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Post by timewaster on Jun 14, 2014 22:43:22 GMT
Gary Lewin has suspect broken ankle he needs a physio
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Post by corndog on Jun 15, 2014 0:29:16 GMT
My brother said Joey Barton would have helped England greatly, at least he wouldn't have allowed them to slow to the snail pace they did at the end. Seriously, I think Uraguay would have beaten both of them, and Costa Rica for sure.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 0:42:25 GMT
Thought Greece v Columbia had 0-0 draw written all over it before game....No bad games so far and lots of goals HOOORAH GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL....CostaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaRiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicaaa! 1-2 Best opening games that I can remember. Really enjoying it. Also I think I may be getting brainwashed by the dodgy ITV coverage preview but I'm starting to believe England may get something out of tonights game. False hopes I'm afraid Zed. I woke up and watched the last 30 mins of the game. Unbelievably boring! England looked like they were playing for a draw even thought they were 1-2 down. No imagination. I'm sure the weather had something to do with it, but they never looked like they wanted to attack the Italian goal, just wanted to pass the ball around, Stirling excepted. As I say I only watched the last half hour, but if England play like that again they will be heading for an early exit.
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 15, 2014 0:53:25 GMT
Yaya warming up...hope some one bought him a cake
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 15, 2014 0:56:08 GMT
My brother said Joey Barton would have helped England greatly, at least he wouldn't have allowed them to slow to the snail pace they did at the end. Seriously, I think Uraguay would have beaten both of them, and Costa Rica for sure. Once Italy went 2-1 up they took the pace out of the game...Pirlo looked like he was playing in slippers....Sterling seemed to get stuck out wide and not run at their back 4 like the first half...very impressive by Italy who will give anyone a game on that performance
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Post by timewaster on Jun 15, 2014 0:59:22 GMT
Yaya warming up...hope some one bought him a cake dont insult him he wants a yacht
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 15, 2014 1:07:45 GMT
This Ivory Coast team is useful
Yaya Toure Bony Tiote Kalou Gervinho (dont laugh he had a good season in italy)
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 2:23:52 GMT
In the space of 2 mins the Ivory Coast vs Japan game is turned on its head! Totally different from the boring England vs Italy game.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 2:28:07 GMT
My brother said Joey Barton would have helped England greatly, at least he wouldn't have allowed them to slow to the snail pace they did at the end. Seriously, I think Uraguay would have beaten both of them, and Costa Rica for sure. Once Italy went 2-1 up they took the pace out of the game...Pirlo looked like he was playing in slippers....Sterling seemed to get stuck out wide and not run at their back 4 like the first half...very impressive by Italy who will give anyone a game on that performance Agreed Euse but England were content to let Italy dominate. They just passed the ball around looking for an opening so they could dribble the ball into the goal. You can't do that, especially as you pointed out to Italy.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 2:31:10 GMT
Japan showing England what to do when you go behind, try and score FFS.
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Post by timewaster on Jun 15, 2014 2:46:10 GMT
Japan showing England what to do when you go behind, try and score FFS. England would easily of beat this Japanese lot
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 2:48:03 GMT
Japan showing England what to do when you go behind, try and score FFS. England would easily of beat this Japanese lot Not if they used the tactics of trying to pass the ball around looking for an opening they wouldn't.
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Post by timewaster on Jun 15, 2014 2:52:33 GMT
England played well sharky. You never saw the whole of the game.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 2:55:12 GMT
England played well sharky. You never saw the whole of the game. Fair comment time, but if they use the tactics they used when they went behind in the second half they will be in trouble.
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Post by timewaster on Jun 15, 2014 3:08:09 GMT
England created chances in the second half but they were tired and suffered with cramp
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Post by Macmoish on Jun 15, 2014 7:10:55 GMT
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 15, 2014 8:08:58 GMT
You will find this brilliantly funny & scary at the sometime or you are dead inside
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 8:29:24 GMT
From sportsman.com.au. Rowdy English football fans? Never www.sportsfan.com.au/rowdy-english-soccer-fans-shut-qld-pub/tabid/91/newsid/134652/default.aspxRowdy English soccer fans shut Qld pub Sunday, June 15, 2014 - 3:54 PM Source: AAP Rowdy English football fans upset about their team's World Cup defeat have forced the brief closure of a Brisbane pub. Management at the Pig `N' Whistle in Brisbane's CBD called police about 1.15pm after a group of drunk English backpackers created a disturbance and refused to leave. Hundreds turned out to the British-themed pub on Sunday morning to watch England's 2-1 loss to Italy. Police say they arrested two men and evicted all patrons - 50 to 100 people - from the Eagle Street establishment on Sunday afternoon after the rowdy group refused to co-operate. A spokesman for the Pig `N' Whistle said reports of a brawl were untrue and not a single punch had been thrown. "It was a group of young English backpackers who were obviously drowning their sorrows after the game," he told AAP. "They were just a bit over-exuberant, they were dancing on one of the tables, and we were trying to get them to calm down and they wouldn't calm down." The spokesman said the majority of people who turned up to watch the much-anticipated game had a great time and left. "A very very small minority ruined it for everyone else," he said.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 8:33:36 GMT
Also from sportsman.com.au some not so good news for the Socceroos www.sportsfan.com.au/aussies-lose-franjic-for-world-cup/tabid/91/newsid/134614/default.aspxInjury rules Franjic out of World Cup Australian coach Ange Postecoglou says he could employ lateral thinking to cover the collateral damage of Ivan Franjic being ruled out of the World Cup. Franjic will take no further part in the tournament after tearing his left hamstring in a 3-1 loss to Chile which Postecoglou says is just sinking in. "The disappointment becomes greater," Postecoglou told reporters in Vitoria on Saturday, a day after the defeat. "After the game I thought it was an opportunity missed and that was further emphasised ... you have lost a game of football we felt we could have got something out of." Postecoglou said Ryan McGowan loomed as a ready replacement in Franjic's right-back slot, but he was also considering other options. "Ryan is a solution, there could be a couple of different things in the way we approach things," he said. "Holland represents a different problem to Chile, so we'll have a look in the next couple of days." Australia face a red-hot Netherlands in Porto Allegre on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) after the Dutch thumped reigning champion Spain 5-1 in their tournament opener. Postecoglou said losing Franjic was a "massive disappointment". "I'll talk to him later, but there's not a lot you can say," he said. "But what he has tasted should be motivation to come back for more." Postecoglou was thoroughly reviewing Australia's loss to Chile and not prepared to label the defeat as gallant. "I'm not one to be happy about brave defeats," he said. "And it's a results-based business. "We never said this World Cup was about anything other than results and we won't shy a way from that, even while taking a long-term view on many decisions. "We went out to win a game of football, not damage limitation or give guys experience. "Two-nil down after 15 minutes, if there was ever going to be an exercise in damage limitation it was then - but we didn't do that." Postecoglou said he would seek tactical improvements, believing Chile's initial two goals in the fixture in Cuiaba on Friday (Saturday AEST) were preventable. "There (are) specifics there we need to get right," he said. "But without making excuses, this has been a crash course for a lot of those players ... a whole different approach, different mentality. "It was almost like we crammed for the exam the night before but missed a couple of the details."
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Jun 15, 2014 8:38:22 GMT
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL....CostaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaRiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicaaa! 1-2 Best opening games that I can remember. Really enjoying it. Also I think I may be getting brainwashed by the dodgy ITV coverage preview but I'm starting to believe England may get something out of tonights game. False hopes I'm afraid Zed. I woke up and watched the last 30 mins of the game. Unbelievably boring! England looked like they were playing for a draw even thought they were 1-2 down. No imagination. I'm sure the weather had something to do with it, but they never looked like they wanted to attack the Italian goal, just wanted to pass the ball around, Stirling excepted. As I say I only watched the last half hour, but if England play like that again they will be heading for an early exit. No false hopes for me I was cheering on Italy and correctly predicted the scoreline. However it was great to see some of the younger England players do well. Stirling in particular approached the game as if he was still at Rangers and if you had seen the whole game I believe you'd fancy England to qualify.
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Post by portlandranger on Jun 15, 2014 9:41:34 GMT
England huffed and puffed but Italy were always in control of the game, on this showing we will soon be on the plane home, as for Rooney he was an absolute waste of space, over paid and over rated.
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Post by terryb on Jun 15, 2014 11:12:54 GMT
Another defeat for England but at least we made a contribution this time, unlike the last orld cup & euro.
I thought that Stirling, Sturridge & Welbeck gave us more attacking impetus but that the substitutions were not helpful on this occasion.
Baines had no help but this was not his finest hour, Gerard contributed little & Rooney was by far the worst player on the pitch.
However, I feel more upbeat about the future of the national team than I have for many a year.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Jun 15, 2014 11:28:14 GMT
I watched th England gameand other than the cross, wtf did Rooney actually do? Gerards also looked out of sorts. Stirling was easily their best p,ayer out there. The rest were average to ordinary. The Manure players looked like they were still playing last seasons effort.
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 12:23:22 GMT
Our 'Arry's take on the Eng vs Italy game and Wayne Rooney. From thesportsreview.com www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2014/06/harry-redknapp-wayne-rooney-a-top-player-but-england-must-find-balance/?Harry Redknapp: Wayne Rooney a top player but England must find balance Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is backing Roy Hodgson's decision to play Wayne Rooney on the left wing By The Sport Review Sunday 15 June 2014, 11:10 UK Harry Redknapp has appeared to back Roy Hodgsonâs decision to play Wayne Rooney on the left wing as England were beaten 2-1 by Italy in the World Cup opener. The Manchester United striker, who struggled to produce consistent form last season, played on the left of a four-pronged attack against the Azzurri. He has to play, he is a top player, but we have to get the balance right Whilst the 28-year-old did provide an assist for Sturridgeâs strike, Rooney gave away the ball eight times and looked uncomfortable tracking back. QPR boss Redknapp, who was in the running to replace Fabio Capello before Hodgson was appointed in 2012, feels Rooney may have to be sacrificed for the good of the England side. âWe played ever so well. There were some outstanding performances â Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck were excellent,â Redknapp to BBC Five Live. âWe were well in the game, but our final ball let us down. Looking at the group and the result with Uruguay, I still think we can qualify. Redknapp added: âRooney is a difficult one. He is an outstanding player; you try and balance your team and you have one of your best players out of position and it does not quite work. âHe has to play, he is a top player, but we have to get the balance right. Iâd play him, and Sterling out wide.â
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Post by timewaster on Jun 15, 2014 12:55:46 GMT
England huffed and puffed but Italy were always in control of the game, on this showing we will soon be on the plane home, as for Rooney he was an absolute waste of space, over paid and over rated. I am sure you never saw the game. England were more exciting than they have been for years and I am excited about the next two fixtures. Rooney was the only attacking player who was poor.
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Post by portlandranger on Jun 15, 2014 13:22:34 GMT
England huffed and puffed but Italy were always in control of the game, on this showing we will soon be on the plane home, as for Rooney he was an absolute waste of space, over paid and over rated. I am sure you never saw the game. England were more exciting than they have been for years and I am excited about the next two fixtures. Rooney was the only attacking player who was poor. Oh yes I did, I could'nt get excited over that performance, but everyone has their own opinion.
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 15, 2014 18:29:41 GMT
Sunday, 15 June 2014 15:24 Mission Impossible? Portugal v Germany Match Preview The Portuguese National Team will begin their World Cup mission against Germany tomorrow in Salvador. Seleção expert, Nathan Motz, considers Portugal's chances in their difficult Group of Death opener. I grow weary of reading match previews that are based upon too many assumptions. Hence, my purpose will not be to create a false sense of security or foreboding by leaning on too many unknowns. In fact, I'm going to categorize my analysis based on what we all know, and what we don't know. What we do know Fans and pundits alike are generally convinced that this is a tie that puts Portugal at a disadvantage. The Germans are physically stronger, and have over the years proven to be something of a "bogie team" for the Portuguese. Portugal have been beaten in major tournaments three times by Germany since 2006, including their Euro 2012 opener against Die Mannschaft. We also can be quite sure that both teams go into this match below 100% in terms of personnel. The degree to which they are below 100% remains debatable, but the Germans are deprived of their top striker in Marco Reus, and several key midfield options are also potentially compromised by fitness concerns. For Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo's struggle for fitness has been well covered in the media, but I believe it is safe to say that his influence will be limited in some way. The international consensus regarding this match is that Portugal lack the individual quality, Ronaldo notwithstanding, to overcome the Germans. However, it must be said that Germany have hardly proven themselves to be invincible over the last few months. Aside from their 6-1 battering of lowly Armenia, the Germans struggled in draws against Poland and Cameroon. Germany is thought to be defensively stronger than Portugal as well, but statistical analysis reveals that this may not be the case: Portugal actually allowed fewer goals than the Germans in World Cup qualifying and have only allowed four goals in their last seven matches despite being without its top defender, Pepe. The Germans will certainly pose a significant offensive threat to Portugal with young Mario Goetze, veteran Miroslav Klose, and Lukas Podolski all poised and ready to make their mark on this tournament. However, the Germans have been deprived of a true number 9 by injury, and will need to find a way to break down the Seleção without being hit on the counter. We also know that Phillip Lahm will be in midfield instead of at fullback where he often locks down opposing wingers entirely. Even if Ronaldo isn't able to play at all, Portugal have talented wide players who could present the Germans significant problems on the flanks, and it's likely that the Germans will compensate by taking possession of the middle of the pitch. This will be the fourth time since 2006 that these two teams have played, and Portugal will by now be well aware of the German's tactical intent. Furthermore, Portugal thrive against teams that try to push the tempo and play an open game against them. Suffice it to say, what we do know is that Germany are not guaranteed to win this match. What we don't know It is impossible to say exactly how Germany's tactical rearrangements will impact their play. No true number 9, Phillip Lahm in midfield, possibly no Bastian Schweinsteigger (or a less fit version)... there are real question marks about how the Germans will approach this match given their personnel deficiencies. Paulo Bento's gameplan is also an important unknown factor. In Euro 2012, Bento was cautious until late in the second half. By that time, Germany had already scored and were content to soak up the pressure, but Portugal created several decent chances and finished the match well on top. Will Bento go for it, or will he hold back? We also cannot be sure of how well or how long Ronaldo will play. Against Ireland last week, the Portugal captain played a decent match despite being well below 100%, but this is the World Cup and there are three tough group stage matches to consider. If Ronaldo is broken in Game 1, how will Portugal fare against the USA and Ghana? Paulo Bento must use Ronaldo wisely and carefully without holding him back so much that our offence cannot produce results. Ronaldo's supporting cast also figures heavily into the equation. What "kind" of Nani will we see? The one that was benched for much of the club season for Manchester United? Or the one that ravaged Ireland and started and finished one of the most beatiful (unfortunately offside) moves that I've ever seen? Can William Carvalho neutralize the Germans physical threat? Based on everything I've seen from this group of players over the last few years, it can be said that they almost always perform better in the red and green of Portugal than they do for their home club. But it's a new year and a new tournament and players like Nani, Postiga, Almeida, and others will have to play above themselves, especially if Ronaldo cannot provide his usual impact. In summary, Ronaldo's presence, or the lack thereof, on the pitch means everything. Despite what we know or don't know about Germany, it is Ronaldo who will determine the outcome of this game, one way or the other. His play alone completely restructures the tactical flow of any match. Portugal's attacking architecture is altered, and by extention Germany's approach to countering his threat must also change. With Ronaldo at his best, the match complexion will look entirely different than without him. PortuGOAL.net Prediction The reality is that neither team will feel that all is lost if they fail to collect three points in this match. Both probably fancy their chances of victory against Ghana and the USA, so it's likely that this contest will be slow and cagey. I wouldn't be suprised to see a 0-0 draw playout, except that there are some real attacking threats on both sides of the field. Therefore, a 1-1 draw seems more likely, giving both teams a decent chance to qualify from the Group of Death. by Nathan Motz www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-natonal-team-news/45636-portugal-v-germany-preview
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Post by sharky on Jun 15, 2014 22:56:49 GMT
From the Offie LOIC REMY WATCHES FRANCE'S WORLD CUP WIN FROM SUBSTITUTES BENCH QPR striker Loic Remy was an unused substitute for France in their 3-0 World Cup finals win against Honduras in Brazil ... QPR striker Loic Remy watched on from the substitutes bench as France comfortably brushed aside Honduras this evening with a 3-0 win. Remy will have to wait to make his debut in the World Cup finals in Brazil after being left out of the starting XI by French national coach Didier Deschamps. Meanwhile, goal-line technology was used for the first time in the World Cup finals as the French began their campaign with a dominant win over 10-man Honduras. In the 48th minute for France's second goal, the Goal Decision System, which is currently being installed at Loftus Road for QPRâs return to the Premier League, ruled keeper Noel Valladares to have nudged Karim Benzema's shot over the line. The Real Madrid forward gave Remyâs France the lead from the spot after Paul Pogba had been fouled by Wilson Palacios. Benzema added a late third with a vicious strike from a tight angle. France returns to action on Friday when they face Switzerland in Salvador (8pm BST). QPRâs next player in action is South Korean defender Yun Suk-Young when they face Russia on Tuesday in Cuiaba (11pm). Read more at www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/150614-loic-remy-watches-frances-world-cup-win-from-substitutes-bench-1644160.aspx#SJmF9MUK0XkkDYQE.99
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Post by Macmoish on Jun 16, 2014 11:53:39 GMT
Japanese Fans clean up after themselves Football Stuff â@footbalistuff 5h Japanese fans stayed behind after the game last night to clean their section of the stadium. Class act. pic.twitter.com/3f7w3T5RYW
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Post by eusebio13 on Jun 16, 2014 15:39:03 GMT
Paniniâs World Cup sticker factory: â SĂŁo Pauloâs mecca for collectors Printing nine million stickers a day, Paniniâs South American HQ is fuelling a collecting craze and debunking conspiracy theories inShare 6 Email Hadley Freeman Hadley Freeman in SĂŁo Paulo The Guardian, Monday 16 June 2014 12.41 BST Jump to comments (28) Cutting the stickers in a guillotine at the Panini factory. Cutting the stickers in a guillotine at the Panini factory. Photograph: Tom Jenkins âAlthough Iâm a little hoarse today as I was cheering so much last night at the football!â chortles the olâ (slightly husky) smoothy. Martins had, like the football fan he is, been at the opening game the night before and his respect for stickers is as wholehearted as that of any devotee. When he talks about the excitement of âbuying a pack, and thinking: âOh! Maybe the one I need will be in here!ââ, his eyes pop. When friends ask him for the occasional sticker freebie, he is quite rightly indignant: âWhen Volkswagen releases a new model no one asks people who work there for a free car.â Panini is, as the name suggests, an Italian company, but it has had a factory near SĂŁo Paulo since 1989, which provides stickers to all of South America and Latin America, while the one in Modena, Italy, attends to everyone elseâs sticker needs. The World Cup is the companyâs bonanza time, with sales increasing by what Martins modestly estimates as 50%. The publication of the World Cup albums, with their 640 squares waiting to be filled with the faces of every football player, plus those all important shinies, is rightly described by Martins as âthe real launch of the World Cupâ. Sales are up this World Cup in nearly all the 100 countries in which the stickers are sold, but Brazil is by far the largest consumer, with twice as many sticker sales as Germany, its only real competitor in the sticker aficionado stakes. A lot of this, of course, is to do with the World Cup happening in Brazil: Panini sticker collecting has become a sign of patriotism, with even Brazilâs president, Dilma Rousseff, claiming that she winds down after a hard day of international politics by swapping stickers with her three-year-old grandson. But it has also become a form of Brazilian socialising: huge meets are organised on social media so fans can swap stickers in malls and other public spaces. âMy theory is that itâs because of the internet. You have 1,000 friends on Facebook, but how many do you see every day? You donât have 1,000 friends, you just maybe communicate with 1,000 people,â says Martins, telling it like it is. âI think people like to meet, and this is an opportunity.â Workers taking a lunchtime break at the Panini factory. Workers taking a lunchtime break at the Panini factory. Photograph: Tom Jenkins He reveals that, just as Panini collectors have long suspected, âyes you canâ improve your chances of finishing your collection if you buy stickers from different vendors because of the way the stickers are distributed. He pooh-poohs the rumour that they deliberately restrict the number of a teamâs stickers in that teamâs country as a sales tactic (âHa ha! No.â). Does Panini get annoyed when their team lineups turn out to be â how to put this delicately â wrong? Ashley Cole, for one, is in the England lineup in the album. âI say, our teams arenât wrong, theyâre different. Back in 2010 we selected Ronaldinho and the coach chose KakĂĄ, who was injured and we were eliminated â so who was really wrong?â And finally, what the hell has happened to the England team? Not on the pitch â in the stickers. Whereas all the other teams are pictured in their kit, the England players appear be Photoshopped into plain white T-shirts. Worse, instead of having a proper team photo, they are instead a weird collection of floating heads. âHahaha! Itâs annoying, no?â he laughs. Yes, it is. The reason, English fans may not be surprised to learn, is the FA. They may be more surprised to learn that it is also due to Robert Maxwell. Up until 1988, Panini UK had an agreement with the FA and was allowed to use images. But then Maxwell bought Panini and the directors of Panini UK broke away: âYouâre from the UK so you understand: Maxwell did not have a very good reputation there, right?â smiles Martins. These directorsThey formed their own company, Merlin, and took the rights with them. Merlin was then taken over by Topps and the result is that England are the only World Cup team that Panini canât reproduce with logos or emblems, which is why the players all look like theyâre wearing bibs in the photos. âWe have made offers for Topps, though not directly â we definitely want [the rights from the FA.] Topps stickers are not the same quality as ours,â he shrugs. Downstairs in the factory, it is almost impossible to believe that nine million stickers are processed and packaged every day. The factory floor is about the size of a small school auditorium and, while the cutting and mixing machines make an impressive amount of noise, the most striking thing about it is how manual it is: the machines are all fed by hand and over 70 workers walk calmly around with giant sheets of playersâ images before slicing them, mixing them and packaging them. Even more amazing is the request room, where inquiries for specific stickers come in. The factory currently receives over 8,000 requests a day and these are filled by a handful of women diligently fetching stickers out of cubbyholes and then filling envelopes. âWomen are more attentive than men. They are better at detail. Itâs true!â Martins grins. So come on, JosĂ©. If we canât, in all good conscience, ask for our missing stickers, tell us at least the secret to completing a Panini sticker album before the World Cup. âStart collecting in April or May. You need to buy about 100, 110 packs of stickers. Then get out there and swap with your friends! Swap! Itâs fun, no?â
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