Got Got Need

Portugal 3 - 3 Spain, 2018 - Season 2, Episode 13

In our season finale we cap off our Greatest Games mini-series with Portugal 3 - 3 Spain from the Russian World Cup in 2018. Two teams vying to set the record straight after dismal outings in the tournament four years prior - one side in utter disarray, the other riding a wave of recent European success. This game was a frentenic 90 minutes of glorious football surrounded by bags of narrative. The perfect concoction.

A magnificent team performance from Spain is matched by a splendid individual performance by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is Portugal vs Spain from 2018.

Germany vs Italy, 2006 - Season 2, Episode 12

In our first of a pair of episodes to finish the season we're picking our greatest games and personal favourites - first up, Chris has opted for the World Cup semi-final in 2006 between the hosts, Germany, and Italy.

Die Mannschaft have ridden a wave of ferocious home support all the way to a semi-final berth while the green shots of Das Reboot are starting to show, while the Italians have thrived against all odds having entered the competition on the back of a calciopoli scandal that rocked the national game. A tense and nervy 118 minutes was followed by two quickfire goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero to send Italy through to face France in the final a few days later - and we all know what happened there.

This is Germany vs Italy at World Cup 2006.

England's Win in '66 - Season 2, Episode 11

The lonely star sitting atop the Three Lions - this week we get stuck into the summer of '66 and the World Cup in England. Nobby Stiles' terrible tackling, the pre-match eating habits of Jimmy Greaves and which version of Wembley would cook the best lasagne.

This is England's win in '66.

As discussed on this week's podcast, the link below will take you to the donation page of the Alzheimer's Society. If you'd like to make a contribution to this or any similar organisation, we'd really appreciate it.

Belgium's Golden Generation, 2018 - Season 2, Episode 10

The 2018 World Cup in Russia saw the Belgium eclipse their best performance at a World Cup to date and capture a bronze medal. A side - and squad - littered with stars and talented understudies lit up football's showpiece event, putting nations like England, Japan and Brazil to the sword along the way.

Touching on 'Project 2000', a frank and thorough root and branch review of the national set-up, and world-beaters like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois - this is Belgium's Golden Generation.

Jack Charlton's Ireland, 1990 & 1994 - Season 2, Episode 9

In 1986 the FAI did the unthinkable and handed over the keys to the national set-up to an Englishman, the late, great Jack Charlton. Over a ten year period the older of the Charlton brothers dragged the ROI from the international wilderness to centre stage as they qualified for their first major tournament, their first World Cup finals appearance and their best-ever finish to date.

This is Jack Charlton's Ireland.

The Miracle of Bern, 1954 - Season 2, Episode 8

When you look down the list of nations to have won the World Cup trophy, the omission of Hungary in the 1950s is a glaring one. The Mighty Magyars were the greatest side the world had ever seen as they dominated the middle of the 20th century - from 1950 to 1955 they played 49 times losing just once. Unfortunately, that one solitary loss was in the World Cup final against an unfancied West German side riding the wave of a post-war rebuild.

This is the Miracle of Bern.

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 12 - Roger Milla’s Dancing, 1990

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 11 - Manuel Negrete’s Scissor-Kick Vs Bulgaria, 1986

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 10 - Gazza’s Tears, 1990

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 9 - Rijkaard Spits at Völler, 1990

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 8 - Graham Poll’s Three Bookings, 2006

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 7 - Diana Ross Misses Her Penalty, 1994

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 6 - Kuwait Refuse To Play On, 1982

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 5 - Ramón Quiroga Gets Booked, 1978

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 4 - Esteban Cambiasso vs Serbia & Montenegro, 2006

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 3 - Suarez Bites Chiellini, 2014

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 2 - Oleg Salenko’s Five Goal Game, 1994

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

12 Days of Got Got Need-mas: Day 1 - Milan Mohammadi's Throw In vs Spain, 2018

Step into Christmas with Got Got Need and our 12 days of World Cup Christmas!

El Dios, 1990 & 1994 - Season 2, Episode 7

Part two of our look into the World Cup exploits of the late Diego Maradona. This time we run through the campaigns of 1990 and 1994, taking in the sights of Naples, Rome and Foxborough, Massachusetts. 

El Dios, 1982 & 1986 - Season 2, Episode 6

Part one of our two-part look at the World Cup career of Diego Maradona takes us through the searing heat of Spain and Mexico. During the summers of 1982 and 1986 we saw two sides of Maradona: the blunted creativity and the flourishing genius.

Join us as we revel in the delights that Diego delivered on the world stage. This is our tribute to El Diego.

Sweden vs Bulgaria, 1994 - Season 2, Episode 5

Admittedly not the most glamourous tie from the 1994 World Cup, but these two nations defied the odds to reach the semi-final and do battle for the bronze medal during a miraculous American summer.

In a podcast about men with too much or too little hair, we dissect the journeys of these two underdogs and discuss what happened when they met in the Third Place Play-Off. This is our first stop off at USA '94 and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Battle of Nuremberg - Season 2, Episode 4

Portugal 1 - 0 Netherlands, World Cup 2006 Last 16 tie.

Less a football game, more a sanctioned fistfight on grass. This week we talk through each and every booking and sending off during this shitshow of a knock-out tie.  Who let this happen?

The Game of the Century - Season 2, Episode 3 

Italy 4 - 3 West Germany, World Cup Semi-Final, 17th June 1970. 

Dubbed The Game of the Century, this World Cup semi-final between two European heavyweights was the epitome of a ding-dong battle. Both sides held the lead, both sides lost the lead - there were plenty of goals, penalty shouts, defensive mishaps, late equalisers and Franz Beckenbauer played with a broken collar bone. Was it really the game of the century? We'll let you decide. 

Japan's 100 Year Vision - Season 2, Episode 2

From World Cup debutants to World Cup mainstays. In 1992, Japan set about addressing its national malaise with the sport of football and spinning their fortunes from perennial failures to global powerhouses. Their end goal? To win a World Cup by 2092.

In Episode 2 of Season 2, we delve into weeds on the Japanese domestic league, the national team qualifying for its first World Cup, hosting their first tournament and succeeding in the knock out stages. We also attempt to answer the big question - can Japan win a World Cup?

Uruguay 1 - 1 Ghana, 2010 - Season 2, Episode 1

We're back, and back with a bang at that! On the first episode of Got Got Need season two, we get straight into the meat of one of the most controversial games in world football. 

An indefensible handball, some wayward shooting from the penalty spot, a panenka from Seb Abrau. It's all right here as Got Got Need returns for another dozen or so episodes!

Set your watches and mark your calendars, Got Got Need returns with Season Two on Monday 2nd November!

Sven's England, Part 2 - Season 1, Episode 13

In the season one finale, we wrap up our discussion of Sven's tenure as England manager.

A second successive quarter-final exit, two penalty shootout losses to the Portuguese in as many years, no Emile Heskey this time. 2006 was a catalogue of disasters and we dissect them all here - Enjoy!

Sven's England, Part 1 - Season 1, Episode 12

Where else, and on who else could we realistically end this first season? The Swedish lothario, Sven-Göran Eriksson took charge of the England national team in January 2001 in this first instalment we talk all things Japan & Korea.

From the 5-1 demolition of Germany away in Munich, through David Beckham's last-minute equaliser to send the Three Lions to the World Cup and the win against Argentina in the groups, to the eventual defeat to Brazil in the quarter-finals. 2002 is seen as one huge missed opportunity for England, and here's why.

Miroslav Klose - Season 1, Episode 11

The record goalscorer at the World Cup Finals, Germany's all-time top goalscorer, and all-round decent human being.

This week we talk all things Klose - from his World Cup debut in which he put three past a sorry Saudi Arabia side to what he means to each of us personally. This is the story of Miroslav Klose.

Brazil 1 - 7 Germany - Season 1, Episode 10

A result that sent shockwaves around the world of sport, Brazil falling to a 7-1 defeat to the Germans in the semi-final of their home World Cup remains the greatest embarrassment in football history.

In this slightly different episode of Got Got Need, we recorded our takes live while watching the full 90- minutes. Here's our live reaction to each ball hitting the back of the Brazillian net. Enjoy!

Total Football - Season 1, Episode 9

The greatest side never to win the World Cup? Given their impact on world football since the summer of 1974, the Dutch side of the early 70s are much, much more.

Michels, Cruyff, Neeskins, Rensenbrink, Keizer  - the list of influential players goes on and on. This is the story of the Netherlands team that took to the field and left jaws on the floor with their breathtaking fluidity. This is Total Football.

The French Collapse of 2010 - Season 1, Episode 8

Anelka goes home, Evra fights with a physio, Domenech faces a mutiny on his hands - this is France at South Africa 2010!

Never before has such a sordid state of affairs occurred at a World Cup tournament only to be played out live on a 24-hour news cycle and broadcast around the globe. In this week's episode, we discuss everything from the lack of a potent attacking focal point in the French squad to the aftermath of their implosion.

Dark Horses and Underachievers - The USSR - Season 1, Episode 7

After a fourth-place finish in 1966, the Soviet Union was primed for a period of sustained footballing success - but it never came.

In this episode, we take a look at the best performance from a Soviet side in 1966, their period of severe underachievement through the 1970s, and their eventual rise again under the tutelage of Valeriy Lobanovskyi in the late 1980s. This is the Soviet Union at the World Cup.

Croatia at France 98 - Season 1, Episode 6

A country in it's infancy, the Croatian's took the world by storm in 1998 by reaching the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup in France and finishing the tournament with a bronze medal to their name in third place.

This is the story of how a small nation forged its independence and took its stage on the global platform with the help from the likes of Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinečki. This is Croatia at France 98.

1930: The First World Cup - Season 1, Episode 3

Why host the thing in Uruguay? Who is Lucien Laurent? Thirteen teams?

We had so many questions about the inaugural World Cup and now we have so many answers! Here we take a look back at the very first iteration of the World Cup in Uruguay during the summer of 1930 and how it came to pass.

O Fenômeno - Season 1, Episode 4 (Part 2 of 2)

Our ode to O Fenômeno continues with part 2...

O Fenômeno - Season 1, Episode 4 (Part 1 of 2)

2 Ballon D'ors, the holder of two world record transfer fees, 62 goals in 98 games for Brazil. The greatest striker in World Cup history? 

Zaire 74 - Season 1, Episode 3

You've probably seen the clip we're talking about, a defender for Zaire runs from the wall and leathers a free-kick far into the stands before a pair of Brazilians even have the chance to strike it goal-wards?

This is the story behind one of the World Cup's most infamous moments. In 1974, Zaire is run by a tyrannical dictator hellbent on global recognition for both himself and his country - seeking shortcuts by looking for extravagant PR wins rather than investment in proper infrastructure. From football to boxing, shopping trips to Paris and music festivals; find out in this episode just what happened in the central African country of Zaire during 6 short months in the summer of 1974.

The 2010 World Cup Final - Season 1, Episode 2

In the summer of 2010, two teams who had previously never lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy faced off inside Soccer City, Johannesburg. The Oranje vs La Roja, Netherlands vs Spain.