka reviews Croatia’s racist history where the unwelcome behavior has not just been limited to the stands but throughout the national football association.
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Euro 2016 Team Preview: Germany
The Germans seem ever-present at major tournaments and this year, like three times previously they will enter the European Championships as World Champions and red-hot favorites. European Championship winners in each 1972,1980 and 1996, no team has a better pedigree than Germany.
