{"status":"ok","feed":{"url":"https://thepanenkablog.com/feed/","title":"The Panenka","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/","author":"","description":"A blog dedicated to European Football, World Soccer, and the 2018 World Cup in Russia","image":"https://s0.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.png"},"items":[{"title":"Spain Appoint Hierro After Sacking Lopetegui","pubDate":"2018-06-13 22:39:18","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/13/spain-appoint-hierro-after-sacking-lopetegui/","guid":"http://thepanenkablog.com/?p=5017","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Fernando Hierro will be Spain\u2019s manager for the 2018 World Cup after it was announced the former Real Madrid and Bolton man would replace Julen Loptegui just two days before the tournament kicks off. Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales (pictured right)\u00a0removed Lopetegui from the post\u00a0just two days before the national team\u2019s Group B opener \u2026 Continue reading Spain Appoint Hierro After Sacking\u00a0Lopetegui\n","content":"Fernando Hierro will be Spain\u2019s manager for the 2018 World Cup after it was announced the former Real Madrid and Bolton man would replace Julen Loptegui just two days before the tournament kicks off. Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales (pictured right)\u00a0removed Lopetegui from the post\u00a0just two days before the national team\u2019s Group B opener \u2026 Continue reading Spain Appoint Hierro After Sacking\u00a0Lopetegui\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Group B","Spain","World Cup 2018","World Cup coach","2018 World Cup","Fernando Hierro","Julen Loptegui","Julen Loptegui sacked","Luis Rubiales","Real Madrid","Spain coach","Spanish Football Federation"]},{"title":"Nike Drop Iran Boot Deal Ahead of World Cup Due to Sanctions","pubDate":"2018-06-12 21:58:53","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/12/nike-drop-iran-boot-deal-ahead-of-world-cup-due-to-sanctions/","guid":"http://thepanenkablog.com/?p=4938","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Sportswear giant\u00a0Nike have confirmed it has stopped supplying Iran\u2019s football team with boots\u00a0ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions. A statement from Nike said the company was forbidden from supplying kit to the\u00a0Iranian team as it prepares for its opening World Cup game. \u201cUS sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply \u2026 Continue reading Nike Drop Iran Boot Deal Ahead of World Cup Due to\u00a0Sanctions\n","content":"Sportswear giant\u00a0Nike have confirmed it has stopped supplying Iran\u2019s football team with boots\u00a0ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions. A statement from Nike said the company was forbidden from supplying kit to the\u00a0Iranian team as it prepares for its opening World Cup game. \u201cUS sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply \u2026 Continue reading Nike Drop Iran Boot Deal Ahead of World Cup Due to\u00a0Sanctions\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Uncategorized"]},{"title":"Rodney Wallace: Costa Rica\u2019s World Cup star on Brazil experience","pubDate":"2018-06-06 10:00:21","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/06/rodney-wallace-costa-ricas-world-cup-star-on-brazil-experience/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4924","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Costa Rica\u2019s Rodney Wallace on missing the 2014 World Cup, why he think this team can emulate that success and what he learned from life in Brazil ahead of their Group E clash. \u201cWe did it in 1990 with Brazil in the group so why not do it again?\u201d That was the view of Costa \u2026 Continue reading Rodney Wallace: Costa Rica\u2019s World Cup star on Brazil\u00a0experience\n","content":"Costa Rica\u2019s Rodney Wallace on missing the 2014 World Cup, why he think this team can emulate that success and what he learned from life in Brazil ahead of their Group E clash. \u201cWe did it in 1990 with Brazil in the group so why not do it again?\u201d That was the view of Costa \u2026 Continue reading Rodney Wallace: Costa Rica\u2019s World Cup star on Brazil\u00a0experience\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Costa Rica","Group E","Uncategorized","World Cup 2018","World Cup player","2018 World Cup","Costa Rica Rodney Wallace","New York City FC","Recife","Rodney Wallace","Rodney Wallace Costa Rica Squad"]},{"title":"Tunisia Keeper \u2018Fakes\u2019 Injury to Help Players Break Ramadan Fast","pubDate":"2018-06-05 10:00:46","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/05/tunisia-keeper-fakes-injury-to-help-players-break-ramadan-fast/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4921","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Tunisia\u2019s goalkeeper, Mouez Hasan, appeared to be feigning injuries in two friendlies so his teammates could break their fast mid-game. Tunisian footballers have devised a clever plan of breaking their Ramadan fasts during recent World Cup friendlies. In both of their games\u00a0this week, Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen went down early in the second half complaining \u2026 Continue reading Tunisia Keeper \u2018Fakes\u2019 Injury to Help Players Break Ramadan\u00a0Fast\n","content":"Tunisia\u2019s goalkeeper, Mouez Hasan, appeared to be feigning injuries in two friendlies so his teammates could break their fast mid-game. Tunisian footballers have devised a clever plan of breaking their Ramadan fasts during recent World Cup friendlies. In both of their games\u00a0this week, Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen went down early in the second half complaining \u2026 Continue reading Tunisia Keeper \u2018Fakes\u2019 Injury to Help Players Break Ramadan\u00a0Fast\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Group G","Tunisia","World Cup 2018","World Cup player","2018 World Cup","Mouez Hassen","Mouez Hassen fake","Ramadan","Tunisia 2018 World Cup","Tunisia goalkeeper","Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen"]},{"title":"2018 World Cup Preview, Group H: Poland and Colombia Favorites but Anyone Could Advance","pubDate":"2018-06-04 12:23:07","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/04/2018-world-cup-preview-group-h-poland-and-colombia-favorites-but-anyone-could-advance/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4906","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Group H is perhaps the most open in the tournament. While every team will fancy their chances of progressing, Poland and Colombia are the favorites for the top two spots. via Forbes Poland, who were unfortunate to lose to eventual winners Portugal on penalties in the Euro 2016 quarter-final, will again be looking to prolific \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group H: Poland and Colombia Favorites but Anyone Could\u00a0Advance\n","content":"Group H is perhaps the most open in the tournament. While every team will fancy their chances of progressing, Poland and Colombia are the favorites for the top two spots. via Forbes Poland, who were unfortunate to lose to eventual winners Portugal on penalties in the Euro 2016 quarter-final, will again be looking to prolific \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group H: Poland and Colombia Favorites but Anyone Could\u00a0Advance\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Colombia","Group H","Japan","Poland","Senegal","World Cup 2018","2018 World Cup","2018 World Cup Groups","Polan 2018 World Cup squad","Robert Lewandowski"]},{"title":"2018 World Cup Preview, Group G: Belgium and England to Battle It Out","pubDate":"2018-06-02 10:00:29","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/02/2018-world-cup-preview-group-g-belgium-and-england-to-battle-it-out/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4889","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Belgium are favorites, but both they and England will have been happy with the draw. via Forbes The Red Devils qualified convincingly, winning nine out of 10 fixtures and scoring 43 goals (though 15 were against minnows Gibraltar). With Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard \u2013 two of the Premier League\u2019s best players \u2013 expect \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group G: Belgium and England to Battle It\u00a0Out\n","content":"Belgium are favorites, but both they and England will have been happy with the draw. via Forbes The Red Devils qualified convincingly, winning nine out of 10 fixtures and scoring 43 goals (though 15 were against minnows Gibraltar). With Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard \u2013 two of the Premier League\u2019s best players \u2013 expect \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group G: Belgium and England to Battle It\u00a0Out\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Belgium","England","Group G","Panama","Squads","Tunisia","World Cup 2018","2018 World Cup","2018 World Cup Group H","2018 World Cup Group H Preview","2018 World Cup Squad"]},{"title":"Peru Captain Paolo Guerrero Cleared to Play Despite Drug Ban","pubDate":"2018-06-01 13:10:30","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/06/01/peru-captain-paolo-guerrero-cleared-to-play-despite-drug-ban/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4886","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Peru captain Paolo Guerrero can play at this summer\u2019s World Cup after a Swiss tribunal ruled on his drug ban. The court agreed on Thursday to temporarily lift a 14-month suspension, imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), while it considered the 34-year-old striker\u2019s appeal. The captains of Peru\u2019s Group C rivals Australia, \u2026 Continue reading Peru Captain Paolo Guerrero Cleared to Play Despite Drug\u00a0Ban\n","content":"Peru captain Paolo Guerrero can play at this summer\u2019s World Cup after a Swiss tribunal ruled on his drug ban. The court agreed on Thursday to temporarily lift a 14-month suspension, imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), while it considered the 34-year-old striker\u2019s appeal. The captains of Peru\u2019s Group C rivals Australia, \u2026 Continue reading Peru Captain Paolo Guerrero Cleared to Play Despite Drug\u00a0Ban\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Group C","Peru","World Cup 2018","World Cup player","2018 World Cup","Paolo Guerrero","Paolo Guerrero Drug Ban"]},{"title":"Germany Provisional Squad Fight for Contention, Literally","pubDate":"2018-05-31 10:00:35","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/05/31/germany-provisional-squad-fight-for-contention-literally/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4881","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Tempers flare at Germany World Cup camp as Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich clash during training. Germany may be the current World Cup champions but it seems things aren\u2019t running as smoothly as manager Joachim Low would like in his training camp. Indeed, Tuesday\u2019s training session took a turn for the worst after Antonio Rudiger \u2026 Continue reading Germany Provisional Squad Fight for Contention,\u00a0Literally\n","content":"Tempers flare at Germany World Cup camp as Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich clash during training. Germany may be the current World Cup champions but it seems things aren\u2019t running as smoothly as manager Joachim Low would like in his training camp. Indeed, Tuesday\u2019s training session took a turn for the worst after Antonio Rudiger \u2026 Continue reading Germany Provisional Squad Fight for Contention,\u00a0Literally\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Germany","Group F","Squads","Teams","World Cup 2018","2018 World Cup","Antonio Rudiger","Bayern Munich","Chelsea","Germany squad","Joachim Low","Joshua Kimmich","Julian Draxler","Miroslav Klose","PSG"]},{"title":"2018 World Cup Preview, Group F: Champions Germany Should Pip Mexico and Sweden","pubDate":"2018-05-30 10:00:13","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/05/30/2018-world-cup-preview-group-f-champions-germany-should-pip-mexico-and-sweden/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4878","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Germany always seem to be among the World Cup favorites and 2018 is no different. via Forbes In qualifying, the World Cup holders were typically ruthless, cruising into the finals with a 100% record \u2013 10 wins from 10. A handful of players who started the 2014 final will feature, joined by some hugely impressive \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group F: Champions Germany Should Pip Mexico and\u00a0Sweden\n","content":"Germany always seem to be among the World Cup favorites and 2018 is no different. via Forbes In qualifying, the World Cup holders were typically ruthless, cruising into the finals with a 100% record \u2013 10 wins from 10. A handful of players who started the 2014 final will feature, joined by some hugely impressive \u2026 Continue reading 2018 World Cup Preview, Group F: Champions Germany Should Pip Mexico and\u00a0Sweden\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Germany","Group F","Mexico","South Korea","Sweden","Teams","World Cup 2018","2018 World Cup","2018 World Cup Group F","2018 World Cup Preview"]},{"title":"Messi Would Swap Barcelona Titles for World Cup","pubDate":"2018-05-29 10:00:29","link":"https://thepanenkablog.com/2018/05/29/messi-would-swap-barcelona-titles-for-world-cup/","guid":"http://www.thepanenkablog.com/?p=4871","author":"ThePanenka","thumbnail":"","description":"Lionel Messi is so desperate to win the World Cup with Argentina that he would trade success with Barcelona to triumph in Russia this summer. Messi, 30, has been on the losing side in four finals with Argentina, including the World Cup final in 2014 against Germany in Brazil. Titles with Barca have not been \u2026 Continue reading Messi Would Swap Barcelona Titles for World\u00a0Cup\n","content":"Lionel Messi is so desperate to win the World Cup with Argentina that he would trade success with Barcelona to triumph in Russia this summer. Messi, 30, has been on the losing side in four finals with Argentina, including the World Cup final in 2014 against Germany in Brazil. Titles with Barca have not been \u2026 Continue reading Messi Would Swap Barcelona Titles for World\u00a0Cup\n","enclosure":{"link":"https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e7a4351eefa51523e97550ced6275a1201f2776933a4f39ac6411d61794d1ec4?s=96&d=identicon&r=G"},"categories":["Argentina","Group D","World Cup player","2018 World Cup","Barcelona","Lionel Messi","World Cup"]}]}