Endorsed by the English and Scottish Premier Leagues,

and the English and Scottish Football Leagues

■ Guide to the players from the English and Scottish Leagues on display in the 2010 FIFA World Cup ■ Packed with exclusive stats, tables and fascinating facts ■ Comprehensive coverage of the season’s key moments and all the best previews of the season to come ■ Full-colour sections featuring extensive coverage of every team north and south of the border

“A must for anyone who enjoys the facts and figures side of the game

“

The League

AVAILABLE FROM BOOKSHOPS AND ONLINE AT WWW.ACBLACK.COM WSC No 282, August 2010

Contents

Sepp Blatter and Jacob Zuma are caught up among the whooping Spanish players and look like a couple of OAPs who have wandered onto a dancefloor World Cup diary p10-20, 30-34

The last fans leave Soccer City after the World Cup final

4 Editorial England’s vicious circle 6 News watch Why the tabloids had a subdued summer;

plus friend or foe – how Italy sees Capello 8 Shot! From Argentine idols to Ghanian choirs,

the wide variety of fans in South Africa 10 Group stage diary “A goal for all Africa.” “Our knowledge of these teams is limited.” “I didn’t fancy him, still don’t.” “Got to change it now, the Svenster.” “Ghana are as keen as a badger.” 22 National psychosis How the Premier League has failed to boost

England; plus Mike Straight on why everything will be fine 24 Seeing South Africa A reporter’s impressions of the host nation outside the media bubble 27 Virtual reality The perils of trying to watch every game of the tournament on the internet 28 Just for laughs Banal World Cup TV –

James Corden unavoidable

Fabio’s press p7

ALISTAIR BERG

C OL OR S P ORT

29 Crowd scenes Getting noticed on the big screen 30 Knockout stage diary “Weather you’d expect at Port Vale.”

“Dancing to the African beat.” “Brazil score a British goal!” “A knee to the lower carriage.” “What’s Spanish for a Bafta – a Bafto?” 36 World Cup finalists Spain are short on goals but still worthy winners while Holland’s reputation is damaged in a fractious finale 38 France &Germany A government inquest begins into the

French f lop; huge crowds in Berlin salute the progress made by Joachim Löw’s team 40 South America Despair in Brazil as the Selecção slump to a surprise defeat. Meanwhile, Uruguay record their best performance in 40 years 42 USA Second-round elimination fails to convince Bob Bradley’s critics 43 WSC survey Have your say on the World Cup,

football grounds and WSC 46 Blind faith Supporting England no matter what and even enjoying it