S03E06 THE WAIT IS OVER… CZECHIA ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP🔥

You're listening to the FoodGlish podcast. Love football, learn English. What were the main factors behind Czechia's success in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup? Who were the standout players? Why did Domisovczyk lose the captain's arm band and his lads love Kreci a better captain? And what are some other ways to talk about qualifying for the World Cup and being eliminated? So hello everybody. The FoodGlish podcast is back. The FoodGlish podcast is a podcast about football and learning English. Yes, I'm Denik 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 result. We are going to celebrate the occasion. Just basically ramble about it in English. First of all, let me welcome my cousin, Honsa Popek, a passionate football fan and economist and an amateur historian. Honsa, welcome back to the podcast. Thanks. 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 Niche, my student, who is also a passionate football fan. He is working for one play sport 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 of my English and you're my English teacher. Well, there's a lot of pressure on you because I feel it. I feel big pressure. Yeah, yeah, yeah. If your English is not up to scratch, it's kind of on me, isn't it? It's my fault. Of course. I think the person under least amount of pressure here is Honsa probably. Yeah. You do. Yeah. Like a great connection between teacher and student. So yeah, both need to improve very well. But I think the idea is. Sorry, Honsa. 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 co-back, middle slap co-back, like the coach of the Czech national team. We have no one. It's just the three of us. So you're a coach. I'm a playing coach. You're a playing coach. You know, like in the village. Yeah, like 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. Where are you when the Czech Republic was in the World Cup last time, which was in. When 2006, I believe. So now I'm 33. So I was 13 years old. Yeah. But of course, I remember last World Cup. Very well. Yeah. Yeah. I remember it very well. And I lived for the World Cup. I felt big disappointment after the tournament because I remember that we are we Czech players when there are some big favorites. And I think they were on the second position in a FIFA ranking. Yeah. So it was big disappointment there because they didn't qualify it into the playoffs. Yeah. No, and our players were amazing at the time. Remember, we had just had this massive success in the euros. Because it was more when where we got more in the semi final, but everyone was saying we were we were the best team of the tournament. And check him started in very positive way because they beat USA 3-0. But young colar got injured in this game. And it was big trouble for for Czech team because he was his impact. And the team was was huge. So it was big problem for for Carol Brick. Yeah. And then the next game was against and because one is an amateur historian. I have to. Sorry, it's not about about it's not the issues because the neck knows that we were together there in it was in with Ghana. And it's not about the game's from the beginning. I think it seems promising. It seemed to be promising, but after second half it was some kind of disasters. We lost two nil. And it was a game. Yeah, you're right. The second half was like, I don't know. I think that Ghana was much more better than Czech team. Better Czech had I don't know maybe five or six great saves. So so it could be worse than two nil. Yeah, I think nobody expected that from us. Ghana, you know, we thought 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 Hunza. 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. Right. But now we are here to talk about this fresh success. It's amazing story of the Czech Republic finally making it after 20 years. So we now we are in the year 2026 right and it's quite fresh because several several days ago, I think three days ago or something like that. We won the final the final qualifier to it was the 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 exact the same. The result was also the same three to on panel three to it was two to in extra in extra time and then three to on penalties. And this time we beat Denmark, right? So did you see that coming? David did you expect this to happen or? No, because I think Denmark was a big favorite of of this game. Yeah. But of course I I can see two sides of the coin. Yeah, because of course after the after after these two games. Everybody can say something like oh, but the way how we qualified into the World Cup was not so so good. We played terrible. But in the end of the day, I think the most important fact is that we we did it. Yeah, checked in 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 it doesn't matter. Yeah, because we did it. We are looking forward to the World Cup. So, yeah. But of course I hope they will improve some some their skills and some some style of football and, yeah, I'm really looking forward to the World Cup. Well, so am I, but I want to ask, Hansa, do you think it was a bit undeserved and we go we got lucky or or how do you see it? I fully agree with it. It's like history doesn't ask about how but ask about if or yes or no. So it's it was we are there and I think it's it's a good and I think I don't remember the player, but usually in Czech Republic football doesn't have logic. Yes, Denmark is much more was played very well. He's like attackers. Have 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 and. One important point, because after very, very, very long time, I felt a big passion from Czech people, because I think Czech football has a strange sound last year, or they had, I think they were in very bad position among people. But after very long time, I felt a big happiness, and by the way, the second play of the game against Denmark, I spent this time in the pub because we organized a special football pub quiz, and after the quiz, we were watching the game against Denmark, yeah. And everybody supported Czech team, everybody, we were very allowed during the game, and I felt this atmosphere around us, and after 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 Czech Republic, Czech people, 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 on that? Yeah, I fully agree, it's a good opportunity to show that we are like unified, there is maybe just 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 like to support Czech team or another, I don't know, it's not about football, but another sport activity, so this is a good opportunity to celebrate that. Yeah, and it doesn't happen every day, 20, wait for 20 years, we are quite good at qualifying for the Euro, so we consistently make it there, but when it comes to the World Cup, it's not being the case and I think let's be honest, it's probably a much bigger tournament, much bigger competition which would more reach and sort of reputation and everything and it is not without problems, I don't like in Fantino, I really don't and there are some, a lot of controversies, but let's be honest, some things are beyond that and it's just, David, how big is this for even sort of the future of Czech football, for the 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 at the highest level, and you can say something like, hey, look at me, I would like to play in the best competition in the world, 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 Vladislav Kreici, by the way, so Wolverhampton is struggling in the Premier League, so I think that's another chance for Kreici 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, yeah, so, yeah, and it's not only about Kreici. Yeah, yeah, yeah, well, it's the captain now, we could, 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, one year, one year, all these, not like a very, very keen on football, is keen on, not yet, you know, and it should not yet, so, but I think it's a good opportunity to spread this like, yeah, but you have a total threat too, right? 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, right? 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, like, I know, I am guilty of this, once myself I play a lot of games and do a lot of different things, and you know, 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 like, IZOKI success in Olympic games in Nagano, so lots of people, lots of kids are trying to play IZOKI, and I think it was a good impact for Czech, IZOKI Czech sports, and IZOKI is not 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, not only my new, but reputation and maybe impact for more members to try to be registered. As a footballer, I try to be connected with Czech football, because on the other hand, last couple of days show that there are lots of, I have to say, better activities, which are. What is on the talking about David? Do you want to tell us more because you are a reporter and I'm sure you have a lot of information. It's great to speak, 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, because I have great memories of big tournaments, and I remember it when I was 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, yes, so I think it's a big opportunity to show big football players, and I can't say how big is the 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? Okay, I wanted to say something on something, absolutely. Okay, so I wanted to say that I don't know how big is the impact on children, but of course it's much better to see Czech players in the TV, and that's great, we have this opportunity to see or watch this game in Mexico, not how much Mexico ever. That would be amazing. Basically, this World Cup is in Canada, USA and Mexico, these two countries are sharing this whole thing. The team is going to play two games in Mexico and one game in Atlanta. Our group is the Mexican group, we have a We Are in Group A, and our teams will be Mexico South Korea and South Africa. And they will, and they will, I don't know how can I say it, but they are their central, I don't know how can I say it, because they will stay in Dallas, Dallas will be there. How can I say it? Camp, like they will have their camp in Dallas or something like that. Okay, nice man. I'm not going to say it. I wouldn't use basement, I would use the word base, not basement, but I hope they don't train in the basement. I think it might be a bit depressing, depressing there, but base, they're based. That's the word we are looking for. Yeah, okay, well, let's talk about the main factors, right? Not where 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 Net Paddle Net, we don't have Tomas Rositski, we don't have Karol Poborski, 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 Patrick Schick, the only world class player. So how did we, how did we do this? So my theory, right, is three L's, you tell me what you think, okay? Three L's, Ladislav Krayci, Latina and Lakh. That's my theory. What is the ranking? I came up with this, it's my own. idea. I think ranking ranking. I think you said, Ladislav Kreech, if first position, I did not, no, I did not mean it like that. I'm just saying, on the same level, yeah, it's my theory, it's my theory. So I just wonder if I'm thinking, I'm thinking about other factors. So of course, we have to mention Mr. Kobyk, new head coach of check national team, yeah, maybe maybe the passion, passion for football, because yeah, I was speaking about terrible performance from the game against Ireland, but despite of these performance, I felt that they really was, yeah, and then they really want to qualify into the next round. So, yeah, I think everybody wanted to win this game. And I think that's the way for for check republic or for check national team, yeah, and set pieces, yeah, because it's a it's a check, check players are experts for set pieces. And it was very important factors for both games. Yeah, right. So corner, corner kicks and throw in and three kicks and penalties. And penalties and penalties. Yeah, because we won on penalties twice. Hanza, when when when you were watching the penalties, where you come or 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 little bit. Yeah, because it's always how to say a lot of players. He needs to concentrate, but he needs some kind of lack. You think so? You think so? Because without lack. You say, as we are talking about Denmark, I think generally Denmark was if we can if we focus on players, they will have better players. Maybe. But what about Ireland? Because I think we actually played okay against Denmark, but we did not play very well against Ireland. And I the Irish players seemed like they were better players than us. What happened? What was happening there? That was for me that that game was more luck, more about luck than you are a Denmark game. Because I think we had a tactical plan, which worked against Denmark, but not not against Ireland. But I think there was big difference in the position of Czech team. Because before the game against Ireland, everybody would say something like, yeah, we are the favourite. And we have to be 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. So it's easier to be the underdog than the top dog. And of course, we were totally shocked. After first 20 or 25 minutes in a game against Ireland. Oh yeah, we didn't know what to do with them. And so we are still talking about the factor. So we mentioned luck. Oh my god. 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 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 lot of luck because of one bird. His name is Troy Parrot. And it's been wonderful for them. And he was great in that game as well. He's called a penalty. But then their luck has run out. We did it. Luck was on our side. Yeah, that's for sure. Letna. So I said letna because it's the stadium where the the final was played. And it's like a magical place. Right. They were the commentators were saying it's Lajislav Krić. He said it our captain because we we had some success in the past on that stadium, right, as well. So at that stadium, I should say. Yeah, of course, you are right. But I think we have to mention goalkeeper Kovac, yeah, because he was excellent during the penalties. So yeah, I think we can find another another factor. So, but of course, Kovac's performance was brilliant. So he was he was the hero too. Yeah. Absolutely. Well, he saved a lot of penalties and sometimes hypnotize the players who blasted the penalty into the 11th row or somewhere up the sky. And how do we say Kovac in English? On Zadino? I was questioned because I know you got especially David likes to organize quiz, quiz, quiz night. I really know. I really know. Blacksmith. Yeah, blacksmith. Yeah. Okay. Blacksmith. I tried Bacchars, but it's another butcher. Yeah. Butchers. And I'm thinking about another Czech player. Not too much illness. How can I say Korean in English? I'm ill. So, Tomasz ill or Tomasz sick? Yeah. Not everybody's name can be translated to be honest. Yeah. But it's fun to try to do that. That's for sure. Can I cheat? Taylor. Taylor? Well, I just love play. 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, onza? I'm 74, I think. 74 years old. And he's going to become the oldest coach in the world world cup's history. So that's going to be crazy. But 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. Yeah. I love this reaction and the press conference. He always makes sense. Whenever he's speaking, every single word he says, it all makes sense. He's not rambling at all. He's great. Yeah. I had the chance to meet him many times because of his job. Yeah. Because of his job. And he's different than other coaches. Yeah. Maybe it's about the age. Yeah. But I felt big respect from him. But I remember he was very funny after the game. Yeah. After the boost game interviews. And I heard he's very strict in addressing room. And it's important to have some another kind assistance. Yeah. So I mean, when you say kind, you mean like softer, not as strict, you mean? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I think it's very for him. It's very important to have some kind assistance around him. Like the idea of good cup, good cup and bad cup. Yeah. Yeah. But it's unbelievable. And it's his biggest success. And he's 74 years old there. So wow, that's great. And remember, I don't know, three years ago before his coaching of Pazay, I think nobody expected something like this. Yeah. So wow. So now I'm just going to repeat our listeners what happened basically why La Gisla Kreechi was the captain. And I think probably will now be the main captain in the future of the Czech Republic national team. And not Tomaj Soček. Because for five years, it was Tomaj Soček who was the captain. The biggest the biggest name are sort of main player in the Premier League, playing Paul Westham. I think everybody knows Tomaj Soček. And then there was there was a moment in the qualification we play against Ferro Islands. We lost two one. And then a few days later, there was a friendly game in all amounts 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 one nail. So two very poor results defeat against Ferro Islands in the qualification and a friendly game which we won against Gibraltar of one nail. 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 the 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 Ocec and Vladimirovsov, so Tomas Ocec the captain, Vladimirovsov, while 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. So they took a microphone and they started 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 gonna finish the story and then let you talk guys here. 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 Tomas Ocec 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 wanna ask Honsa for us, Honsa, yeah. Is it, is it, okay, I like Tomas Ocec, you guys know it. I've been watching his games for a long time now. I love him. But is this a blessing in this guys? Is this a blessing that this happened because now Krayči 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, Honsa? - So I think that the basic, basic, through or basic rules for each football players, especially in England, there is no reason and there is no way how to fight with fans because lots of bigger stars than so Czech, lost his position because they wanted to fight with fans. - No way. - You mean not physically, but like. - Not physically, but to be decisive. - To be precise. - Okay, we played, we played, we played bad, we need to say, say okay, we played well, but we are really, we really thank you to, - And we have come from the first half. - It's, I think in England, it's huge, I think it's a good thing that they try to thank all fans despite its, it's losing or it's winning. So it's, it's basic rule for footballers, especially in England, never ever discuss with fans about, about football. - It looked like they were blaming the fans for the big - Yeah, but I think it's, it's going to start in Czech Republic too, because no, no chance to win for footballers against, against like his fans. I don't know. - Right. - So David, I'm not really answering my question. I think kind of people. But David, it was, that's 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, yeah. Of course, few months ago, it was embarrassing in all modes, yeah, 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 wanted to change something, yeah. So they did it, yeah, they said no, so Czech won't be the captain, yeah. And so, and of course, last week, or we could see that, yeah, they, they chose the best captain. And I can say the same like you, I'm big fan of Tomasz Soczek, yeah. And I love his journey from, from Zhysko to West Ham, yeah. But he's not captain. I think it's not in his nature, yeah. - Well, he was captain for five years though. Five years, yeah. - It's very long time, yeah. And he's a hero. I love him, yeah. But he's not the captain in his blood, yeah. - And like his love, Kreechi is. - Yeah, and like his love Kreechi is. And look at the post games interviews, look at the body language, yeah. Look at the, I don't know, I think you can, you can see it in a moment when they started to speak, yeah. - No, yeah. No, I think you're right. Like he sounds like he really knows what he's saying. Where Soczek 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 accepted it. But what was it that he said? They can take, they can take my arm band, but not my heart. Which sounded a bit strange, to be honest with you. And I know he was, he was being honest. Honest 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 to hear. - You're right. - They took my arm band. I'm not, 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 arm band. They can take my arm band, but they will never take my heart. It sounds like I will never forget what they did to me. - Yeah, no, but I have no problem with this announcement, with this speech, yeah? But I think it's a bit awkward, yeah, but whatever. It's still my soul check. So he's always been like that. And I still respect him. Nobody's perfect, right? So Kreechi 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 knack for a goal, you know? - How about I think it's general approach, especially in like a corners that all players, which are like a capable to score, they are going to the box. - How about it? - It doesn't matter if it is defenders or striker or midfielders. So all have to be some kind of ability to score or to be valuable in attack. - Right. Okay. What about Patrick Schick 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 extra skilled player, yeah. But I think it was very difficult for him in these two games, yeah, we were speaking about Kraycchi. I think these games were especially for him, yeah? But not for Patrick Schick. But of course, I remember some moments when he showed his great skills, by the way, I remember his penalty in a game against Ireland. And it was very interesting because he stopped and he. - He stopped. - He's saying he's stuttered. It's like the moment before you kick, you stutter. - Yeah, but I wanted to speak about his sink 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. - Yeah. - Everyone can do that. It's a great skill to have. And he scored two penalties in that game against Ireland. And yeah. - And that's not easy to play two penalties or kick two penalties during the game. - And I think the coach Koebek also said that he had never seen Patrick Schick fight like that. He was really running pressing because sometimes he's associated with being a bit. I don't wanna say lazy, but not always running as much as the other players. It's his little bit, let's say, weakness or something that he sometimes does. But in these two games, he really wanted. He really wanted this win like everyone else and you could see he was a different animal. - He's different kind of player. Yeah, I think you can't compare him with Tomash Hori. Yeah, for example. - Well, you can compare him in size, maybe. That's the only thing. They're both quite tall. - Yeah, maybe. - Yeah. (laughing) - And okay, another player we have to mention, like we're not gonna go through the entire team on just mentioning some important names here. So I want to know what you think about Baville Schultz, who is the new Czech player of the year, by the way, if you didn't, in case you didn't know, not you, Hansel, but the listeners. Because I know we don't only have Czech listeners here. So Baville Schultz is playing for Olympic Leone in France and it's like the new Czech star, basically. came out of nowhere or like he was great in the Czech league but we did not expect him to do so well on the international stage and in France in Leon a great team. So Hansa how good was this player? Yeah so generally or definitely in couple of months great progress for Pavel Schultz. As in like how to say clap level he is his club level in France but also in national team. So let's say that he I think couple of miles he went through some in in in in in your period. So he was in the muscle he's like again in his to say level let's hope he will he will like stay on his current level and. Good progress but I think I would like to a little bit disagree with you I think he started playing very well in in prison like during some. Yeah yeah no I did say that yeah yeah definitely but like I think the world did not know about Pavel Schultz. Yeah but I think in Czech Republic seems to be very how to say. Promising players that's right two three years ago so 22 I agree I don't know I don't know how old is he but let's say how old is he. Well Schultz is 20 oh I'm not sure 24 years old I think 24 25 I will give me 10 seconds so yeah no definitely on the Apollo shoot but I wanted to ask you about his performance in these two games as well. 25 yeah it's it's some kind of like a maybe the best player in in in kind of like a mid midfield or attack attack position so especially I like I think it's it's popular. Like a to say he's passed to a provote in the I don't know 25 minutes I don't know exactly what minutes what was what it was. It was a time of wonderful football smart smart. He's a legend play for him and what about the goal you didn't mention it was good but it was some kind of what you mean it was good it was a world class finish it was a dreamer. Showing the replays of this like everywhere in the whole world man but but you know corners there was some how to say scramble scrambled and something not not prepared action but the action with if this action with provote will be score will be and with goal for me much more valuable than okay okay fair enough but but David the volley the volley come on. How sweetly did he hit that I think it's about his confidence yeah because yeah he's he's in a great form by the way I hope Leon is not the final destination for him yeah but yeah I think three years ago. So I think it's it's in his head because remember the difficult situation few years ago because some fans were angry with him because he didn't score goals and he had great chances yeah and I think very important was his playing for that's because he was on loan there and I think it was the start of this improvement yes so yeah 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 yeah but her but her name is franta franta which is a male name which is a male name yeah but but the cat is female get this female yeah this funny it's funny and and did you did you see the post game interview with shoots because some because general is asked him about franta and they they ask him something like what about franta during the world cup and he said I'm thinking about it so I hope franta will be there too because home my family is going to Mexico so I know 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 play then we have a match against South Africa and then finally against Mexico. So Hansa how do you see our chances to progress from this group and 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. No no no no no no maybe are you not are you not following are you not following African football Hansa no no no but I think if they if they promote it for a world championship ship and I think nigeria has gone from the Afcon. The other so I think yeah it will be for me how to say big question mark and the same I am not very well in for about South 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 South Africa South Korea big question mark to be honest right now from my from right now I'm not able to to name any South any how to say famous South Korean players. Son how about you played but he played in in the US I think in Dallas or some somewhere I don't know about this current form right current position maybe you know 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 wow guys I think it's it's going to be very difficult yeah so because it's because it's different because it's it's easy to say okay so it's going to be fine because we don't know these teams yeah yeah but if you look at the transfer mark to our transfer mark we have the most valuable team of all those four teams so we should be the favorites. Yeah but you know home home player for Mexico South Korean lots of I think lots of Koreans players are in Bundesliga so quite quite good and South Africa we don't know about the weather in Mexico so 30 30 38 30 40 degrees lots of check players are not very familiar with this weather. South Africa. 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 they were like these trumpets that people could buy and they everybody bought that one it was like a paper from paper or something like some I really don't know I think it's simple that I think it's plus it's plus something something cheap and simple that everybody bought and that they made a huge noise in the stadiums in South Africa during this World Cup was it. I can't remember when it was it 2012 for 20 2010 2010 yeah to be honest I also still like like Shakira Shakira and some and some yeah and Spain won this tournament. That's right and Slovakia did very well they yeah and Slovakia beat Italy I think it's a it's oh my god honestly if you have an Italian viewers and listeners I am really sorry guys you are 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 what a huge surprise that is you know. I think it's in this case it's like a I have to say example that not only group of big stars are a good team yeah Bosnia played like I have to say I can like a team with adding jackal. their captain is an amazing player. Amar Memej played for him. - Amar Memej, yeah, from Pozani. - Yeah, yeah. - And Adin Jekko, the captain, of course he used to play for Teplitzer when he was young. So another Jekko club. - Yeah, yeah. - So stars don't make a team. That's true and that's our only hope. You know, we will have to park the bus probably and play defensive, 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 newtrophants. And because a lot of people are gonna watch our game, they're not even Czech, right? - I'm on success side, of course. - No, it doesn't matter how we do it. We just need to win the World Cup, no matter what. - I lost you for two seconds, three. - 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. We are good at winning on penalties. We have never lost. - Yeah, yeah. - I think we have the game, would say. - Czech National team has like some experience with quite attractive play styles in some kind of European championship, but they lost with Greece. And the Greece played, I would say, horrible, horrible. - The point of life. - And then they won it. And then I won the Euros in the end. - But they played how to say only defense, I think. - Defense, 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 of it? Would you put your money on it? - No, we have no chance to win the tournament. (laughing) - Would you mean me on the chance? - That is always a chance. - Yeah, there's always a chance. It would be satisfied if we promote for the next level. - So you wanna get qualified, if we qualify from our group. - We have to be realistic. So of course, I think that there's the main goal to qualify into the playoffs. And after that, I will be totally happy. So if we get knocked out. - 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 it's gonna be very difficult. And. - But we have co-backs. We have factor X, Mr. Co-back, all this coach. He's the lucky coach as well. He doesn't even know how sometimes. - Okay, so maybe we will win the tournament, thanks to Co-back. - 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 that tournament. On the. What percentage would you give it that we can do this? - I don't know. Let's hope, I hope that there will be some success. So, 20%. - 20%, we win the tournament. That's. Yeah, I think that's not gonna happen. - Yeah, I know, but. Let me see, there will be some. Some how to say, some wish, some top secret wish and something like this. - Well, that'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. So. We don't know how, right? Why somebody's leaking the starting lineup three days before, but. - No, no. But then I think it was the same in Denmark, I think. And I think it's almost impossible to keep this secret until the game. Yes, so. You know it, players from the team have some families, so before the game. - I'm happy. - Sorry, I can't, yeah. And so, I think it's almost to keep it only in the team. So. - So you don't blame them and it's okay. You think it's okay. Maybe it's our secret weapon, guys. - No, but I think it's definitely modern. World, because journalists have many opportunities, many connections that it said, journalists, so he knows. - No, not the journalists, yeah. - He knows something from the team, so okay. And he has a good connection with somebody, so I think it's normally in Germany or in Port-Portugese and England. So there's this leakage because journalists are journalists and they. - Right. - 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 yeah. - Great. - Thank you very much. Take care. Take care. Bye, guys. - Bye. - Honza, have a good one. - Cheers. - Cheers. - Cheers. - Cheers. - Do this, catch it and you check. - Yeah. - Hop, hop, hop. (laughs) (upbeat music) - 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'd 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 Nietzsche. Speaking of David, he has a podcast himself, but it's in check. So if you would like to check it out, pun intended, then head over to the internet and type in, Druhi's Deniek, Druhi.deck, Zdenka Volprechta. He does it with his friend Zdeniek, Volprecht and X-footballer, and I think it's a great podcast, but you have to speak check to be able to enjoy it, because it is in check. 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. That's that. You can say, we are World Cup bound. 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 the tube was going, up north, right? Does it make sense? Basically, it's in the direction of, right? So we are heading, we are World Cup bound, means we are heading to the World Cup or something like that. Okay. We 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, "Boss, I'm gonna use Bosnia as an example here. I'm sorry to my Italian viewers and listeners. I'm not, 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, you 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, "Sweet and 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 manage to collect two points. Can you imagine two points? But they still qualified because there is another route to the World Cup via Nation's League. 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, "Checkier 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're going there. You're heading. You can head to the USA, meaning you're on your way to the USA. That's pretty much it. Talking about elimination, you can say, "Hard break for Denmark," which is kind of a newspaper headline to be honest with you. If something is a hard break for you, it breaks your heart. When you break up with someone, your girlfriend dumps you or your boyfriend, what's another way of saying this? Break up with you, then it's a hard break for you. It breaks your heart. If your World Cup dream is over for Denmark, it's a hard break for them. Another way of saying it is they bottled it. I've recently done this on my social media, on Instagram and here on my YouTube channel as well, as a real. I record these AI generated videos these days where I explained vocabulary. 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. Denmark were pretty close. 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 missed the chance, really. You missed 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, the biggest star of the last one, perhaps two decades, a Polish mega star, Robert Lewandowski. Unfortunately, it's not going to play at the World Cup. Poland have come up short against Sweden. They lost. To come up short, it's like an understatement. It's basically like a disappointing statement. When you come up short, you just fail to succeed. Of course, I said that you can say to be eliminated. To get knocked out. When it's a cup competition, you get knocked out, which this was in the end. It was a knockout stage. By the way, when we talk about the league stage, we would use different expressions. Obviously, you win the title. When you are in a lower division, you get promoted. The opposite of that is to get demoted or also to get relegated. That's when you're talking about the league stage. Then finally, you can say to miss out on something. 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. We made it here on the FoodGrich podcast. I'm also publishing this episode of the FoodGrich podcast as an episode of my other podcast called "Denex English Podcast". That's because I know I've been neglecting the other podcast as well. Just like I've been neglecting this one. I hope you don't mind me doing that. I'm killing two birds with one stone. Once again, let me know what you thought. This is also getting released as a video on the teacher's dengue YouTube channel. You have an opportunity to leave a comment. 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 FoodGrich podcast or the Denex English podcast, why not leave a comment and help me out a little bit because obviously it will boost algorithm. That's what all people on YouTube are asking for. I'm not going to 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. I hope to speak to you soon. Take care everyone. Bye-bye. [BLANK_AUDIO]