BOSNIA'S POKER PLAYER AT THE WORLD CUP

A former poker player has coached Bosnia to the World Cup!

Sergej Barbarez has guided the Balkan country to the tournament in his first head coach role – at the expense of four-time champions Italy.

So how did he go from the casino for the dugout? Why has qualification cost his striker Ermedin Demirovic €300,000? And how are Bosnia at a second World Cup without ever making the EUROs?

In this episode, we explore brilliant Bosnia’s incredible journey and reflect on Iraq and DR Congo’s play-offs successes too.

Plus, the Ceuta coach pledges to walk to Rome and Nauru launch their one child, one ball initiative.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:26 – Bosnia’s poker-playing coach

15:20 – Iraq’s 21-match qualifying campaign

19:32 – DR Congo and the legend of Zaire

23:39 – Nutmeg magazine’s World Cup issue

26:24 – Ceuta coach’s pledge to walk to Rome

31:40 – Nauru’s 1 child 1 ball initiative