Any Given Thursday

Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Soccer
  • Updated Semiweekly

On Any Given Thursday, football enthusiasts Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist cover all things Europa League & Europa Conference League. Match-day reactions, club spotlights, untold stories, unique narratives — if it happens on a Thursday, we're talking about it. So from Reykjavík to Roma, Zürich to Zagreb, Bodø to Baku, and everywhere in between, join us as we explore European football beyond the oil clubs.

  1. 2d ago

    Across The Continent | Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, Süper Lig

    It's our final league preview episode on ACROSS THE CONTINENT, and to wrap up our journey through Europe's top 9 divisions, we're bringing you our takes on THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, and TURKEY's top flights. Beginning in The Netherlands' Eredivisie, we debate the order of the big 5, speculate if anyone can keep pace with PSV, explain why Ajax still has a ways to go in their restructuring, and highlight AZ Alkmaar's exciting roster. Over in Belgium's Pro League, we compare four sides off to flying starts – Union St Gilloise, Club Brugge, Gent, and Sporting Charleroi. Are these the clubs that will be battling for the title? And could Genk, Sint Truiden, or Royal Antwerp join them? Finally, in Turkey's Süper Lig, everyone is once again chasing Galatasaray. Will this be the year Fenerbahce finally catches them? And what about Mo Salah's Trabzonspor, who have already had a chaotic start to the season? We also explain why we're so high on Besiktas and why we think Vincenzo Italiano is one of Europe's most underrated managers. Plus, we discuss the strengths and weakness of each league as a whole. Who has the most depth in the midtable? And how would the best clubs in each other's divisions? Cheers to Okan Buruk! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 01:53 – Netherlands 15:04 – Belgium 23:51 – Turkey

  2. 5d ago

    Club Spotlight | S.C.U. Torreense

    Our CLUB SPOTLIGHT series returns, and our first club of the 2026-27 season is Portugal's S.C.U. TORREENSE. 2nd-tier Torreense shocked the footballing world by winning the Taça de Portugal, defeating the mighty Sporting in extra time. As a result, the small-town club earned Europa League football, despite not competing in the top flight since 1992. David breaks down the club's history and circumstances, its incredible cup run, and its outlook for the Europa League league phase. Cheers to Luís Tralhão! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 02:28 – club intro 06:59 – the cup run 18:25 – current team, Europa League outlook, & historical precedents

  3. Sep 21

    Across The Continent | Ligue 1 & Liga Portugal Previews

    For the fifth of six league previews to kick of ACROSS THE CONTINENT, we're taking on France's LIGUE 1 and Portugal's LIGA PORTUGAL. Over in France, we begin with the relegation battle and debate which of the recently promoted teams we like best, as well as why we think OG Nice could be in serious trouble. Next, we tackle mid-table and European outsiders, including some clubs with unusual financial stability and upside for a league often strapped for cash. Then, we hit on the usual suspects in the European races, including Lille, Lyon, Rennes, and Lens, sharing concerns for Marseille and excitement for new-challengers Paris FC. Can Liam Rosenior man-age his new side to glory? And finally, just how good do we think Monaco is? Can they actually compete for the title? For the latter portion of the episode, we head to Portugal, where we're set for yet another photo-finish of a title race between Porto, Sporting, and Benfica. Porto has embraced continuity, Sporting has embraced change, and Benfica swapped Mourinho for Marco Silva – so who has the edge? We then finish we a trip to the island of Madeira, where its two clubs, Marítimo and Nacional will reignite their derby this season after Marítimo's return to the top flight. Cheers to Stéphane Dumont! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 01:24 – Ligue 1 | intro 04:05 – Ligue 1 | relegation 13:45 – Ligue 1 | mid-table 21:18 – Ligue 1 | European push 27:28 – Ligue 1 | Champions League 35:40 – Liga Portugal | title race 41:58 – Liga Portgual | Medeira derby

  4. Sep 19

    Benfica's the best, Bournemouth off the mark, & Besiktas belittles Marseille | Europa League, Match-Day 1

    The Europa League league phase is back, baby! We begin by discussing Match-Day 1's top stories, including Benfica beating Milan at the San Siro, Besiktas taking it Marseille, Bournemouth's first European win at Real Sociedad, OFI Crete's triumphant return to Europe, and Torreense's famous win in Norway. Then we revisit our pre-league phase power rankings and refresh the top ten, with a new number one and new additions to the top ten, before moving on to our week's winners and losers, and introducing our new PANIC METER. Spoiler: Marseille and NEC's high-line get high grades. Finally, fortify our list of teams who can actually win the competition this season – no paper tigers allowed. Cheers Christos Kontis! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 2:16 – top stories | Benfica-Milan, Besiktas-Marseille, OFI-Hoffenheim, Bournemouth-Real Sociedad, Torreense-Lillestrom, Crystal Palace-Lech 27:50 – power rankings reflections 34:07 – winners & losers 37:06 – panic meter 45:45 – the teams that can win the Europa League

    Benfica's the best, Bournemouth off the mark, & Besiktas belittles Marseille | Europa League, Match-Day 1

  5. Sep 14

    Across The Continent | Bundesliga Preview

    ACROSS THE CONTINENT returns with our 4th league preview – and this time we're heading over to Germany to take a look at the BUNDESLIGA. We begin by getting the Bayern and Dortmund plaudits out of the way, including complimenting Dortmund's summer business, before delving into teams we like and dislike. In the segment, we ask the hard questions. Can new coaches in Leipzig and Leverkusen put the pieces together in time to challenge for Champions League? Is Mainz's attack really this good? And is Gadblach destined for a relegation battle (recorded before the sacking of their coach)? Naturally, we're aligned on two of our favorites German clubs of late, Stuttgart and Freiburg. What makes them such models of consistency? Then we discuss the three promoted teams, including Elversberg's dream start to their first ever top flight campaign and Paderborn and Schalke's chances of survival. We also debate which established sides might find themselves in trouble come next spring. Finally, we reveal our official table predictions for the year and wonder who the hell Vincent Kompany's stylist is. Cheers to Vincent Kompany and Miron Muslić! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 06:16 – Bayern & Dortmund 10:41 – teams we're out on 22:40 – teams we're in on 31:57 – promoted teams & relegation candidates 43:04 – official table predictions

  6. Sep 11

    Conference League | League Phase Preview

    It's time for our annual Conference League league phase preview! We begin by going through our power rankings and identifying the primary contenders in the tournament. We explain why we think Brighton, Monaco, and Freiburg are a cut above the rest and why Atalanta has a lot of work to do. We also identify some of our favorite teams outside of the top echelon, including Copenhagen and Frankfurt, and some teams that have a lot to prove, like Trabzonspor. We move on to some of our favorites mixtures through the six match days, including blockbuster matchups between contenders, and discuss the hardest and easiest schedules. We also select some of our favorite upset candidates who could surprise. Next, we draft our top contenders to make the top 8 in the final table, thus securing the all-important bye to the round of 16, and finish the episode with another edition of New Fun Kids To Watch (In A Sporting & Not Creepy Way). Which Conference League youngsters are destined for stardom? Cheers to everyone (who's morally deserving)! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 24:52 – betting favorites 26:29 – fixtures, hardest + easiest schedules 33:14 – top 8 draft 40:48 – youngsters to watch

    Conference League | League Phase Preview

  7. Sep 7

    Across The Continent | La Liga Preview

    Our sister show, ACROSS THE CONTINENT, is back with a preview of LA LIGA. We begin with Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid. The early signs are positive – particularly his relationship with the likes of Mbappe and Bellingham – but can they sustain elite play? We debate whether they can keep pace with Rodri, Yamal, and Barcelona. We also discuss Atlético's chances of keeping pace after a summer of big business, as well as drama with star striker Julian Alvarez. Can they mend that relationship in time to threaten Barca and Madrid? Next, we make our predictions for the rest of the European spots, including why we're high on Real Betis, a little skeptical of Real Sociedad, and why Villarreal might need a little time to gel. Finally, we spotlight the three promoted clubs, take a stab at the relegation battle, and identify some clubs that might surprise and delight. Cheers to Hansi Flick and José Alberto López! Chapters: 00:00 – the start 01:58 – Madrid + Barcelona 11:23 – Atlético 14:01 – Champions League + European spots 22:32 – surprise teams 25:54 – promoted teams + relegation fight 32:19 – table predictions

  8. Sep 4

    Europa League | League Phase Preview

    It's time for our annual Europa League league phase preview! We start by discussing Italy's offering – Milan and Juventus – who should be tournament favorites. How good are they, and how much pressure should Italy feel to win the competition this year? We also spotlight a few clubs who have had notable summers. Leverkusen and Besiktas have spent lots of money to bring in attacking talent. How close are they to breaking through to contender status? Celtic have completed compelling business during the window, as well. Can they make noise under stalwart Martin O'Neill? Then we introduce our new, poorly-named segment: New Fun Kids To Watch (not creepy). Max picks 5 youngsters across the tournament loaded with promise and destined for big things. Keep the receipts! Next, David selects his favorite match-day 1 fixtures before we run through our league phase power rankings. Who lands in the top 8? Who falls outside knockouts qualification? Along the way, we touch on the unusual grouping of English sides, Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Palace, Benfica's claim as a tournament frontrunner, Union St Gilloise's ability to make a run, and Portuguese 2nd-tier Torreense's chances at competing. Finally, we make some bold predictions, including our winners of the whole competition. Cheers to everyone (except the French)! Timecodes: 00:00 – the start 02:13 – Italian favorites | Milan & Juventus 10:07 – teams to watch | Leverkusen, Besiktas, Celtic 22:17 – teams that might surprise | Union St Gilloise 24:31 – youngsters to watch 32:11 – best match-day 1 fixtures 37:15 – power rankings 50:24 – table surprise & we pick our winners

    Europa League | League Phase Preview
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About

On Any Given Thursday, football enthusiasts Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist cover all things Europa League & Europa Conference League. Match-day reactions, club spotlights, untold stories, unique narratives — if it happens on a Thursday, we're talking about it. So from Reykjavík to Roma, Zürich to Zagreb, Bodø to Baku, and everywhere in between, join us as we explore European football beyond the oil clubs.

Information

  • Creator
    Maxwell Brown & David Blomquist
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    213
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    Any Given Thursday