Headfirst

From being played in dimly lit basements to tournaments held in large arenas, Counter-strike: Global Offensive suddenly transformed. Prizemoney reached six-figure levels and the players became overnight stars. Lukas 'Gla1ve' Rossander and his team, Astralis, were there from the beginning, as the game they loved transitioned from a hobby to a career, and fans, fame and fortune became a part of their lives. But what happens when a hobby turns into a job and – more importantly – when the weight of being on top the world, the best possible team, becomes unbearable? When the game that you loved so much as a child becomes a burden? Thanks to Lukas 'Gla1ve' Rossander, Kasper Hvidt and Astralis .Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenFor more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html

August, 2021. Years have passed since Khalida Popal fled Afghanistan for the second time in her life, but her involvement with her home country hasn't waned. This is all put to an overwhelming test, as the Taliban make their way back to Kabul with a ferocious force to once again rule the country. A plan is quickly set in motion to get the current women's national football team out of the country to safety. It's a mission that involves - amongst others - a former US marine/football coach, an Australian politician/Olympic medallist and, of course, Khalida. In the middle of it all, a 20-year-old goalkeeper, Fati, constantly varies between incredible optimism and a fear of not getting out of the country alive. It's a fight against time before the Taliban cut off all means of escape.Thanks to Khalida Popal, Zali Stegall and Fati.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenAdditional music by Kristian KruseTranslation of audio message by Sameer Azizi.For more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html

Khalida Popal has gained the momentum to speak out against the injustice and oppression that she and many other women feel at the time in Afghanistan. Football has propelled her forward and given her a platform that she is not afraid to use in the slightest. But it comes at a price, and Khalida finds herself the target of many enemies. In the end it becomes too dangerous and with the help of hummel and Christian Stadil she flees to India before she ends up at refugee camp in Denmark. But even though she is safe in Denmark, the immense pressure from constantly being on the run and away from family and friends becomes a downard spiral. But Khalida doesn't give up. Never.Thanks to Khalida Popal and Christian Stadil.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenAdditional music by Kristian KruseFor more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html

After several years as refugees in Pakistan, Khalida Popal and her family are able to return to their home in Afghanistan. During her years away from home she found football, not only as a sport, but as a way to escape the harsh realities of war. She continues to play the sport she cherishes so much, but even though the Taliban have been chased way, the general population isn't exactly pleased with women playing sport. Nonetheless, she is successful in getting the Afghanistan women's national football team officially recognised. In the search for money to pay for durable uniforms, Khalida comes in contact with hummel’s owner Christian Stadil, who – more than simply pay for uniforms – is eager to sponsor the team. But danger is still lurking at every corner.Thanks to Khalida Popal, Christian Stadil and Sameer Azizi.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenAdditional music and editing by Kristian KruseFor more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html

Khalida Popal fought for something that many of us take for granted: being able to play football. But Khalida’s story is about more than just kicking a ball around. It is about fighting for your right to exist and fighting for freedom in a country marred by decades of war and internal conflict. Through football, Khalida finds her voice, as well as a tool for peaceful protest. In the first episode of "Fighting to...", we start at the beginning in Afghanistan where Khalida was born. With the country in disarray, a hostile dynamic develops, which eventually forces Khalida and her family to flee. Thanks to Khalida Popal and Sameer Azizi. Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer Villadsen

Wembley Stadium. Glorious, legendary Wembley Stadium. After a bit of banter back and forth in the media, the Danish team is now facing their biggest challenge yet. Every other game has either been at home or on neutral ground, but this time, here in the semifinals, it's against England at Wembley Stadium.Mikkel Damsgaard and the Danes are facing a very strong opponent. A team that hasn't conceded even one goal during the tournament. A team that - because of Covid19 restrictions - almost has a stadium full of supporters. Well, except for Emma Lillelund, a Dane through and through, working in the fashion business in London. And she's not going to miss this game for the world. Come along for the final chapter in our series, Summer of 2021, and even though you might know the end, you haven't heard the story told like this.Thanks to Emma Lillelund, Mikkel Damsgaard and the rest of DBU for participating.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenFor more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html. We've got more stories coming, so don't forget to subscribe.

If the team felt like they were far away from home when they played in Amsterdam, they weren't prepared for their game against the Czech Republic that's going to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan.The stadium could very well be a pressure cooker as the sweltering heat in the Azerbaijani capital comes down hard on Thomas Delaney and the rest of the players. There's nothing else to do but play football and try to forget everything else, but there's no doubt about it: this game means everything. If they win it's on to the semifinals at Wembley Stadium.For Mads Mygind the same tension is very much present in his apartment where he's watching the game with a friend and the friend's son. So much that the young aspiring football player, who's been away at football camp the past week, tries to stay calm by doing squats with a heavy typewriter during halftime. Will all the heavy lifting be for nothing?Thanks to Mads Mygind, Thomas Delaney, and the rest of DBU for participating.Read Mads Mygind's poem, "The match hovers in a drone over Parken Stadium" here https://journal.bookmate.dk/mads-myginds-euro-2020-poem/ Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer Villadsen

The Danish team is on to the next round, and this time they don't have the benefit of playing in a stadium at home in front of a friendly crowd. In Amsterdam, Holland the Danes are set to meet Wales, a team that like Denmark has had its ups and downs in the group stages. But they're a strong team, and if Andreas Skov Olsen and the rest of the team want to go through to the next round they need to be focused, especially on the Welsh captain, Gareth Bale. In Denmark Smilla Gad Hvas is more preoccupied with drowning out the chit-chat from her friends as she is trying to maintain her focus on the game at hand. Changing tactics late in the game proves to be fruitful for both the Danish team and Smilla.Thanks to Smilla Gad Hvas, Andreas Skov Olsen, and the rest of DBU for participating. Extra thanks to Allan Boserup for supplying us with extra footage from the game in Amsterdam.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenFor more go to hummel.net/head-first/head-first.html

Denmark's final game in the group stages is important for a number of reasons. First of all, if they don't beat Russia the fairy tale is over before it even started. Second of all, the Danes aren't exactly masters of their own fate, because the other game in their group, Belgium vs Finland, will decide if they advance or not, even if they win against Russia. For Allan Boserup, who's been to quite a number of games, this match is of particular significance. Daniel Wass is ready to give it all he's got on the pitch to secure the win, making sure to tune out all the noise from the other match and the fact that he will be facing one of his team mates from Valencia CF. The stakes are high.Thanks to Allan Boserup, Daniel Wass and the rest of DBU for participating.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenFor more go to https://www.hummel.dk/head-first/head-first.html

In the days after the match against Finland players and fans alike are still in shock from the experience. It's going to take a lot of effort to get back on the pitch. Coach of the team, Kasper Hjulmand, knows that it's hard to go out and fight again, but nevertheless that's what they have to do. Not only that but the Danish team is squaring off against their toughest opponent in their group: Belgium. Come along for the ride as Pierre-Emile Højbjerg takes you through the match in detail, while a whole different story takes place in a race against time as Carina Lybek tries to make it in time to watch the game. Thanks to Søren Riis, Carina Lybek, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Kasper Hjulmand and the rest of DBU for participating.Interviews, mix, sound design by Andrew DavidsonHeadfirst theme by Sejer VilladsenFor more go to https://www.hummel.dk/head-first/head-first.html