What is a summer without the transfer window? On this episode Nicola and Franci reminisce on simpler times when the transfer record was broken "only" 5 times in 10 years (3:40). Learn more about the Argentine transfer king, how the Galacticos project inflated the market and how shady dealings between Italian clubs were already a thing.

Then, the guys cover some iconic transfers in greater depth (21:30). There is talk of Cashley Cole, a bizarre double-signing in East London, the first big Manchester City statement transfer and, of course, a discussion on the Beckham Experiment. Will he go down as the Michael Jordan of soccer in the USA?

Finally, we can never let you go without a high stakes round of trivia involving some of the most transferred players of the decade (54:55). Enjoy!

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

If you haven't already, tune in to our other episodes on any app you get your podcasts!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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Our final episode on Euro 2004 is a swashbuckling trivia showdown between co-hosts Franci & Nicola!

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

If you haven't already, tune in to Parts 1 & 2 where we discussed the tournament vibes, group stage play and the knockouts!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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In this second part of our series on Euro 2004, we dive into the knockout phase but not before a little work on crafting the ultimate soundtrack (per team) to represent the tournament (1:10).

In the knockouts we litigate the merits of Otto Rehagel's defensive masterclass, the purity of Czech play and the Portuguese roller coaster (15:10). Was this England's Golden Generation's best chance at winning a major tournament? Were the Czechs the true best team of the tournament? And, was this tournament better or worse than Euro 2000?

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

If you haven't already, tune in to Part 1 where we discussed the tournament vibes and group stage play!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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The sun never set on Portugal in the summer of 2004 when it hosted the Euros. The hosts were poised to win with their star Brazilian coach and teenage ear-pierced sensation (18:36). The Greeks put on their best impression of a German party pooper. A young scouser literally burst onto the scene. Italy's golden boy lost his mind and the Vikings retaliated by baking him a little souvenir.

All of this and much, much more (including Latvia, Bulgaria and a Czech renaissance) on this episode of Football In The 2000s! Join us as we introduce the group stages of the most bizarre European Championships of the decade!

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In this second part of our series on Euro 2000, we cover a chaotic yet magical knockout phase which saw Golden Goals galore, nerve-racking penalties and some of the best players we have ever seen show up for the big moments!

The quarterfinals saw a solid Italian defensive showing, Big Game Kluivert reminding the world that he existed and both France and Portugal staking a claim as favorites (4:45). The semifinals provided us with one of the best individual performances ever by a bald number 10 in a Euros and chaos in Amsterdam where the Dutch looked on in shock as their players De Boer-ed it (20:05).

After a short trivia showdown (39:55), we travel to Rotterdam for a final that even the best directors in the world could not have out-dramatized (54:12). The moral of the story, you ask? Football can be magical, cruel and confusing all at the same time. Here's to you, Euro 2000!

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

If you haven't already, tune in to Part 1 where we discussed the tournament vibes and group stage play!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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The summer of 2000 saw us all listening to 'The Real Slim Shady' and watching Gladiator but the most magical scenes happened in the Netherlands and Belgium, where football aficionados were treated to a spectacle during Euro 2000. The World Champs, led by prime Zidane showed up hungry for more. The holders Germany were, well, German. Portugal had their own Golden Generation, the Dutchies sought glory on home soil and Italy shamelessly strived to put on a defensive masterclass. The stage was set with one of the deepest talent pools to ever grace a European Championship!

On this first part of our historical dive into Euro 2000, we discuss the contenders (5:49), the (sometimes) state-of-the-art stadiums (12:40) and a group stage littered with groups of death and countless surprises (20:08).

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

Join us on Part 2 next as we dive into the knockout phase of the tournament and take on another trivia challenge!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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FC Porto shocked Europe in the early 2000s, gave us Mourinho, Deco and even the odd corruption scandal! But how did they do it? What were their secrets to success (and bribing)? And are they one of the most important teams of the decade?

Nicola and Franci seek to land on a unified theory of Northern Portugal's dragons in this episode, starting with a historical deep dive on the club (5:30) before tackling their European exploits (10:30), the post-Mourinho era (32:00) and discussing their consistent ability to develop some of the best talent in Europe (41:40). Welcome to the Stadium of the Dragon. Welcome to Porto.

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

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The 2000s marked the last decade of the UEFA Cup before it became the Europa League. On this final installment of an epic three-parter, Franci and Nicola continue draft their respective XIs from the UEFA Cup finals of the decade (9:30).

Who will be the first pick in a star-studded draft (14:15). The list is long, spanning cult heroes like Pierre Van Hooijdonk to players that have surprisingly never won continental European honors with their club, like Patrick Vieira. Will a Balon D'Or winner make an appearance? What about a crazy 2000s goalkeeper who keeps getting mentioned on this podcast? Finally, who will manage and captain each side (50:30)?

All of this and much, much more on this episode of Football In The 2000s!

If you haven't already, make sure to tune into Part 1 - The Uefa Cup: Chaos, Golden Own-Goals & Mourinho and Part 2 - The Uefa Cup: Sevilla's Origin Story.

Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@football2000spod) and tell us of more topics you would like to hear. Finally, please give us a rating & review and share this podcast with anyone you think may enjoy it! Thanks!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.