That World Cup Kick-Off: Kasper Schmeichel on England, Denmark & the lads arrive in the US | EP. 406
6/13/202656 min
On this special World Cup edition of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete and Sids are joined by returning host Tom Fordyce and Premier League legend Kasper Schmeichel from sunny Los Angeles as the tournament gets underway.
The lads reflect on just how far the podcast has come, swapping memories of recording in less glamorous locations before finding themselves covering football from one of the biggest sporting events in the world. They dive into the incredible atmosphere surrounding the opening days of the World Cup, including Mexico's electric opening match, immersive fan experiences in LA, and the cultural differences between football coverage in Europe and America.
Kasper opens up about his recent retirement from football, revealing the shoulder injury that ultimately forced his hand and sharing what life after football looks like. He reflects on his time at Celtic, the relentless pressure of playing for one of football's biggest clubs, and the unforgettable moments that came with lifting trophies in Glasgow.
The conversation also turns to Leicester City's historic Premier League title triumph as Kasper relives the madness of the 5000-1 season, reveals the moment the squad truly believed they could win the league, and shares stories from the team's recent ten-year reunion.
There's also plenty of World Cup chat as Kasper looks back on his experiences representing Denmark on football's biggest stage, discusses England's chances of finally ending their wait for major silverware, and explains why international tournaments remain unlike anything else in football.
Plus, Chris Stark checks in from the Chumbawamba with Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil and Ben Johnston to discuss Scotland's World Cup hopes, Steve Clarke's impact on the national team, and whether the Tartan Army can dare to dream of a historic run.
As always, leave your predictions below and let us know who you think will lift the trophy.
Chumbawamba
00:00 - World Cup Special from Los Angeles
00:16 - Tom Fordyce returns to the podcast
01:37 - Kasper Schmeichel joins the show
02:11 - Inside LA's immersive World Cup experience
02:45 - Pete's NBA comeback story from the bar
03:25 - American football terminology explained
04:39 - Kasper on retirement and life after football
06:28 - The shoulder injury that ended his career
08:01 - Why retirement became unavoidable
09:37 - Reflecting on his time at Celtic
11:52 - Favourite moments at Celtic
12:58 - Leicester's 10-year title reunion
14:27 - How unlikely was Leicester's title win?
16:17 - The moment Leicester believed
17:28 - Mahrez, Kanté and World Cup stars
18:16 - Kasper's Denmark tournament memories
19:11 - World Cup penalty shootout heartbreak
20:35 - Expectations playing for Denmark
22:17 - "It's Coming Home" debate
23:00 - Greatest Denmark teams and iconic kits
24:22 - Favourite World Cup memories growing up
26:22 - Mexico's opening match reaction
28:24 - England's chances at the World Cup
30:21 - Tuchel vs Southgate approaches
30:58 - Sven-Göran Eriksson memories
35:14 - Chris Stark joins from the Chumbawamba
35:33 - Biffy Clyro discuss Scotland's chances
37:22 - Must Scotland beat Haiti?
39:02 - The Scotland World Cup anthem that never was
40:01 - Meeting Scotland players
41:22 - Sir Kenny Dalglish's legacy
42:18 - Steve Clarke's impact on Scotland
44:10 - Can Scotland handle the heat?
45:08 - Andy Robertson's leadership
46:36 - Dare Scotland dream?
48:25 - Biffy Clyro's team talk for Scotland
49:55 - Final thoughts from Los Angeles
For more Peter Crouch:
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/
For more Steve Sidwell:
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For more Kasper Schmeichel:
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Twitter - https://twitter.com/KasperSchmeichel
#PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast #WorldCup #KasperSchmeichel
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsPeter Crouch· Host0:00
Here we are in sunny Los Angeles for the greatest show on turf. We've had three red cards, two goals, and we're back stronger. [upbeat music] [audience cheering] Welcome to That Peter Crouch Podcast, the World Cup special edition. We've got, uh, Steven Sidwell and a very special guest. Uh- [laughs] Well, a, I guess host, I suppose. The main man, Tom Fordyce, is back.
Tom Fordyce· Host0:26
Pete, last time we did this podcast together, we were in the basement of a- [laughs] ... pretty ropey pub in London. The toilet's around the corner. You got the smell of urine.
Peter Crouch· Host0:36
Yeah.
Tom Fordyce· Host0:36
And there was a strange man with a plastic bag who just used to walk through. I gotta say, I like what you've done with the place.
Kasper Schmeichel· Guest0:42
[laughs] [laughs] Do you know what? It does, it feels very surreal, doesn't it? Like- Very surreal ... I, I don't know how we've pulled this off. I mean, we've gone up in the world here, so.
Tom Fordyce· Host0:50
It's that, that there is not AI. That is- I can't believe it, to be honest ... that is incredible ...
Kasper Schmeichel· Guest0:55
yeah.
Tom Fordyce· Host0:55
Incredible.
Kasper Schmeichel· Guest0:55
But we have, we have, we've genuinely filmed in some real shitholes, haven't we? [laughs] [laughs] We really have.
Tom Fordyce· Host1:01
And Kensington Palace, to be fair.
Kasper Schmeichel· Guest1:02
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. We've had some good ones as well.
Tom Fordyce· Host1:04
Yeah.
Kasper Schmeichel· Guest1:05
To be fair. Did you cycle here? Are you still into white bike?
Tom Fordyce· Host1:07
Um, I cycled all the way from Knutsford. Um, do you know what, Pete? You know, a World Cup is a massive event, isn't it? And before a World Cup, you know, you, you're wondering if you're gonna get the nod. You try and keep yourself in shape. Um, you hope that the previous performances that you've delivered on the big occasion will come good. So when I got that little text from you, "Tom, fancy the World Cup?" Easy answer. "Pete, I'm on my way."