You're listening to the FootGlish podcast. Love
football, learn English. What were the main factors
behind Cechia's success in qualifying for the
2026 World Cup? Who were the standout players?
Why did Tomáš Soček lose the captain's armband?
And is Ladislav Krejci a better captain? And
what are some other ways to talk about qualifying
for the World Cup and being eliminated? So hello
everybody, the Footgrish podcast is back. The
Footgrish podcast is a podcast about football
and learning English. Yes, I'm Zdenek Lukas and
I'm back. I've come back from the dead. I had
to because the Czech Republic team have done
it. We have qualified for 2026 World Cup. It's
amazing. After two dramatic penalty shootouts
against Ireland and Denmark, now we are going
to Mexico. Well, probably not us, because I'm
not alone here. I've got two Czech guests. So
there are three Czech people here today talking
about this fantastic... We are going to celebrate
the occasion, just basically ramble about it
in English. First of all, let me welcome my cousin
Honza Popek, a passionate football fan, an economist
and an amateur historian. Honza, welcome back
to the podcast. Thanks very much. I'm looking
for another episode of your podcast. Yeah, well,
you're part of it now. So I'm glad you're looking
forward to it. And also we have David Nitsch,
my student, who is also a passionate football
fan. He is working for OnePlaySport TV. I hope
I'm saying it right. He's a reporter, commentator
and presenter there. hi david welcome to the
podcast hi guys good to see you i hope it won't
be a shame for you because because of my english
and you're my english teacher so well there's
a lot of pressure on you because yeah yeah i
feel it i feel big pressure yeah yeah if your
english is not up to scratch it's kind of on
me isn't it it's my fault yeah of course yeah
i think the the person Under least amount of
pressure here is Honza, probably. Yeah, you two
are like a great connection between teacher and
students. So yeah, both need to improve very
well. But I think the idea is clear. Sorry, Honza?
Both need to perform very well. Yeah, it's like
football. We have to perform very well. The only
thing is that we don't have a coach like Kovac,
Miroslav Kovac, like the coach of the Czech national
team. We have no one. It's just the three of
us. So you are a coach. I'm a playing coach.
I'm a playing coach. You know, like in the village.
Yeah. I'm like one of those village coaches that
is also a player. Okay. Well, let's talk about
this then. you know what let me start like this
david how old were you when the czech republic
was in the world cup last time which was in 20
2006 i believe yeah so now i'm 33 so i was 13
years old yeah so but of course i remember last
world cup Very well. Yeah, yeah. I remember it
very well. And I lived for the World Cup. And
of course, I felt big disappointment after the
tournament because I remember that we, or we,
Czech players went there as big favorites. And
I think they were on the second position in a
FIFA ranking. So it was a big disappointment
because they didn't qualify into the playoffs.
No, and our players were amazing at the time.
Remember, we had just had this massive success
in the Euros 2004 where we got in the semi -final,
but everyone was saying we were the best team
of the tournament. Pavel Nedvěd, Tomáš Rosický,
Jan Koller, Milan Maroc. And Czech team started
in a very positive way because they beat USA
3 -0, but Jan Koller got injured. in this game
and it was big trouble for for czech team because
he was his impact uh on the team was was huge
so it was big problem for for karel brickner
yeah and then the next game was against and because
honza is an amateur historian i have to ask you
sorry it's not about about it it's not the issues
because uh the neck knows that uh we uh we we
are together there in it was in with ghana of
games it from from the beginning i think it seems
promising it seemed to be promising but after
second half it's was some kind of disasters let's
say not disaster yeah we lost two nil and it
was a game yeah yeah you are right the second
second half was like a i don't know I think that
Ghana was much more better than Czech team and
they played very well. Petr Cech had, I don't
know, maybe five or six great saves. So it could
be worse than 2 -0. Yeah, I think nobody expected
that from us. Ghana, you know, we thought it
would be a walk in the park, but it wasn't. And
to be honest, it was a bit of a shock to us.
We just thought... it would be a wonderful evening
right but but we were there with honza that's
why that's why i wanted to mention it it was
the only time i've been to a major tournament
it was the only time i watched a live game like
that so right but now we are here to talk about
this fresh success this amazing story of the
czech republic finally making it after 20 years
So now we are in the year 2026, right? And it's
quite fresh because several days ago, I think
three days ago or something like that, we won
the final qualifier. It was absolutely the last
chance to get to the World Cup for us. And we
did it. And so we had to beat two teams. First,
Ireland. On penalties, we won on penalties. And
then a few days later, we repeated exactly the
same. The result was also the same. It was 2
-2 in extra time and then 3 -2 on penalties.
And this time we beat Denmark, right? So did
you see that coming, David? Did you expect this
to happen? No, because I think Denmark was a
big favorite of this game. But of course, I can
see two sides of the coin. Because of course,
after these two games, everybody can say something
like, oh, but the way how we qualified into the
World Cup was not so good. We played terrible.
In the end of the day, I think the most important
fact is that we did it. Czech team did it. And
that's the most important fact. So, of course,
we can speak about the style of playing football.
We can speak about some mistakes. We can speak
about terrible performance in the first half
in a game against Ireland. But that doesn't matter.
Because we are looking forward to the World Cup.
But of course, I hope they will improve their
skills and some style of football. And yeah,
I'm really looking forward to the World Cup.
Well, so am I. But I want to ask Honza. Honza,
do you think it was a bit undeserved and we got
lucky? Or how do you see it? I fully agree with
David. It's like... History doesn't ask about
how, but ask about if or yes or no. We are there
and I think it's good. I don't remember the player,
but usually in Czech Republic, football doesn't
have logic. Denmark is much more... Played very
well. His attackers had good chances and lots
of pressure on Czech defenders. But they did
it. Okay. It's all. But we are sort of talking
about both games. But guys, I have one important
point. Because after a very, very, very long
time, I felt... big passion from Czech people.
Because I think Czech football has a strange
sound last year. I think they were in a very
bad position among people. But after a very long
time, I felt... big happiness and by the way
the second playoffs game uh against denmark i
i spent this time in the pub because uh we organized
a special football pub quiz and after the quiz
we we were watching the game against denmark
yeah and everybody everybody supported czech
team everybody uh we were very allowed during
the game and i felt this atmosphere around us
And after a very long time, I'm really proud
of Czech football and of the Czech national team.
I think this is the right word to use. I think
there is pride, national pride, which we don't
always associate with Czechia, the Czech Republic,
Czech people, Honza, right? You as a historian,
you know, we struggle with this sometimes. We're
not as patriotic as some of our neighbors, let's
say. But moments like these are really necessary,
right? For Czech football, but also Czech society.
Would you agree, Honza? Yeah, I fully agree.
It's a good opportunity to show that we are unified.
Maybe there are some, how to say, quarrel about
politics, quarrel about the situation in the
world, but it's a good opportunity to unify it
and then to support. czech team or another i
don't know it's not about the football but another
another sport activity so this this is a good
idea a good opportunity to celebrate that yeah
and it doesn't happen every day 20 years we have
to wait for this for 20 years we we are quite
good at qualifying for the euros like we we consistently
make it there but when it comes to the world
cup it's not been the case and i think let's
be honest it's probably a much bigger tournament
much bigger competition which with more reach
and sort of reputation and everything and and
it is not without problems i don't like infantino
i really don't and there are some a lot of controversies
yeah but let's be honest some things are beyond
that and it's just david is it how big is this
for even sort of the future of czech football
for the development for development of young
players and stuff like that right of course i
think that that's great opportunity for everybody
from the team because you can show your quality
you can show your skills uh in the highest level
yeah and uh you can say something like hey look
at me i i would i would like to play in in the
best competition in the world yes so of course
i think it has to be the biggest motivation for
everybody in the team. So that's great. And by
the way, a few days ago, we were speaking about
Ladislav Krejci, by the way. So Wolverhampton
is struggling in the Premier League. So I think
that's another chance for Krejci to show... Something
like, no, I don't want to play in the second
league or in the second division because I don't
deserve it. So it's not only about Krejci. Yeah,
yeah, yeah. Well, he's the captain now. We will
talk about the story for sure. But I still want
to look at this from the global point of view.
So Honza, I know you have very young kids, right?
So is this something that can really sort of...
Why are you laughing? Sorry, but one year old,
he's not very keen on football. Not yet. Another
issue, not yet. But I think it's a good opportunity
to spread this. Yeah, but you have a daughter
too, right? Yeah. So probably, well, probably
they are too young, but okay. It was my segue.
I wanted to just ask this question. How important
could this be for the kids? Because we always
talk about this, how crucial it is to attract
new people to the sport. And now with so many
distractions they have in their lives, I know
it. I am guilty of this sometimes myself. I play
a lot of games and do a lot of different things.
Young people, they don't do as much sport as
we used to do when we were young these days.
It's true. So how important could a moment like
this be for the young generation? I think it's
like some kind of critical point. We can compare
with the ice hockey success in Olympic Games
in Nagano. So lots of people, lots of kids are
trying to. play ice hockey and I think it was
good it was a good impact for Czech ice hockey
Czech sports and ice hockey is not so big so
big sports as football so I hope it will be positive
impact and let's say that Czech football receive
some good points from it but reputation and like
maybe impact for more members to try to be connected
with Czech football because on the other hand
last couple of days showed that there are lots
of bad activities What is Honza talking about,
David? Do you want to tell us more? Because you
are a reporter and I'm sure you have a lot of
inside information. It's a great topic. It's
difficult to speak about it because it's not
black and white. But of course, I think it's
very important to have some idols. It's good
for children. And I have great memories of big
tournaments. And I remember it when I was...
I don't know, 10 years old or 12 years old. I
wanted to be a big football player. And I remember
our very dramatic games next to our, or in the
village. So I think it's a big opportunity to
show big football players. And I can't say how
big is the impact. Impact, what's the preposition?
On? Oh, my God. You put me on the spot here.
What's the impact of this, I would say? On something.
The impact of something on something. Absolutely.
okay so i wanted to say i i don't know how big
is the impact on children yeah but of course
it's uh uh much better to to see czech players
in in the tv and uh that's great that we have
this opportunity to to see or watch this game
in in in mexico yeah not not only that would
be amazing but basically this world cup is in
canada usa and mexico these countries are sharing
uh this uh yeah they're hosting is going to play
two games in mexico and one game in atlanta but
our group is the mexican group you could say
right we have we are in group a uh and our teams
will be mexico south korea and south africa two
south south south teams which is weird and they
will and they will uh i don't know how can i
say it but they are they are uh central i don't
know how can i say because they will stay in
dallas dallas will be there how can i say the
camp like they will have their camp in dallas
or something like that yeah but not i wouldn't
use basement i would use the word base not basement
I hope they don't train in the basement. I think
it might be a bit depressing there. But their
base, that's the word we are looking for. Yeah,
okay. Well, let's talk about the main factors,
right? What were the main factors behind this
amazing achievement? Because it is huge for Czech
football. Because we did not expect it, I think.
Our football is on decline, I think, not on the
rise, or has been in the last few years and decades.
We're not the same team. We don't have Pavel
Nedved, we don't have Tomáš Rosický, we don't
have Karol Poborský. These players are gone,
and we don't have the same level of talent. The
only player possibly that is closest to it could
be Patrik Šik, the only world -class player.
So how did we do this? So my theory, right? is
three l's yeah you tell me what you think okay
three l's um ladislav krejci letna and luck that's
my theory so what is the ranking what can you
what is the ranking i came up with this it's
my own idea i think yeah but ranking ranking
i think uh you said ladislav first position i
did not no no i did not mean it like that i i'm
just saying it's on the same level yeah it's
my theory it's my theory so i i just wonder if
i'm thinking i'm thinking about other factors
so of course we have to mention uh mr koubek
new head coach of czech national team yeah uh
maybe uh maybe the passion passion for football
because uh yeah i was speaking about terrible
performance from the game against ireland but
despite of this performance i felt that they
really was yeah and that they really want to
qualify into the next round so uh yeah i think
everybody wanted to win this game and i think
that that's the way for for czech republic or
for czech national team yeah and set pieces yeah
because it's uh it's uh it's a czech czech players
are experts for of of set pieces and it was very
important factors for both games yeah right so
corner corner kicks and throw -ins and uh free
kicks and penalties and penalties yeah because
we won on penalties twice honza when when when
you were watching the penalties were you calm
or a little bit stressed or how did you feel
no i think it was like a little bit stressed
but i think it's always a little bit only a little
bit yeah because it's always uh how to say Players,
he needs to concentrate, but he needs some kind
of luck to be a lucky man, because without luck,
you say, as we are talking about Denmark, I think
generally Denmark was, if we focus on players,
they were better players. But what about Ireland?
Because I think we actually played okay against
Denmark, but we did not play very well against
Ireland and the Irish players seemed like they
were better players than us. What was happening
there? For me, that game was more about luck
than the Denmark game. Because I think we had
a tactical plan which worked against Denmark,
but not against Ireland. But I think there was
a big difference in the position of the Czech
team. Because before the game against Ireland,
everybody would say something like, yeah, we
are the favorite. And we have to be a better
team and we have to beat them. And look at the
situation before the second game. I think the
mood was different. And maybe, or you know it,
I think always it's better to be underdog. It's
easier to be the underdog. It's easier to be
the underdog than the top dog. And of course,
we were totally shocked after the first 20 or
25 minutes in a game against Ireland. Oh, yeah.
We didn't know what to do with them. And so,
okay, so we're still talking about the factor.
So we mentioned luck. Honza definitely went for
that. Wait, wait, wait, wait. So luck, I just
want to say this is strange because Ireland,
I think, one of the symbols of Ireland is the
clover, you know? And that's like the symbol
of luck. And leprechauns and all those kind of
mythical creatures. And Ireland is just the country
of luck. So what happened to them? Their luck
has run out. They have had a lot of luck because
of one bird. His name is Troy Parrot. And he's
been wonderful for them. And he was great in
that game as well. He scored a penalty. But then
their luck has run out. We did it. Luck was on
our side. That's for sure. So we mentioned luck.
Letna. So I said Letna because it's the stadium
where the final was played. And it's like a magical
place, right? The commentators were saying it.
Ladislav Krejci said it, our captain. Because
we had some success in the past on that stadium,
right, as well. At that stadium, I should say.
Yes! Of course, you are right. But I think we
have to mention goalkeeper Kovac because he was
excellent during the penalties. I think we can
find another factor. But of course, Kovac's performance
was brilliant. He was the hero too. Absolutely.
He saved a lot of penalties and sometimes hypnotized
the players who blasted the penalty into the
11th row or somewhere up the sky. And how do
we say Kovács in English on Zadino? It's a quiz
question because I know especially David likes
to organize quiz nights. I really don't know.
I really don't know. Blacksmith. Yeah, blacksmith.
Okay. Blacksmith. I tried butchers, but it's
another. Butcher. Yeah. Butcher is different.
That would be řeznik. Yeah, I know. And I'm thinking
about another Czech players. Who? No, not Tomáš
Illnes. How can I say Chory in English? I'm ill.
So Tomáš ill or? Tomáš sick. Tomáš the sick.
Tomáš the sick. Yeah, not everybody's name can
be translated, to be honest. But it's fun to
try to do that. And can I cheat? Taylor. Taylor?
Vladislav Plejler. Okay. So this is another interesting
moment that happened, right? So we had a new
coach for these two games. Who is, by the way,
how old, Honza? I'm 74, I think. 74 years old.
And he's going to become the oldest coach in
the World Cup's history. so that's gonna be crazy
but this this guy doesn't look like he's 74 at
all he's very sharp he's witty he's funny in
the press conference he yeah i love his reaction
at the press conference yeah he always makes
sense when whenever he's speaking every single
word he says it all makes sense he's not rambling
at all he's great yeah i uh i had the chance
to to meet him many times because of uh because
of uh his yeah because of his job and uh he he's
different than other coaches yeah maybe it's
about the age yeah but uh i felt big respect
from him but uh i remember he was very funny
after the game yeah after the post game interviews
and uh i heard he's he's very strict in a dressing
room and it's important to have uh some another
kind assistance yeah so i mean when you say kind
you mean like softer not not as strict you mean
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah so i think it's it's
very for him it's very important to have some
kind assistance uh around him like like the idea
of good cop good cop and bad cop yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah yeah but of course it's unbelievable
and uh it's his biggest success and he's 74 years
old yes so wow that's great and uh remember I
don't know, three years ago before his coaching
of Plzeň. I think nobody expected something like
this. So now I'm just going to repeat to our
listeners what happened, basically why Ladislav
Krejci was the captain and I think probably will
now be the main captain. in the future of the
Czech Republic national team. And not Tomáš Soček.
Because for five years, it was Tomáš Soček who
was the captain. The biggest name, our main player
in the Premier League, playing for West Ham.
I think everybody knows Tomáš Soček. And then
there was a moment in the qualification. We played
against Faroe Islands. We lost 2 -1. And then
a few days later, there was a friendly game.
in Olomouc in the Czech Republic against Gibraltar
of all teams. I don't know why we chose that
team to play that team, but we won 1 -0. So two
very poor results, a defeat against Faroe Islands
in the qualification and a friendly game, which
we won against Gibraltar 1 -0. After that, our
coach was, we had an interim coach. He was sacked
and something happened and the players decided
not to thank the fans. after the game because
normally what you do is that all all players
go up to the main stand and they will clap their
hands even whether it's a victory defeat or draw
this was a victory okay terrible performance
from the czech team but i think they thought
that the fans hadn't supported them enough in
the game or something like that and then Tomas
Socek and Vladimir Zofal. So Tomas Socek, the
captain, Vladimir Zofal, his main sort of teammate,
who also used to play with him at West Ham. They
went up to the crowd and instead of going to
thank them, they had a kind of a discussion.
They took a microphone and they were starting
to explain why they didn't want to thank them
or something like that. They said that they needed
unity. There is no unity. They were basically
criticizing the fans. And that was a big moment.
And after that, I'm just going to finish the
story and then let you talk, guys. After that,
basically, there was a huge amount of criticism
from the Czech media, from the fans. And it was
all sort of leveled on the Czech team, but mainly
on Tomáš Soček, because someone had to be held
responsible, right? He went there, he was the
captain. And then the decision was made to strip
him of captaincy. So he would no longer be the
captain. until further notice. So I want to ask
Honza first. Honza, yeah. Is it... Okay, I like
Tomáš Soček. You guys know it. I've been watching
his games for a long time now. I love him. But
is this a blessing in disguise? Is this a blessing
that this happened? Because now Krejci looks
like a better captain and he made it to the World
Cup with the team. Is this a good thing that
it all happened, Honza? so i think that the basic
basic true or basic rules for each football players
especially in england there is no reason and
there is no way how to how to fight with with
fans because lots of big bigger stars than so
check lost his position because they they wanted
to fight with fans no way you mean not not physically
but like physically but to be criticizing okay
we we played we played well we played bad we
we need to how to say say okay we played well
but we are really uh we really thank you to to
I think in England it's usual that they try to
thank all fans despite its losing or its winning.
It's basic rule for footballers, especially in
England, never ever discuss with fans about performance.
It looked like they were blaming the fans for
the defeat. Maybe it's going to start in Czech
Republic too. No chance to win four footballers
against his fans. I don't know. So, David, Homsa
did not really answer my question. I kind of
did. But, David, was that a blessing? Was that
the best thing that could happen to the national
team? But now it sounds different than a few
months ago, of course. Of course, a few months
ago, it was embarrassing in all modes. and i
didn't like it people were totally angry but
i think that after the game the management of
the czech team had to show people that they they
wanted to change something yeah so they did it
yeah they said no so czech uh won't be the captain
yeah and so and of course uh Last week, we could
see that they chose the best captain. And I can
say the same like you. I'm a big fan of Tomáš
Souček. And I love his journey from Žižkov to
West Ham. But he's not captain. I think it's
not in his nature. He was captain for five years,
though. Yeah, it's a very long time. And he's
a hero. I love him. But he's not the captain
in his blood. And Ladislav Krejci is. Yeah, and
Ladislav Krejci is. And look at the post -games
interviews. Look at the body language. Look at
the... I don't know. I think you can see it in
a moment. When they started to speak. Yeah. Yeah.
No, I think you're right. He sounds like he really
knows what he's saying. Whereas Socek is a bit
awkward. He doesn't know exactly how to say it.
Again, he said something weird. There was an
interview with him, right? And he was sort of...
he was sort of he's i think he's holding a grudge
he's not he's not happy about what happened he
said i i accepted it but what was it that he
said they can take they can take my armband but
not my heart which sounded a bit strange to be
honest with you and i know he was he was being
honest honesty is very important right we like
it about him he's honest but i think it's not
what we wanted to hear we wanted They took my
armband. I wasn't happy about it, but I accepted
it and we move on and that's it. We forget about
it. We play and we want to win. That's what you
want to hear. You don't want to hear him say,
hey, they took my armband. They can take my armband,
but they will never take my heart. It sounds
like I will never forget what they did to me.
Yeah, no, but Zdeněk, I have no problem with
this. announced not announcement with this speech
yeah but uh i think it's a bit awkward yeah but
okay whatever it's to my soul check so he's always
he's always been like that and i i still respect
him yeah and you know nobody's perfect right
yeah so krejci definitely he was absolutely immense
especially in that game against Ireland oh my
God what a player he scored a goal in each of
these two games what's his position Honza is
he a striker he's a central defender isn't he
so he's got a neck for go for a goal you know
like how about I think it's general approach
yet especially in in like a corners that all
players which are like a capable to to to score
are going to the it's it's to the box it doesn't
matter if it is defenders or or striker or midfield
midfielder so all have to be some kind of ability
to to score or to be valuable in in in attack
right Okay. What about Patrik Šik then? How good
was he, David? Would you say he lived up to his
reputation of the only Czech world -class player?
I think he's an extra -skilled player. But I
think it was very difficult for him in these
two games. We were speaking about Krejci. I think
these games were especially for him. But not
for... patrick chic but of course i remember
some moments when he when we when he showed his
uh his great skills by the way i remember his
penalty in a game against ireland and it was
very very interesting because because he he stopped
and he uh sorry he stuttered It's like the moment
before you kick, you stutter. I wanted to speak
about his seeing on the goalkeeper. After that,
he checked the ball or he saw the ball. And after
that, he kicked the ball. And yeah, it's wow.
Not everyone can do that. It's a great skill
to have. And he scored two penalties in that
game against Ireland. And that's not easy to
play two penalties or kick two penalties during
the game. And I think the coach Koubek also said
that he had never seen Patrik Schick fight like
that. He was really running, pressing. Because
sometimes he's associated with being a bit...
I don't want to say lazy, but not always running
as much as the other players, right? It's his
little bit, let's say, weakness or something
that he sometimes does. But in these two games,
he really wanted this win like everyone else.
And you could see he was a different animal.
He's a different kind of player. I think you
can't compare him with Tomáš Chorý. for example
yeah well you can compare him in size maybe that's
the only thing they're both quite tall yeah maybe
yeah and uh okay another player we have to mention
like we're not gonna go through the entire team
i'm just mentioning some important names here
so i want to know what what you honza think about
pavel schultz who is the the new czech player
of the year by the way if you didn't in case
you didn't know not you honza but listeners because
we i know we don't only have czech listeners
here so pavel schultz is playing for olympic
lyon in france and it's like the the new czech
star basically came out of nowhere almost like
he was great in the czech league but we did not
expect him to do so well on the international
stage and in in france in lyon a great team so
honza how good was this player Yeah, so generally
or definitely in a couple of months, great progress
for Pavel Schulz. As in, like, how to say, club
level, his club level in France, but also in
the national team. So let's say that he, I think
a couple of months, he went through some injured
period. He was injured, yeah. yeah muscle muscle
injury he's like again in in his i have to say
level let's hope he he will he will like uh stay
in the on his current level and good progress
but i think i i would like to a little bit disagree
with you i think uh he started playing very well
in in in person like during something yeah yeah
no no i did i did say that yeah yeah definitely
But I think the world did not know about Pavel
Schulz. Yeah, but I think in Czech Republic seems
to be very promising players. That's right. Two,
three years ago, so 22. I agree. I don't know
how old is he, but let's say 23 years ago. Pavel
Schulz is 20. I'm not sure, 24 years old? I think
24, 25. Give me 10 seconds. No, definitely, Honza.
But I wanted to ask you about his performance
in these two games as well. 25. Okay, so I think,
yeah, it's some kind of like maybe the best player
in kind of like a... mid midfield or uh attack
uh attack position so especially i i like i think
it's it's it's popular it's like a how to say
his path to uh provost in the i don't know 25
minutes i don't know exactly what minutes what
was but it was a kind of wonderful football smart
smart intelligent play for him. And what about
the goal? You didn't mention the goal. It was
good, but it was some kind of... What do you
mean it was good? It was a world -class finish.
It was a screamer. They were showing the replays
of this everywhere in the whole world, man. But
you know, corners, there was some, how to say...
Scramble. Scramble and something. Not prepared
action, but the action with... If this action
with Probod will be... score will be end with
goal for me much more valuable than okay okay
fair enough but but david the volley the volley
come on yeah how sweetly did he hit that i think
it's about his confidence yeah because uh yeah
he's he's in a great form by the way i hope leon
is not the final destination for him yeah but
uh yeah i i think uh Three years ago, Pavel Schulz
would not score this goal. And I think it's in
his head because remember the difficult situation
a few years ago because some fans were angry
with him because he didn't score goals and he
had great chances. And I think very important
was his playing for Jablonec because he was on
loan there. And I think it was the start of this
improvement. And we have to mention that also
his cat is very important for him. He has a cat.
It's maybe the most popular cat in Czech Republic
now. Female cat. But her name is Franta. Franta,
yeah, which is a male name. Yeah, but... The
cat is female. Cat is female, yeah. It's funny,
it's funny. And did you see the post -game interview
with Schulz? Because journalists asked him about
Franta and they asked him something like, hey,
what about Franta during the World Cup? And he
said... I'm thinking about it so I hope Franta
will be there too because all my family is going
to Mexico I know I've seen that I've seen that
so he's going to take his cat to Mexico probably
let's hope so daily Franta okay great well as
I said we are going to Mexico and our group is
we're starting against South Korea then We have
a match against South Africa and then finally
against Mexico. So, Honza, how do you see our
chances to progress from this group then, from
Group A? I think we need to finish in top two
and even the third place, there is a good chance
we could make it from the third place as well.
To be honest, I don't know much about South Africa.
not not not maybe are you not are you not following
are you not following african football honza
no no no but i think if they if they promote
it for uh world championship and i i think nigeria
and the others so i think yeah it will be for
me how to say big question mark and the same
i am not uh very very important about south uh
south korea to be honest but you know a lot about
mexico i think right yeah mexico is for me maybe
big big favorite of this group they play at home
and of course lots of players which with some
experience from europe and of course but uh south
africa south korea big question mark to be honest
Right now, I am not able to name any famous South
Korean players. Son? How about Son? Yeah, but
he played in the US. I think in Dallas or somewhere.
I don't know about his current form, current
position. No, no, sorry. I think it's very tricky.
yeah because we don't know these teams yeah so
maybe somebody would say something like south
korea wow no problem but uh wow guys i think
uh it's uh it it's gonna be very difficult yeah
so because it's yeah because it's different because
uh it's uh it's easy to say okay so it's gonna
be fine because we we don't know these teams
yeah yeah so But if you look at the transfer
market, we have the most valuable team of all
those four teams. So we should be the favorites.
Yeah, but you know, home player for Mexico, South
Korea, I think lots of Korean players are in
Bundesliga. So quite a good league. And South
Africa. We don't know about the weather in Mexico.
So 30, 38, 30, 40 degrees. Lots of Czech players
are not very familiar with this weather. South
African. By the way, what's the first thing what
you imagine when I say South Africa and football?
Well, obviously, there was a World Cup in South
Africa, right? Yeah, maybe you will see Bouzellas
again. Yeah, there were like these trumpets that
people could buy and everybody bought that one.
It was like made from paper or something? I really
don't know. I think it's plastic. Okay, something
cheap and simple that everybody bought and that
they made. huge noise in the stadiums in South
Africa during this World Cup. I can't remember
when it was. Was it 2012 or 2010? 2010. To be
honest, I still like Shakira's anthem. And Spain
won this tournament. That's right. And Slovakia
did very well. Yeah, and Slovakia beat Italy,
I think. Italy. Oh, my God. Honestly, if you
have any Italian viewers and listeners, I am
really sorry, guys. Your team is cursed right
now. Three times in a row, they are missing out
on the World Cup. This time, they got beaten
on penalties by Bosnia. What a huge surprise
that is. But I think in this case, it's like,
how to say, an example that not only a group
of big stars are a good team, and Bosnia played
like, how to say? Like a team. Like a team. With
Edin Dzeko, their captain, is an amazing player.
And Amar Memic played for Bosnia. Amar Memic,
yeah, from Plzen. From Plzen, yeah. And Edin
Dzeko, the captain, of course, he used to play
for Teplice when he was young. So stars don't
make a team. That's true. And this is our only
hope. We will have to park the bus probably and
play horrible defensive style. What side are
you on, guys? Are you on the side of success
or good display or just something nice for the
fans? What would you rather do? Play attractive
football? Something that the fans could admire?
That maybe even neutral fans? Because a lot of
people are going to watch our game. They're not
even Czech, right? I'm on success side, of course.
So it doesn't matter how we do it. We just need
to win the World Cup, no matter what. Sorry,
I lost you for two seconds. Sorry. Yeah, it wasn't
very realistic anyway. I was saying that... We
just need to win the World Cup, no matter how.
And it might not be pretty. We might be defending
24 -7, 20 % of possession, like similarly to
the game against Denmark. And then most likely
in the knockout stages, just win on penalties
because we are good at winning on penalties.
We have never lost. Yeah. Part of the game, let's
say. Czech national team has some experience
with quite attractive playing styles in some
kind of European championship, but they lost
with Greece. Greece played, how to say, horrible,
horrible. And then they won it. And then they
won the Euros in the end. But they played, how
to say, only defense, I think. yeah physically
ugly football and then nobody's asked history
doesn't ask as long as you win so do you think
we have a chance to win the tournament david
would you put your money on it no we have no
chance to win the tournament what do you mean
there is always a chance i would like to be satisfied
if we promote for the next next next level yeah
so you mean you want to get qualified if we qualify
from our group yeah we have to be realistic yeah
so of course i think uh that there's the main
goal to qualify into the playoffs yeah and after
that i i will be totally happy yeah so if we
get if we get knocked out i will be devastated
i will be devastated that's the difference between
you and me i want to win everything of course
i would like to see big success too of course
but uh it's it's gonna be Very difficult. But
we have Kovac. We have Factor X. Mr. Kovac, the
oldest coach. He's the lucky coach as well. He's
winning. He doesn't even know how sometimes.
Okay, so maybe we will win the tournament thanks
to Kovac. Yeah, I mean... somebody has to say
it like i'm sure the other podcasts are not predicting
us winning the tournament maybe we will be the
only podcast here that can actually say it here
that we are gonna win in in that tournament onza
percentage what percentage would you give it
that we can we can do this i don't know let's
hope i i i hope that there will be some some
success so 20%. 20 %? We win the tournament?
I think that's not going to happen. Yeah, I know,
but there will be some, how to say, some wish,
some top secret wish and something like this.
Well, let's hope, because we are not very good
at top secrets in this new management, because
every single starting lineup got leaked. Three
days before the game. We don't know how, right?
Why somebody is leaking the starting lineup three
days before? But Zdeněk, I think it was the same
in Denmark, I think. And I think it's almost
impossible to keep this secret until the game.
You know it. Players... players from the team
have some families yeah so before the game sorry
and so i think it's almost all to keep it only
in the team yeah so yeah and so you don't blame
them and it's okay you think it's okay maybe
it's our secret weapon guys but i think it's
it's definitely modern modern uh world because
journalists have many opportunity many connection
david is a journalist so he is a journalist he
knows he knows something from the team so okay
and he has a good good connection with somebody
so i think it's it's it's normally it's normally
in germany or in portuguese england So there's
this leakage because journalists are journalists
and it's their work to investigate it in these
cases. All right, guys, I think we can leave
it there for today. Thank you very much for joining
me and doing this podcast. I hope our listeners
and viewers liked it. Let us know. Leave a comment.
Maybe you can even ask. questions more questions
and we will do our best to answer them in the
comments and uh yeah great thank you very much
take care thank you very much take care bye guys
bye honza have a good one welcome back to the
language corner as always in this part of the
video i would like to teach you something because
you see i'm an english teacher so i have to kind
of live up to my job i have to do my job here
right and today i would like to take a look at
some expressions phrases and idioms you can use
for talking about qualifying for the world cup
as well as getting eliminated but before i dive
into it I would like to thank my guests today,
who were none other than my cousin Honza Popek,
as well as my student David Nitsch. Speaking
of David, he has a podcast himself, but it's
in Czech. So if you would like to check it out,
pun intended, then head over to the internet
and type in druhý zdeněk, no, not druhý zdeněk,
druhý dotek. Zdeněk Folprecht. He does it with
his friend Zdeněk Folprecht, an ex -footballer,
and I think it's a great podcast, but you have
to speak Czech to be able to enjoy it because
it is in Czech. Otherwise, I suppose you could
use some kind of AI tool and get subtitles at
least or something, and then perhaps you could
enjoy it in this kind of way. Either way, we
are here to talk about vocabulary, right? That's
what I promised to you. And I have collected
a few interesting expressions, so let's get started.
You can say, we have made it to the World Cup.
It's kind of the simplest way to say it, to be
honest with you. It's the most common way to
say it. We have made it. If you make it, it means
you succeed, right? You succeed in qualifying.
You qualify for the World Cup. By the way, You
qualify for something. I often hear from my students
to qualify to something, but we don't say that.
We say to qualify for something. You qualify
for the World Cup. You're going to Mexico. You're
going to play in the World Cup. You can say that,
but you're qualifying for the World Cup. Okay,
that's that. You can say we are World Cup bound.
It's an interesting word. If you are World Cup
bound, it means you're heading. You're heading
in the direction of the World Cup, basically.
I remember when I used to live in London, they
always had two platforms. When you sort of went
down the escalator, you could see on the left
side, the platform on the left was southbound,
for example, and the platform on the right was
northbound, meaning... you know, the tube was
going up north, right? Does it make sense? Basically,
it's in the direction of, right? So we are World
Cup bound means we are heading to the World Cup
or something like that. Okay, you can say we
are off to the World Cup. If you're off to a
place, it means, again, you're heading to a place.
You can say I'm off to work, yeah? I'm off to
school. That's also very common. Another great
phrase would be Bosnia. I'm going to use Bosnia
as an example here. I'm sorry to my Italian viewers
and listeners. My idea is not to rub it in here.
I'm genuinely sorry because you've missed out
on the World Cup three times in a row now, which
is shocking, to be honest with you. Italy not
being in the World Cup, I think it's not good.
It's not good for football. So Bosnia have booked
their place at the World Cup. If you book your
place, it means you basically secure that position,
right? You manage to get there. You book your
place. Like when you're booking a plane ticket
online or something. Right, then there is another
one. To be through to the World Cup. You can
say Sweden are through to the World Cup. I haven't
really spoken about Sweden in this podcast, but
it's an amazing story as well, isn't it? In their
qualification group, they only managed to collect
two points. Can you imagine? Two points. But
they still qualified because there is another
route to the World Cup via Nations League. And
that's where they did really well. I think they
won their Group C or something and then obviously
won their two qualifiers against... One was against...
I can't remember anymore. I know the final was
against Poland. Who did they beat before that?
Someone else, okay? I apologize for that. I cannot
actually remember. Anyway, as I said before,
you can say Czechia have done the job. They are
heading to the World Cup. If you head to the
World Cup, it means you're going there in the
direction of, you know, you're going there. You're
heading. You can head to... I don't know. You
can hatch to the USA, meaning you are on your
way to the USA, sort of, right? Right. Yeah,
that's pretty much it. Now, talking about elimination.
So, you know, you can say heartbreak for Denmark,
which is kind of a newspaper headline, to be
honest with you. If something is a heartbreak
for you, it breaks your heart, right? When you
break up with someone or when your girlfriend
dumps you boyfriend, what's another way of saying
this, breaks up with you, then it's a heartbreak
for you. It breaks your heart. So if your World
Cup dream is over, like for Denmark, it's a heartbreak
for them. Another way of saying it is they bottled
it. And I've recently done this on my social
media, on Instagram and here on my YouTube channel
as well. as real, right? You know, I record these
AI -generated videos these days where I explain
vocabulary, and one of them was to bottle it.
If you bottle it, it means you fail to qualify,
you fail to succeed, basically, especially when
you're close to it. And Denmark were pretty close,
right? They were in the final, they managed to
equalize against us, they played better than
us, they had good footballers. A lot of possession
in the game, a lot of ability on their side,
but they didn't do it. They bottled it, just
like Ireland bottled it, who, in my opinion,
were much better than Denmark even. But we're
there. We didn't bottle it. Another one could
be they let it slip. It's like they let it slip
through their fingers. If you let something slip,
if you let it slip, it means you miss the chance,
really. You miss the opportunity. You let it
go, you let it slip. All right, what else do
we have here? Another one is to come up short.
For example, Poland have come up short. Unfortunately
for Robert Lewandowski, who announced his retirement,
you know, the biggest star of the last one or
perhaps two decades. A Polish megastar, Robert
Lewandowski, unfortunately is not going to play
at the World Cup. Poland have come up short against
Sweden. They lost. And to come up short, it's
like an understatement, really. It's basically
like a disappointing statement. When you come
up short, you just fail to succeed, really. Of
course, I said that you can say to be eliminated,
to get eliminated. to get knocked out when it's
a cup sort of cup competition right you get knocked
out which this kind of was in the end it was
a knockout stage you could say right and by the
way when we talk about the league stage we would
use different expressions so obviously you win
the title and when you are in a lower division
you say you get you get promoted and the opposite
of that is to get demoted or also to get relegated,
right? So that's when you're talking about the
league stage. Okay, and then finally you can
say to miss out on something. So you can say
that Italy unfortunately have missed out on the
World Cup, meaning they are not going to play
there. They didn't do it. They couldn't do it.
They didn't make it. Well, we made it here on
the FootGlish podcast. And I'm also publishing
this episode of the FootGlish podcast as an episode
of my other podcast called Zdenek's English podcast.
And that's because I know I've been neglecting
the other podcast as well, just like I've been
neglecting this one. So I hope you don't mind
me doing that. I'm sort of killing two birds
with one stone. And once again, let me know what
you thought. This is also getting released as
a video on the Teacher's Danek YouTube channel.
So you have an opportunity to leave a comment
and it would really help me out. If you are a
regular viewer of my videos, if you do like this
podcast, whether it's the Footgrish podcast or
Danek's English podcast, why not leave a comment
and help me out a little bit? Because obviously
it will boost. algorithm and that's what all
people on youtube are asking for okay i'm not
gonna ask for anything else like likes of course
you can do that too but i'm not asking for it
because i think it's high time i ended this recording
and thank you for your attention and yeah i hope
to speak to you soon take care everyone bye