The Optus Football Podcast

The international break is back! And so are Schwarzie, Phil and Juls as they bask in the glory of San Marino's first ever competitive win. The guys also discuss: England's new style under Lee Carsley Why Australians wouldn't care if their manager didn't sing the national anthem Cristiano Ronaldo will reach 1000 career goals, but should he play at the next World Cup? Juls thinks France were worse a...

Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens are back with their 'Hot Takes' ahead of the return of the UEFA Nations League! This week:  There's a young bloke called Jack Grealish you need to keep an eye out for as England prepare for their campaign! Juls is adamant that Didier Deschamps no longer belongs on the sideline for France Schwarzie drops his own thoughts on both Germany and...

Schwarzie and Phil are reunited with Julien Laurens to pick the bones out of Liverpool's convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester United, as well as the rest of the weekend's Premier League action. They discuss: The contrast between Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot Casemiro's demise Can Ugarte be the difference for Manchester United? The reinvention of Ryan Gravenberch Mo Salah's contract saga Everton's h...

Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Jay Bothroyd are back with their 'Hot Takes' ahead of some key weekend fixtures in the Premier League. This week:  All focus is on this massive fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool We hear from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and new United signing Noussair Mazraoui on their approach to this match And, as always, the sparring between Phil and Jay...

Schwarzie, Phil and Jay wrap up the weekend's Premier League action on Optus Sport. Including: Manchester United's 'horrendous' defending Danny Welbeck's Indian summer Everton in crisis? Ange's man-management of Yves Bissouma Schwarzie puts his goalkeepers' union hat on! Is Morgan Rogers the next Bellingham? Cold Palmer, Hot Madueke Haaland calls out anyone who didn't put him in their fantasy team...

Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Jay Bothroyd are back with their 'Hot Takes' ahead of some key weekend fixtures in the Premier League. This week:  Jay drops a massive, 38-week prediction after just one week of football! Mark decides change has already occurred at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca  Phil drops a bomb about Manchester United that Red Devils fans may grimace upon hearing! Opt...

Schwarzie, Phil and Jay are reunited to reflect on the first weekend of Premier League football: Erling Haaland starts the new season with a goal - does Jay rate him yet? Nicholas Jackson's 'alarming' Chelsea performance Raheem Sterling's 'poor handling' of being dropped Arne Slot's positive start at Liverpool Is Diogo Jota a 20-goal-a-season striker? Massimo Luongo's Premier League debut Do Manch...

It feels like they've never been away! Schwarzie and Phil are reunited following their heart-aching 4-week hiatus. Joined by Bridgey, the lads get stuck into all things Premier League ahead of the season which starts this weekend live and exclusive on Optus Sport. Manchester City: Champions again? Why have Arsenal still not signed a striker!? Will anyone tip Manchester United for top 4? Can Ange b...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Julien Laurens in the Olympiastadion in Berlin to discuss all the action from the Final of UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Harry Kane 'not going to be there in 2026' The positives England can take out of the tournament How far can this Spain squad go? Player of the tournament, favourite moments, matches, goals and more! Listen to Optus Sport'...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in the BVB Stadion in Dortmund as they tackle all the action from Netherlands v England and look ahead to the blockbuster Final at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Kobbie Mainoo's man-of-the-match performance (rather than 'Goalscorer of the Match') Lifting the lid on England's attitude when Gareth Southgate was a player. Why we are failing to see the be...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in Dortmund as they tackle all the action from Spain against France and look ahead to Netherlands v England in the Semi-Finals at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Luis de la Fuente backs Lamine Yamal to get even better after 'iconic goal' France & Mbappe have been 'so far below their level' Phil's Harry Kane wish ahead of Dutch showdown There will b...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Julien Laurens inside the Olympiastadion in Berlin to discuss all the action on the second day of the Quarter Finals at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: How penalty data has changed for goalkeepers England's 'personality' can win tournaments Dutch variety is key to success How relevant is England's poor record against the Netherlands? There wi...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Julien Laurens outside the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg to discuss all the action on the first day of the Quarter Finals at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: João Félix's career goes from 'bad to worse'. Portugal's missed opportunity to begin transition away from Ronaldo N'golo Kante is still 'unbelievable'. Julian Nagelsmann did not get his sta...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in a car driving around Munich to take in the atmosphere after Turkyie took on Austria and the Netherlands clashed with Romania in the final round of 16 matches at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Cody Gakpo's impressive goal scoring stat. Romanian vibes can only get them so far. What Mark Viduka and Memphis Depay have in common. One of the most enterta...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are pitch side in Frankfurt to cover a dramatic night in the round of 16 at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: The toxic culture problem in the Belgium camp. Why France aren't worried about their lack of goals. Kevin De Bruyne's 'really disappointing' EUROs campaign. Diogo Costa's shootout heroics. There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are pitch side in Cologne as they cover all the action from Spain against Georgia and England's clash with Slovakia at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: The stark contrast between England and Spain Southgate's stubborn substitutes Spain, the team of the tournament so far yet still have weaknesses Georgia's brave EUROs run comes to an end There will be an epi...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Julien Laurens in their Berlin hotel to wrap up all the action from the first two matches of the round of 16 at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Luciano Spalletti's questionable tactics. The similarities between Switzerland in 2024 and France in the 2018 World Cup. Havertz both wonderful yet wasteful. The 2006 World Cup is still a sore spot fo...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are pitch side in Gelsenkirchen following Georgia's clash with Portugal (and almost get dragged out by German security), as they cover the final group stage matches at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Georgia's historic win over Portugal. The tantalising Round of 16 clashes now set. Projectiles thrown at Southgate. Mark and Phil's battle with German stadium...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are pitch side in Cologne following England v Slovenia, as they cover all the action from Group C and D at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Austria's smash and grab job in Group D. The 'baffling' Gareth Southgate substitutions and poor game management. How far can England go on the 'easy' side of the draw? Given they are currently a 'tough watch'. There wil...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in a beer garden in Cologne as they cover the sensational end to Group B at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: The dramatic end to the 'Group of Death'. What is next for Modric and Croatia? Criticism of England by former players: justified or over the top? There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast every matchday of UEFA EURO 2024! See e...

Mark Schwarzer, Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens are in Frankfurt Arena to breakdown the closing of Group A - in particular Switzerland v Germany - at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Where this crucial match was won and lost What should Germany do to best utilise Kai Havertz? The confidence the Switzerland side can take into their next match against either Croatias or Italy. The most conf...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in Dortmund to dissect the day's action after they attended Portugal against Turkiye at UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Ronaldo the odd one out in Portugal's side? Is Belgium's best player actually at the EUROs? What happened to Turkiye's fans? There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast every matchday of UEFA EURO 2024! See every matc...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are in a cosy hotel bar as they cast an an eye over another action-packed day of UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Ukraine's unlikely heroes Was Robert Lewandowski robbed of the Ballon d'Or in 2020? The pressure facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast every matchday of UEFA EURO 2024! See every match...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Julien Laurens pitch side in Gelsenkirchen after Spain v Italy as they wrap up day seven of UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Southgate lamenting Kalvin Phillips' absence Is Donnarumma a top ten goalkeeper? Nicho Williams announcing himself at EURO 2024 There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast every matchday of UEFA EURO 202...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by a gatecrashing fan in Stuttgart after Germany v Hungary as they wrap up day six of UEFA EURO 2024™. The fellas discuss: Who should be Germany's first choice keeper? Kroos is one of the best midfielders of the 21st century. Is this Jamal Musiala's tournament? There will be an episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast every matchday of UEFA EURO 2...