SBS Championship Corner

Route 26: The Road to the World Cup Begins

Grab your bags, we're hitting Route 26! A brand new podcast from SBS Audio, Route 26 takes you on a journey through the lives of football fanatics — one World Cup story at a time. Hear from some of the game's most extraordinary fans: Llyod Owusu, Akec Makur Chuot, Craig Foster and many more — as they share the World Cup moments that changed their lives.

Championship Corner: South Melbourne Crowned - Inside the Inaugural Australian Championship Final

In the season finale of the SBS Championship Corner podcast, Nick Pagano and Adrian Arciuli are joined by SBS Italian’s Paolo Gallo to unpack South Melbourne’s 2–0 win over Marconi Stallions and their place in history as the inaugural Australian Championship winners. The team breaks down how South’s pressing, set-piece mastery and game-by-game tactical tweaks powered an unbeaten campaign, from Manny Aguek’s big‑moment goals and Marco Jankovic’s header in the final to the Heidelberg epic and the Sydney Olympic escape acts. The panel also revisits the tournament’s biggest sliding‑doors moments - from the Marconi Wolves madness to FVS controversy and some truly wild tackles, plus their surprise packets, unluckiest sides and goal of the tournament contenders. The crew reflects on what this new national second‑tier competition means for historic clubs, youth development and the future of Australian football - and which Championship standouts could be Socceroos in waiting.

Championship Corner: And then there were two - a blistering round of semi finals

On this weeks episode of the SBS Championship Corner, hosts Nick Pagano and Adrian Acruili reflect on two tense semi-final matches from the Australian Championship, and preview the tasty-looking final between South Melbourne FC and Marconi Stallions. SBS Greek’s Themi Kallos returns to the panel to dissect how South Melbourne were able to overcome the high-flying Heidelberg, while Moreton City Excelsior’s midfielder Jackson Courtney Perkins joins remotely to reflect on the amazing campaign that led the Queensland NPL Premieres to the Australian Championship semi final appearance against Marconi. All that and so much more awaits you in the penultimate episode of the SBS Championship Corner!

Championship Corner: Heidelberg's Fortress, Home Ground Dominance

On this week’s SBS Championship Corner, hosts Nick Pagano and Adrian Arciuli welcome Heidelberg goalkeeper Yaren Sözer and SBS Italian's Paolo Gallo to unpack all the Australian Championship quarter final action! Heidelberg have gone unbeaten at home for 51 matches, and we break down what's behind that streak -coaching style, match‑day routines, and the energy drawn from a passionate Greek-Australian community. They dissect the Derby d’Italia madness, highlighting what was potentially ‘The Best Tackle Ever’. They preview the upcoming semi-finals, noting Moreton City’s fairytale run and ask Sozer how Heidelberg plan to deal with South Melbourne’s threat from set‑pieces and long‑throw threats. All of that and so much more in this episode of the SBS Championship Corner!

Round Six: The Final Eight

In this episode of SBS Championship Corner we recap a wild final round of group stage competition, complete with upsets, an underdog’s first national point since 2013, and MetroStars’ dramatic surge. We also unpack how coaching, identity and community are shaping the new national landscape as Nick sits down with player agent Tino Mjawe. Adrian Arciuli drops in with 'report cards' for every group as we head into the finals before Nick and Tino make bold picks for the weekend’s headline clashes featuring Marconi, Avondale, Heidelberg, South Melbourne and NWS Spirit. For the storylines, stakes and sleeper teams that will define the knockout rounds, this episode is a must listen!