Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith is in Switzerland venue of the 2025 Women’s European Championship final.
Our first guest couldn't be further from Switzerland if she tried, and sadly the national side she represented is a long way from being able to play competitive matches. Born in Afghanistan, Mursal Sadat played football for her country. Then in August 2021 the Taliban returned and Mursal had to make a chaotic and emotional escape. She now lives in Australia where she tells us about how much she owes to the football family, how she misses her mum, dad and brothers immensely and how she hopes once again to represent Afghanistan on the highest level.
Switzerland has been a great host nation. Enthusiastic crowds, city centre's bedecked in the colours of those competing and, of course, it’s being watched by millions of people all over the world. It's all a far cry from the very first European competition for women's football. In 1984, 16 teams battled it out across Europe, before the final was between Sweden and England. We hear from the winning Swedish captain Anette Börjesson.
Maria Karlsson De Cecco has been keeping a close eye on the Euro's here in Switzerland, not least because she has many of her clients involved. The football industry is made up of not just players and coaches, but support staff, trainers, journalists and even football agents. Maria Karlsson De Cecco was a top-flight footballer in many European countries but after she hung up her boots she became a football agent, with a difference. She only deals with people in the women's game, and her goal is dedicated to enhancing and empowering all those involved in the women's game.
Photo: Elisabetta Oliviero of Italy looks dejected and is comforted by Alex Greenwood of England after the teams defeat and elimination from the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 on July 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. (CREDIT: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)