Hi, this is Josh Levine, the host of Slate Sports Podcast Hang Up and Listen. Throughout the World Cup, we're going to bring you a podcast from our friends at the soccer magazine Howler. They'll have analysis from the games, news from outside the stadiums in Brazil, and reports from a writer embedded with the U.S. national team. I hope you enjoy the special podcast Extra, and I'll now pass the mic to George Qureshi, the founder and editor of Howler. Take it away, George. Don't do not

Don't do special podcast extra, and I'll now pass the mic to George Qureshi, the founder and editor of Howler.

Take it away, George. The HALDA podcast.

This is the podcast.

For Hala magazine.

It's Donnie, theummy Duda. It's Darnie Dada. Howdy-Doo-Doh.

Hi.

Hello and welcome to Dummy, a twice weekly conversation among editors and friends of Howler magazine.

My name is George Qureshi.

I'm the editor of Howler.

I'm in a tiny little studio in Miami.

And usually joining me here is Danny Carbassi, And this week, he's still in a closet in South Carolina. Danny remains the only member of this podcast who have ever scored for Arsenal and he now is a scout for the gunners. Hey, Danny. How's it going, George? I'm fine. Is your closet smaller than my studio here that you've seen. It's about the same size, to be honest.

But there are more blankets and Is your closet smaller than my studio here that you've seen? It's about the same size, to be honest.

But there are more blankets and clothes and where you are.

Exactly.

Messal in.

Joining us from Bristol, England, not Connecticut, is David Goldblatt, the author of

The Ball Is Round and Fucci Ball Nation.

David, one of our producers, Ryan, wrote an intro for you that described you as having the mind of William Shakespeare and the haircut of Kyle Beckerman. Have you ever been described like that before? No, I haven't, but I'm flattered on both counts. Well, it's a lot to live up to. I mean, I think we can definitely say you have the accent of William Shakespeare. Well, I think more Ray Winston, according to the man on Twitter. Well, if they ever figure out how to reverse time, I'm sure they'll describe William Shakespeare as having the mind of David Goldblatt. You're too kind. We've got a great show coming up. We're going to talk about possibly the most shocking result in World Cup history. Of course, I'm talking about Brazil one, Germany, seven.

We'll take a look at the reaction from Brazilian fans and talk about where this team, where

this country go from here. We'll also break down the other semi-final between the Netherlands and

Argentina and look ahead to what should be a really a classic final, Argentina, Germany.

...