How an unknown Greek side became one of football’s coolest clubs
By Krishan Davis for Goal
They may well be playing in Greece’s second tier, but Athens Kallithea’s reputation now extends well beyond the country’s borders. Since their takeover in 2021, the club have developed a distinctive identity that has attracted admirers around the world. Yet, whilst the celebrated shirt designs have been getting the headlines this is not simply a marketing effort but there is serious ambition to build a club capable of competing at the highest level.
All runs are equal, but some runs are more useful than others
By Marc Lamberts on Medium
Running statistics have become increasingly visible in football, but they can be misleading without context. Based on data from France’s Ligue 1, this is an examination of how teams run reveals why intensity, playing style and opposition matter more than distance covered. Because running more does not necessarily mean playing better.
How Much Transfer Gossip Actually Comes True?
By Martin Angelov for Data Deals FC
Transfer rumours are an established part of football culture, but how much of what we read actually happens? An analysis of more than 13,000 rumours finds that only one in five ends up actually happening. Am I the only one who thinks that is actually better than I suspected?
Each week on Cultured Football we pick the five great football stories from the previous seven days.
Non-League Adventures: Worthing FC
By Outside Write (Chris Lee) for Outside Write (Chris Lee)
Worthing FC have risen from the eighth tier of English football to the National League, with a growing fanbase and a renewed sense of ambition. Much of that transformation can be traced to George Dowell, whose life changed following a serious car accident before he took ownership of the club in 2015.
How Niclas Füllkrug is Breaking Records in Hybrid Role of Fan and Goalscorer
By Benjamin Darby for The Bundesliga Chronicles
Niclas Füllkrug’s return to Werder Bremen has revived a career that appeared to be drifting after difficult spells abroad. Now 33, the striker is enjoying a remarkable goalscoring run, breaking a longstanding club record and earning a recall to Germany’s national team. Yet what truly makes his resurgence special is his relationship with Werder’s supporters.
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In Case You Missed It Here’s Last Week’s Most Read: The Unpromotables: Germany’s league champions who can’t go up
By Matt Ford for the BBC
Lokomotive Leipzig have won their regional league twice in succession, yet have been denied promotion on both occasions and remain stuck in Germany’s fourth tier. Their frustration is shared by others where a growing campaign is challenging a system in which winning the league does not guarantee promotion. After all, what is the point of becoming champions if the reward for doing so is denied?
"Am I the only one who thinks that is actually better than I suspected?" No, I expected a way lower rate as well :)
I particularly love the finding that only 59% of all “agreed” deals actually happened. One would have expected higher.
Thanks for the inclusion 🙌🏼