The History of Yugoslav Football Podcast
Football writer Richard Wilson presents a history of Yugoslav football from the 19th century to the 21st century. The podcast traces how the game developed across the former Yugoslav region and the political and social changes that shaped it. It covers clubs, players, competitions and the wider context of football in Yugoslavia. The series is aimed at listeners interested in both football history and the Balkans.
Episodes
24/25 Season Update - The Run-ins
As we come to the close of the season, what's going on...
24/25 Season Update - Giants in trouble?
It's a rapid round-up this time but it's not been a great spring in Zagreb or Celje so far...(well, it's been better in Celje, unless you want to see them in Europe next season because that might be an issue)
Episode Eighty Six - Sutrasnjica Part Two
For the final time in the timeline...
There's only one nation left to see Yugoslavia's dismantling complete and it's time to take Kosovo from the shadow of war to the light of statehood.
Episode Eighty Five - Sutrasnjica Part One
It's time to talk Serbia and Montenegro as they become Serbia AND Montenegro.
Episode Eighty Four - The Ends and the Means
Time to end the Croatian story with the story of how Dinamo set up modern football's greatest monopoly of success.
If you'd like to leave a question to be answered in the final couple of episodes, please leave a comment below or contact me @hyfprw on BlueSky.
Episode Eighty Three - The Nation Without a Nation
The final run finally begins as we round up North Macedonia's timeline...
This episode contains details of the final few episodes so if you'd like to contribute a question to be dealt with in one of the final two episodes, please leave them here on Spotify below or contact me direct @hyfprw on BlueSky.
Season 2024/25 Update - Nations League, Europe and more
Yes, it's been a while, hasn't it. I'll try to make up for that here...
24/25 Season Update - Openings and the Nations League
A run through international and domestic matters, transfer windows and Europe...
24/25 Season Preview - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Who wins? Vico decides.
24/25 Season Preview - Montenegro
The "Oh God, do I have to" of Season Previews comes around as a domestic scene diving into the toilet like it's Trainspotting comes up once more...
24/25 Season Preview - Serbian Superliga
With rule changes 8 days before the start of the season, a side that are basically owned by another side in the league, a side being basically run by the state and many others just plain in a state, it's time to talk about who Zvezda are going to beat this time round...
2024/25 Slovenian Prva Liga Preview
It's that time of year again as our attention shifts from the Euros towards domestic matters. Can Celje repeat or are they in for a big challenge from Maribor? Can Olimpija barge their way into the big two? New money, new Mura?
All that and a heck of a lot more...
Euro 2024 - Post Group Stage
All bow down and recognise our Slovenian overlords...
Euro 2024 Preview - Croatia
Can the Golden Generation actually get some gold?
Euro 2024 Preview - Slovenia
FourFourTwo described them as "most likely to be confused with Slovakia" but can Slovenia rise above the nonsense and make a bit of history?
Euro 2024 Preview - Serbia
The Manic Piksi Dream Boys make their way to Germany in a group against England, Denmark and Slovenia. But with an interesting squad selection, uninspiring form and fragility of many kinds, do they stand a chance?
2023/24 Season Round-up
Yes, I know, it's been a while. Last episode still had Hajduk in for the title at that point...
2023/24 Season Update - Title Clashes
In the next ten days we've three Eternal derbies, a top two face off in Slovenia and a lot more besides...
2023/24 Season Update - Winter Breaks
Every league covered:
Have Celje already sealed things? Who are the favourites in Croatia? Can Zrinjski make a comeback? Will Partizan implode?
All that and quite a lot more...
Episode 82.5 - A Bosnia Companion
While Bosnia's place in the timeline is complete, the ripples from decisions made during that time took time to show themselves. In this companion to those episodes, we connect the dots from the changes of the timeline to the very real disarray in Bosnian football of the current day.
Episode Eighty Two - When Three Become One Part Two
As Bosnia becomes a nation, so it gets a national side, while UEFA have one more bureaucratic change to make that will make the nation's gains wither on the vine.
Episode Eighty One - When Three Become One
We're back in Bosnia as it's time to explain the peace and explain how and why the nation went from three different systems into one as club football came back to life.
23/24 Update - The end of Euro 24 Qualfication
International football is done for 2023 and I'm apparently so happy about it I felt the need to be very sing-songy in the opening couple of minutes. Also being sung are the praises of Slovenia, Marco Pasalic and Montenegro all rounded up with the requiem mass of Bosnia's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad campaign.
23/24 Season Update - A long look at the HNL
With the top five in Croatia all having changed manager this season and sides seemingly set for the lowest points total of title winners ever, it's time to take a long look at just what's been going down this season in the league...
Episodes Twenty One and Twenty Two - Re-recorded
Two episodes that had, for some reason, disappeared from the feed rerecorded with a couple of small updates
Episode 21 - The Stars
Episode 22 - Munich
Covering Zvezda's mid-1950's rise, the 1956 Olympics and the Munich Air Disaster
With thanks to Louis Ostrowski (@ostrl) who advised me these episodes were missing
23/24 Season Update - Unfamiliar leaders...
Managerial Merry-go-rounds in Slovenia, Livaja problems in Croatia, conflict impacted schedules and more...
23/24 Season Update - A dive into the issues at Maribor
With losses to Celje and Olimpija confirming Maribor's status as also-rans in the title race this season, recriminations and communications have begun to define the season. This episode serves as an extended walkthrough just what's going on at the club as while last season's early poor form may have been worse, the issues now threaten to be far stickier and more troublesome.
Season Update 23/24 - European Groups of all kinds
A review of the latest international week and a preview of the upcoming massacre of the Serbian coefficient in the Group Stages of various competitions
Episode Eighty - Dragonsbane
We bid a fond nasvidenje to Slovenia from the timeline as Slovenia's mid-00s footballing crisis sends clubs to the wall, including none other than Olimpija.
23/24 Season Update - European Club Qualifiers
A race through the region's campaigns in the Champions, Europa and Conference League discussing fan problems in multiple ties, how not to sack a manager and the occasional bit of good news too...
23/24 Season Previews - Kosovan Superliga
It's the final season preview as Kosovo brings up the rear but will it be serving up something very similar to last season too?
23/24 Pre-season Preview - Bosnian Premijer Liga
Can Zrinjski break the European Group Stage hoodoo? Even if they don't, can anyone stop them? Is Varesanovic the difference between a title tilt and mid-table for Sarajevo? All that and quite a bit more...
23/24 Pre-season Preview - Serbian Superliga
With Kolubara's situation sorted, matters on the park can finally begin - is it another procession for Zvezda? Can Partizan fight back against TSC and Cukaricki? Which promoted side am I tipping for the top half? All that and quite a considerable bit more...
23/24 Pre-season Preview - Montenegrin CFL
Buducnost got this, haven't they?
23/24 Pre-Season Preview - Slovenian Prva Liga
Can Olimpija repeat, did Zan Vipotnik just cover up Maribor's problems and which side playing in Yellow will be finishing near the bottom? All that and an awful lot more...
23/24 Pre-Season Preview - Croatian HNL
Questions over Dinamo's structure, Hajduk's Livaja problem, Rijeka's bright future and a whole lot more...
23/24 Pre-Season Previews - Serbia and Sporting Integrity
An explainer on the current match-fixing allegations that have meant the Serbian season has had to be delayed and meant that, over a month after the 22/23 season ended, we still don't know exactly who will actually be playing in the Superliga next season courtesy of CAS, UEFA, the FSS and a whole cohort of clubs.
2022/23 Update - Nations League finals and Euro qualifiers
Goodbye 22/23, you're soooo last season...
2022/23 Season Update - Final Days
With the leagues a mix of finished or finishing soon, a round up of the goings on and fixes in the region
2022/23 Season Update - A deep dive into the situation at Partizan
Fans in revolt, tens of millions in tax debt and an uncompetitive side - just what is going on?
2022/23 Season Update - Titles decided and more
Olimpija secure the league, Zvezda on the brink of it (while Partizan are just plain on the brink) and plenty else to talk about...
2022/23 Season Update - Return of the leagues
A whistlestop tour through the later leagues returning in the spring and a review of what's happened in Croatia and Serbia who had the decency to come back a bit earlier.
2022/23 Half Term Report - Croatian HNL
Decoding what's going on behind the scenes at Dinamo as they play politics to keep themselves interested in a season where everyone seems to be rebuilding somewhat. Hajduk, Gorica and Rijeka all have new managers, there's big transfers afoot and Sibenik just keep drawing games.
2022/23 Half Term Report - Slovenia Prva Liga
Olimpija might be running away with things but they're hardly all that's going on with a massively tight race for Europe and a tight race to avoid relegation too...
World Cup Update - Croatia get Bronze!
A walkthrough the last week of the World Cup from a Croatia standpoint - disappointment in the Semi-final followed by celebration against Morocco
Serbian Superliga Half Term Report
The first Winter Break podcast goes to Serbia! Have Zvezda wrapped it up already? Are Vojvodina back? Can TSC challenge Partizan?
World Cup Update - Croatia advance to the Semis
Serbia may be long gone but Croatia knock out the favourites for the tournament and go on to the final four once more...
World Cup Update - After Group Stage Game 2
Serbia blow it against Cameroon while Croatia F Canada
Serbia 2022 World Cup Preview
An hour and twenty on Serbia! Yes - explaining why there isn't yet a squad announcement, explaining who will be in that squad, explaining who is in the group, trying to answer the question of what success will look like for Serbia and explaining what I generally think about Qatar 2022 in depth.
Croatia 2022 World Cup Preview
With the preliminary squad out, it's time for a long look at the chances for the Vatreni in Qatar. Is this vintage better than the Silver Generation?
Episode Seventy Nine - The Slovenian Supernova
In qualifying for France 98, Slovenia earned one point. Over the next four years, they reached the Euros and a World Cup before their golden age ended in disgrace as their greatest talent became their greatest liability.
2022/23 Season Update - Nations League time
A run through of the (ugh) international week and where we're at in the leagues as they paused for the Nations League
2022/23 Season Update - European Campaigns
Osijek disgrace themselves, plenty of playoff ties to watch for and plenty more!
2022/23 Season Preview - Croatia
The HNL is back - can Dinamo be toppled? Can others reach a European group stage? How will league reconstruction work? All that and plenty more!
2022/23 Season Preview - Slovenia
Yes, Slovenia has sports people other than Tadej Pogacar. Who knew? Over an hour talking about the upcoming season, the wild summer at Olimpija, the impossibility of predicting Celje and all that much more.
2022/23 Season Preview - Serbia
Zvezda hunt six in a row while everyone else hopes they stop being so perfect and actually give someone else a chance of actually winning the thing
2021/22 Update - Finales and Nations League
Come for talking about title wins, stay for me hopelessly trying to remember who won the Bosnian second tier...
Episode Seventy Eight - Bombs over Belgrade Part Three
With the Kosovo War at an end, what was going on in Serbian football, what was the fallout in Kosovo and in Serbia and Obilic. So Much Obilic.
2021/22 Update - Final Week Round up
Two titles still on the line with some moves up and down to be decided...
Episode Seventy Seven - Bombs over Belgrade Part Two
As Yugoslavia go to France 98, Kosovo slides into war as NATO get involved.
Profile - Ibricic and Tavares
With a couple of Prva Liga Legends retiring at the end of the season, it's time to show both a little love...
You can catch the video of Tavares' 8 second goal vs Domzale at https://youtu.be/hEe4WGTPECw
Episode Seventy Six - Bombs Over Belgrade Part One
After Slovenia came Croatia.
After Croatia came Bosnia.
After Bosnia would come Kosovo.
Episode Seventy Five - The Bronze Generation
Between 1996 and 1998, a new international footballing power was created - Croatia were finally allowed to go to the party and they were about to make a splash
2021/22 Update - Run Ins
As Serbia splits, it's naturally a good time to take a look at where things are across the former Yugoslavia with three big title races coming on and four that are a fait d'accompli
Episode Seventy Four - Yugo 96 Part Two
Bosnia-Herzegovina tries to co-exist, FR Yugoslavia try to survive exile and Macedonia just try to get on with it…
Episode Seventy Three - Yugo 96 Part One
Football came back to life after the wars and it's time to bring everyone back together to one point - this time, Slovenia and Croatia start their journeys...
Episode Seventy Two - A New Reality
As the nations of Yugoslavia peeled off into independence, they found a world changing rapidly around them as UEFA and FIFA had to answer the question of what exactly to do when you get twenty or so brand new nations all at once...
2021/22 Update - Winter windows and Title Races
Let's be honest, you might want some levity at this time given what's going on in the news so how does 28 mins of content about Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia sound?
Episode Seventy One - The Death of Velika Srbija
Croatia's and Bosnia's war comes to close and leaves behind it one of the most complicated footballing systems ever dreamed up...
Episode Seventy - The Worst of Both Worlds
As the Bosnian War evolved, it turned into a three-way brawl in Sarajevo, Mostar and, eventually, Srebrenica as all sides competed to see who could show the worst of humanity.
Episode Sixty Nine - Land of the Damned
The first of three episodes on the Bosnian war - this time, covering the slide into conflict...
2021/22 Update - Serbia at the break
With the most teams in the region comes the longest pod as Zvezda and Partizan go toe to toe at the top - plus Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo...
2021/22 Update - Croatia at the break
An inspiring title race but some not all that inspiring leaders as Dinamo set the pace...
2021/22 Update - Slovenia at the break
A league of two halves with a definite top five and bottom five as the guaranteed unpredictable title race Slovenia offers promises to deliver again...
Episode Sixty Eight - The Pariahs
With the Northern republics out, the rest of Yugoslavia had to focus on other things - like trying to retain the European Cup, trying to figure out what to do when half the teams in your league just leave and getting to Euro 92.
But everything would be taken out of their hands as the future would be changed in New York...
2021/22 Update - National Teams and more
...oh, and Mura beat Spurs.
Episode Sixty Seven - Due South
Eyes turn to Macedonia as they get independence, start a league and become embroiled in a debate over exactly what they're allowed to call themselves.
Episode Sixty Six - Moja Domovina Part Two
Wrapping up the first six months of war and also attempting to explain why everyone's changing name and just what exactly an Istra is...
2021/22 Update - Croatia
The World Cup in jeopardy, issues in Europe but what promises to be one hell of a title race - Croatia in the spotlight...
Episode Sixty Five - Moja Domovina Part One
Part one of our look through the Croatian Homeland War as we take a trip to hell in Vukovar
