iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

10 day break in Spain & France over & made a conscious decision not to post on here during it. Reminder of the days when there was no posting at all & no hot takes on everything. Not sure we were the worse for it.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Enjoy the international break everyone! I know I will :)

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

1 more game before the international break here in Germany and then a much needed holiday after being on the road since early August. A development to share is I’ll be back on ESPN/ABC La Liga commentary from time to time once club ⚽️ returns. Looking forward to it.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Hannover have said goodbye to coach Christian Titz. Tipped as promotion candidates, H96 have just 4 points from 5 games.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Literally a flying work visit to New York this week & then back to Germany for Bundesliga MD4 followed by a nice international break in Catalunya & the Pyrénées. Action packed few days.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Not surprising at all but Gladbach have parted ways with coach Eugen Polanski after a 3rd straight defeat to begin the season, in this case 0:5 in Freiburg. Gladbach have yet to pick up a point & their goal difference is 3:12.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Hallo Köln! Falls ihr Lust habt, stimmungsvolle schottische Musik im Rheinland zu genießen, spielt Ciaran Whyte - toller schottischer Musiker - diese Woche in der Domstadt. Do. 21:00 Copper Pot Irish Bar Fr: 18:00 Scotia Spirit Whisky Shop Sa: 21:00 Coppers im Haus Arndt, Langenfeld.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

To veer into the political sphere again. I was on a long train journey from Köln to Scotland on Sunday with the Sachsen-Anhalt election coverage on radio. Important to always stress that SA is not Germany in microcosm. Having said that it’s normal to be more depressed than ever re 🌍 politics.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Aberdeen bound in the morning….by train from Köln!

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Schalke worked tirelessly for that point tonight. Felt as though every fan got right behind what was a marvellous collective effort.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Schalke-Bayern is the Saturday Topspiel around the world live from the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen before 63,000. 18:20 Germany time/17:20 UK/12:20 ET in North America. Join us if you can for Schalke‘s first top flight home game after 3 years down in the 2. Bundesliga.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

For Americans who follow wondering about Mathis Albert, Kicker’s verdict on the back of his starting debut against 5th tier HEBC in the Pokal is that he will need time before becoming a real option for the first team. Likely many squad appearances but not many starts initially.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Morning from Köln. Kicker goes with “New faces, new hopes: the most important transfers on deadline day - and what they should deliver.“

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Thank you 🙏 for this @rhettdc.bsky.social Yes, I’ll still be around on the world feed. Can’t guarantee that it will always be a prime match as that’s not my decision.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

So many outlets are knowingly feeding a lie about Iceland. They are already in the single market & Schengen & Icelanders already have the right to move freely between all EU countries for work or otherwise. To compare their decision with a hopeless no deal Brexit is to deliberately try to confuse.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Morning from Köln. The Kicker front page has “Attack for starters. With the 5:1 win over Stuttgart, FC Bayern applied an exclamation mark but in other places too there was a furious beginning on matchday 1.”

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sad news. Confirmed as a torn cruciate in his left knee and Konstantelias will miss several months for Borussia Dortmund.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sankt Pauli-Kaiserslautern from the Millerntor at 13:20 local time here in Germany/12:20 UK if you fancy a fiery Sunday lunchtime in the 2. Bundesliga. Flying solo today.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Nothing confirmed yet but concern in the BVB camp about the extent of the injury to Konstantelias.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Join us around the 🌎 for the first Saturday Topspiel of the Bundesliga season: Dortmund-Hamburg from 18:20 German time/17:20 UK/12:20 ET. Will have @sebkneissl.bsky.social alongside for all the action. #BVBHSV

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Ich finde es ganz wichtig hin und wieder einen Stadionbesuch zu machen nicht als Kommentator, sondern als Fan. Das heutige Erlebnis in Freiburg war einfach geil und es hat mich sehr gefreut, spontan mit Fans von beiden Mannschaften im Zäpflegarten zu plaudern. Ein toller Abend im Breisgau.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Good morning from Freiburg im Breisgau. The Kicker headline is “Let’s go!” “The league starts again. The opening of the season & the history full of records. Focus on 18 top talents.”

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Bayern have extended the contracts of CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting chief Max Eberl until 2029. Their old contracts were up in 2027.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The obsession of many in the USA & the UK with borders is one I will never understand. As a student, seeing an iron curtain border as a daily reality sent a shiver up my spine. Meanwhile I‘m on a train from Strasbourg in France to Freiburg in Germany. No fences, border guards. The joy of Schengen 👍

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Totally get that it’s a competitive world for younger commentators. Using a phone to video yourself covering big moments & playing it out is a personal choice & no doubt in line with the modern era. But the game is the story, not our faces, or body language. Our words should blend in. End of.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Getting this question a lot. I’m still one of the Bundesliga‘s world feed commentators as I have been for more than a decade. On Saturday I did the Supercup worldwide & this weekend, BVB-HSV. When ESPN had the rights I also doubled as their lead Bundesliga voice for exclusive productions.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Back in Strasbourg for a couple of days. Definitely among my fave places and feels like a home away from home now.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Morning from Strasbourg. The Kicker cover has “Historic Treble.” “Coach, as well as men’s & women’s footballer of the year all come from Bayern - a first. They convinced in sporting terms & as personalities.”

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Really vibrant game here in Dortmund tonight with Bayern’s first half (wonderful solo run goal by Olise the high point) edging out Dortmund’s much improved second half. Thanks to those who watched our world feed coverage. Back next week with the Saturday Topspiel, BVB-HSV.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Things I’m looking forward to tonight in Dortmund: - New more youthful (less cautious?) BVB: Karetsas, Gadou - Saibari to start for Bayern? Given Musiala‘s situation probably need to have a look at him in that position. - Brown, superb in pre-season. Pressure on Davies. #BVBFCB

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Reposted by Derek Rae

Archie Rhind-Tutt @archiert1.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

New season, new show! Hosting Pokal Zone on the DFB-Pokal World Feed. All the goals as they go in, all the stories as they unfold. Tonight alongside @raecomm.bsky.social. Joined by Mark Schwarzer for the rest of the weekend. Available via this link on DFB Play. www.dfbplay.tv/epg/audition...

dfbplay.tv

DFB-Pokal Zone: Friday Round 1

Three Matches. One Stream. Non-Stop Action. Watch the DFB-Pokal Zone on Friday and experience Round 1 like never before, with Live Whip-Around Coverage e...

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Super talent Said El Mala will remain in Köln in this transfer window. Both parties have agreed on this. El Mala‘s contract extended until 2031 and he gets the number 10 shirt.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It seems from early reviews that Celtic fans enjoyed Mika Baur‘s football. #SCPaderborn

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Harry Kane upon receiving the European Golden Shoe once again speaking in glowing terms about what he has in Munich, football & family wise. Difficult to imagine what could tempt him to swap that for anything at this point. Contract up next summer and discussions to start soon.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Oliver Burke was the fastest in the Bundesliga last season, the only player to hit 37 km/h. Also was 8th in sprints recorded. No one would deny his form was up & down with Union. But with 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 set to be more Bundesliga like under Pocognoli, big incentive for him to start well.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Concerns about Bayern‘s Jamal Musiala after he collapsed to the ground for the second time in two successive friendly matches, on this occasion against Heidenheim. Bayern’s sporting CEO Max Eberl says Musiala will talk publicly on the subject soon.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Looking forward to being back in Dortmund on Saturday for the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup meeting with Bayern. 20:20 German time/19:20 UK/14:20 ET. Live on the world feed.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

VfB Stuttgart have extended sporting CEO Fabian Wohlgemuth‘s contract until 2029, from 2027. Wohlgemuth had been associated with VfB since December 2022, initially as sporting director. He has overseen the big upswing in club fortunes over recent years.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Morning from Köln. Kicker runs with the headline of “Goal guarantor meets Magic Mouse.” “Bayern or Dortmund? The Supercup is on the agenda. Stage set for a stress test with a chance to win silverware.“

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Nice to see Aberdeen fans enjoying Aremu‘s contributions. I called him a vacuum cleaner type when asked back in January & at his best, hoovers it all up. Müller winning friends in goal. Dons did very well to get him. Modern keeper attributes with a strong personality.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Hello from Germany. Kaiserslautern-Karlsruhe should be a tasty Topspiel tonight. South West derby live from the Betze on the 🌎 feed. From meetings yesterday, the process of finding a platform to show the 2. Bundesliga in the USA remains ongoing. Hopefully in a few weeks 🤞

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Fair play to Motherwell. They’re following a plan & you sense fans of other Scottish clubs - while wishing their team could copy elements of it, are more than quietly applauding. Freiburg will be a tough but to crack but look fwd to seeing you there. You’ll love the city.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The Kicker cover (brought to you by my fave Köln cafe) has “Demichelis. His style, his work, his goals.” A new chapter in Leipzig.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Today‘s Bundeskartellamt 50+1 news will please most fans here in Germany. The opposition to 50+1 often seems to be loudest outside the Bundesrepublik. Never sure what it’s based on. Spend any time at all in a 🇩🇪 city & you’ll feel why football is not entertainment, but wider extension of community.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

NEW: The Bundeskartellamt has ruled in its final deliberations that the 50+1 rule in German ⚽️ is indeed permissible. However the Amt says it sees scope for improvement regarding the exceptions granted to Leverkusen & Wolfsburg as well as the special cases, Leipzig & Hannover.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The DFB has decided to reintroduce standing areas at Germany national team games for the first time in 25 years. Ticket prices will begin at 18 Euro. Hopefully an example to others.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Back at the 🎙️ this weekend in 🇩🇪 broadcasting the Kaiserslautern-Karlsruhe derby. Saturday Topspiel from 20:20 local time on the 🌎 feed. UK viewers can watch on Bundesliga YouTube. Unaware right now of any US carrier but will try to find out more from colleagues in Köln.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Bought a ticket for Freiburg-HJK or Motherwell playoff as I’ll be in the Breisgau that week. Wouldn’t it be perfect if it were @motherwellfc.bsky.social ?

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