Hello. Sam here.
Like any sane person, I’ve been itching to combine my spreadsheet addiction with my overwhelming excitement for a World Cup I’ll barely be able to watch. Thankfully, David Beeden, Paul Kemp and the main man Andrew Hague have indulged my deepest desire.
Welcome to the World Cup of… what?
You’ll have to listen to this Memory Lane special to find out.
We’ve borrowed the World Cup format, and Sam’s spreadsheet has generated 48 Blades, sorted by position, then thrown them into a full tournament structure of groups, knockouts, arguments and inevitable injustice.
Andrew, David, Paul and Sam each take charge of one section of the draw, defending their players on whatever grounds they choose: ability, stats, memories, cult status, vibes, nostalgia or outright nonsense.
This is quick-fire remembering, World Cup-style. We aren’t simply pitting best against best. There are minnows, underdogs and, yes, a few actual dogs in the fight.
Part One takes us from the live draw through to the Round of 32. Episode Two will take us all the way to the final.
Oh, and whilst you’re here - we’re doing a fanzine again.
DEM Blades is back after three years away. The Summer 2026 fanzine is available to pre-order now, packed with Blades writing, photos, memories, nonsense and plenty more. You can order DEM Blades fanzine here.
