logo
episode-header-image
Aug 27
15m 30s

Who are the Champions League debutants m...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Every season teams across Europe compete for a place in the Uefa Champions League, but who are the clubs from Cyprus, Norway, Belgium and even a team north of the Arctic Circle making their debuts in Europe’s top-tier club competition?

Pafos FC of Cyprus, Norway's Bodo/Glimt, Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan and Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise all advanced through the qualifying rounds to make history by reaching the competition’s league phase for the first time.

Maz Farookhi is joined by football reporter George Addo to get the views from each of the four sides making their debuts.

Image: Jaja (C) of Pafos celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round Second Leg match between Pafos and Crvena Zvezda at Limassol Stadium on August 26, 2025 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Up next
Yesterday
Mjallby: The fishing village club about to reel in the Swedish title
Mjallby, a team from a tiny fishing village, are about to become champions of Sweden for the first time.It’s one of the biggest shocks in recent European football history, and defender Tom Pettersson has been telling World Football’s Mani Djazmi how it’s happened.Image: Mjallby's ... Show More
13m 4s
Sep 29
Kairat living the dream
It’s Champions League romance as Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty face the mighty Real Madrid.Kairat player Damir Kasabulat tells Mani Djazmi what it means just to be in the competition, the reaction when the players discovered that their first home game would be against Real Madrid, a ... Show More
10m 42s
Sep 15
Christian Burgess: The history graduate making history with Union Saint-Gilloise
Not many football players will be like Christian Burgess. The English defender has a first-class honours degree in history and is making history on the pitch for Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise.He’s captaining the side as they make their Champions League debut this season ... Show More
15m 43s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
Blaise Matuidi | “Zlatan + Ronaldo turned me into a winner” | Why PSG are better without superstars
Former PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi joins Rio and Fletch for a special Rio Reacts episode where the trio analyse what has made this PSG team so irresistable and pleasing for fans in the Champions League.After years of relying on superstar individuals, including in the teams Matu ... Show More
30m 19s
Oct 2019
Ballon d'Or Season of 2019
who is likely to win the Ballon d'Or? Ballon d'Or nominees from each team. Liverpool: Van Dijk, Firmino, Alisson, Wijnaldum, Alexander-Arnold, Mane and Salah. Manchester City: De Bruyne, Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Aguero and Sterling. Barcelona: Leo Messi, Griezmann, Ter Stegen and ... Show More
2m 15s
Nov 2022
No More Charges For Neymar | Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Withdrawal of the charges against Neymar and his father on tax fraud.   Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. A prolific goalscorer and renow ... Show More
2m 59s
Oct 2022
Karim Benzema Wins The Ballon d'Or | France Football
Karim Benzema wins his first  Ballon d'Or.  Karim Mostafa Benzema is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Real Madrid, who he captains, and the France national team. A creative and prolific forward known for his playmaking and finishing, Benzem ... Show More
4 m
Oct 2022
Neymar Tax Fraud Court Trial | Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Neymar and his father on trial for tax fraud. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. A prolific goalscorer and renowned playmaker, he is regar ... Show More
3m 37s
Jul 2019
Leonardo vs Neymar | PSG
Neymar clashes with Leonardo at Paris Saint-Germain Football Club. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar Jr. or simply Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for French club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team.Consider ... Show More
2m 9s
Mar 2022
Players Question Their Futures | Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
The Champions League fall out raises a lot of questions about players futures including the likes of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe.  Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, Paris or Paris SG, is a professional football club based in Paris, ... Show More
1m 48s
Jun 2021
Kylian Mbappe Bigger Than PSG | Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
Why Mbappe is above the PSG badge?  Kylian Mbappé Lottin is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Mbappé began his senior career with Ligue 1 club Monaco, making his professional debut in 2015, a ... Show More
4m 55s
Oct 2019
1: Thierry Henry
Jamie kicks off his new podcast with one of the greatest players ever to play in the Premier League.  A World Cup, European Championship, Premier League, Champions League winner, and multiple PL top scorer... Thierry Henry. Thierry scored over 200 goals for Arsenal and was part o ... Show More
1h 5m