Hello to you all,

on this week's action packed The Week in Football we have the following assault on your eardrums:

• OleOle's very own The Lord of the Wing talks about the Aidan McGeady situation at Celtic
• We wholeheartedly welcome the return of Sam Allardcye and his fantastic brand of football to the Premier League
• Paul Ince's departure
• Italy
• Spain
• Where are they know
• Fantasy Football update
• Premier League predictions

And there's more waffle in there too. You can subscribe to The Week in Football using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the RSS feed itself the URL is here, you can download the podcast directly here or you can listen from this page:

And remember, your comments and suggestions for the show are always welcome. Feel free to leave a comment here on the blog or email podcast@oleole.com.

And due to the way Christmas is falling this year there won't be a podcast next Thursday. However, given all the football that's on over the festive period we'll get ourselves together and get an episode recorded a few days afterwards.

So until then thanks for listening, I hope you and yours have a very happy Christmas. Talk to you soon.

It's well known that Thierry Henry wasn't a big fan of Alexander Hleb. The Belarussian was often on the end of a withering stare from Henry after another pass went astray or a move broke down.

Of course the pair get to continue their great friendship at Barcelona now that Hleb has signed for the Catalan club. Henry was at the press conference last night to announce Hleb's arrival and this picture really does speak a thousand words.

heh, classic.

I'm not a Man United fan, as you well know, but if I were I'd be most unhappy with the comments made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Talking about Cristiano Ronaldo he says:

In football there’s too much modern slavery. I’m always in favour of protecting the player. If he wants to leave, let him. 

What about contracts then? What about protecting the clubs who pay large transfer fees and extortionate wages to players? Imagine if the club said 'We don't feel like paying you', what kind of outcry would there be then? 

A player saying 'I don't want to play for you' is the same, except he still gets his wages every week, doesn't he?

Blatter, of all people, should be trying to create some stability in the game yet now more players will look at the head of FIFA saying this and think the way players act these days is acceptable. Not that anything Blatter says is susprising. Does he have friends at Real Madrid? Would that explain why he's so in favour of allowing Ronaldo to leave United?

And for him to say players are 'slaves' is absolutely reprehensible. How can somebody being paid what professional footballers are paid be a 'slave'? I'd happily be a slave for £40,000 a week or £20,000 a week for that matter. In a world where real slavery still exists it's an incredibly tasteless remark from an incredibly tasteless man.

The game is being ruined by money and sadly those in charge of football these days are driven by cash, not by what's good for the game. Blatter, once again, has shown himself up as a man with no great interest in the game, only in how much money can be siphoned from it.

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For those wondering about The Week in Football podcast our summer holidays, so to speak, are ongoing. Tom Thom(p)son is travelling around the upper-delta region of County Cork while I'm typing this from the Holiday Inn in San Jose. Or, from my house, whichever suits you best.

We'll be back next week to cover pre-season, Italy, Spain and all the usual bits and pieces. 

We're also going to make the blog more bloggy this season, with more comment, pictures, news etc etc so do bookmark.

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So Spain were deserved winners of Euro 2008 last night. I think most people agree they played the best football and on the night Germany really didn't trouble them at all.

In today's Eurocast we get perspective from both sides. Our regular Spanish correspondent Luigi and our German correspondent Tom give their opinions on last night's final while Tom Thom(p)son and I chat in studio about it.

A bit later in the week we'll be looking for your emails/voicemails about the bests and worsts of the tournament. We'll put up a blog post here to tell you exactly what we're looking for so hold off until then. Perhaps to get the conversation going in the comments today people could select their team of the tournament. 

I don't mean 'Spain' or 'Russia' but pick the best XI from all the teams who took part in Euro 2008. And what did you think of the tournament anyway? To me it was much more enjoyable than the last World Cup. Your thoughts very welcome.

I just want to say thanks to everyone who contributed to the Eurocast - whether by voicemail or email it's much appreciated.

Remember, you can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here (this is also the subsctription for the Week in Football, the regular podcast which will be coming back soon), if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

That's that. 

Morning all,

hard to say that Spain didn't deserve that last night, particular given the way Fabregas came on and inspired the team. Villa's injury should see him start the final which is a good thing for football purists - he's been fantastic whenever he's played.

What do you think? Were you as disappointed in Arshavin as some of the emailers to the Eurocast today? Was he found wanting when the stakes were high?

Your thoughts welcome in the comments, as always. No predictions for the final yet - there's another post to come to do that and hopefully a preview show before Sunday. Your thoughts via email or voicemail are more than welcome for that. Don't be shy.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Right then, that'll do. Until the next one, cheers.

We'll start with congrats to 4ndyL who got both games right in yesterday's predictions. Erm, actually no he didn't. So I withdraw those congratulations and give him half back for getting the Spain result right along with wandarah.

As usual I got none right so for anyone just starting this prediction thing my advice would be to look at what I do and do differently.

It's the first quarter final today though, so that means only one prediction so I have 50% less chance of being wrong. Or something. I reckon Germany are going to do it, actually. 

Germany 2-1 Portugal

Lehmann to save a Ronaldo penalty too. Let us know what you think in the comments. I do like the knock-out stages though, it does make for more exciting football.

Now for the Eurocast. We've got an unhappy Swedish correpondent after his country's exit to the impressive Russia last night, Luigi talks about Spain's win over Greece and how the Spanish press are already starting to build up the game against Italy and a look ahead to tonight's game with Tom Thom(p)son.

Please do keep the emails and voicemails coming though. The more the merrier.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Right then, get your predictions in. More tomorrow.

Let us start this morning with congratulations to all 4 who got the Romania v Holland result right yesterday.Well done Hitzelspergandchip, d_gaffa, fskis and Number8. Good stuff.

For today's games I predict the following:

Spain 3-0 Greece

Sweden 1-1 Russia

Give us your predictions in the comments.

On today's Eurocast Tom Thom(p)son and I discuss yesterday's games we get both a French and Italian perspective on things from correspondants Ollie and Gabriele. Find out how I won €500, stepped in a slug and listen out towards the end for the bloke who has the best job on the planet with thanks to Baselgooner.

Remember, we do want to hear from you for the Eurocast. We'd love to get your voicemails and emails - so if there's anything you want to share with us just get in touch.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Right then, get your predictions in. More tomorrow.

Morning all,

a bit later than usual but better late than never. Although that remains open to discussion. Let's start as usual with the predictions. Firstly congrats to ElTorro and 4ndyL who both got the Croatia v Poland result correct yesterday.

I keep expecting lots of goals in games, perhaps it's time to think differently. So for today:

Romania 1-2 Holland

Italy 1-0 France

Expect a glut of goals now! In today's Eurocast, the Euro 2008 podcast, we talk to German correspondant Tom about the 1-0 win over Austria and he's not optimistic about Germany's chances against Portugal in the next round. We also catch up with our regular Italian correspondant Gabriele and he previews Italy v France from an Italian perspective.

Plus there are your emails and voicemails and do please keep them coming.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Till tomorrow...

Morning all,

welcome to the Eurocast, the Euro2008 podcast, and the Euro 2008 predictions game.

Catching up on the weekend's predictions I got my first one right! Hurrah. A 2-1 win for Spain over Sweden did that. Joining me in correctness on that one were robotninja51 and Algunner. ElTorro got Russia's 1-0 win over Greece correct.

For today I'm going with:

Austria 1-3 Germany

Poland 1-2 Croatia

Your predictions in the comments please. In the Eurocast we catch up with all the weekend's football including Turkey's astonishing comeback against the Czech Republic and Spain's victory over Sweden. 

Remember, we do want to hear what you think, either by email or voicemail so don't be shy, get involved.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Till tomorrow...

Happy Saturday to you all,

this is the Eurocast, the podcast that doesn't even take weekends off! That's how dedicated we are. As usual we'll start with the predictions. None right yesterday for anyone and I have to say I'm down money on my betting. I need a big one to get me back on track. So for today I reckon:

Spain 2-1 Sweden

Greece 0-3 Russia

Your predictions welcome in the comments.

On today's Eurocast we talk France v Holland. What a win that was for the Dutch and we look at it from both sides with French correspondant Ollie and Dutch correspondant Ashwin. There's comment on Italy v Romania too and a brief look ahead to today's games.

Do feel free to email or voicemail the show at any stage though. We'd love to hear from you.

To contact us use the info below:

UK -  +44 20 7193 6971

SWISS - +41 44 586 62 08

But that's not all. If you have Skype you don't even have to pay for a phone call. Simply add 'oleole.com' as a contact then use Skype to call us. It'll go directly to the voicemail.

And if that's not enough we're happy to get your emails too - send them podcast@oleole.com

You can subscribe to the Eurocast using iTunes by clicking here, if you want to subscribe to the feed itself the feed URL is here, you can download directly here or you can listen from this page:

Ciao...