Belgium is known for its waffles, chocolates and beer. And arguably for its football. But what can the beautiful game tell us about the politics and history of the country? Co-hosts Guy (himself a Brussel resident) and Francesco talk to Scott Coyne, Mechelen fan and co-host of the Belgian Football Podcast, the world's premier English language show on the game there. Scott provides insight on how football first arrived in Belgium, who the big clubs are and the extent to which past economic developments and the Flemish-French linguistic divide have played out in terms of rivalries. He also explains how tensions have been dampened down around the national football team, Belgium's place in the European football hierarchy and the role that its youth development and academies play in relation to this.
Belgium is known for its waffles, chocolates and beer. And arguably for its football. But what can the beautiful game tell us about the politics and history of the country? Co-hosts Guy (himself a Brussel resident) and Francesco talk to Scott Coyne, Mechelen fan and co-host of the Belgian Football Podcast, the world's premier English language show on the game there. Scott provides insight on how football first arrived in Belgium, who the big clubs are and the extent to which past economic developments and the Flemish-French linguistic divide have played out in terms of rivalries. He also explains how tensions have been dampened down around the national football team, Belgium's place in the European football hierarchy and the role that its youth development and academies play in relation to this.