Panini World Cup 2006

Panini Germany 2006 is the 10th World Cup Panini album, a regular publication since the first Panini World Cup Mexico 1970.

Opening the album, there is the sticker zero on the left (Panini stamp) and four metallic stickers on the right page (trophy, mascot and logos). The album continues with the stadium page (12 stickers) and the calendar of the competition. Then all the national teams are showed, following the order of the group stage. Each of the 32 teams (except Angola, Ghana and Saudi Arabia) is placed on two pages with a total of 19 stickers: the team logo (metallic sticker), the squad, and 17 players. The teams Angola, Ghana and Saudi Arabia are placed on one page with 10 stickers each: team logo (metallic), squad and 18 players on 9 stickers (two players per sticker). In the following we review each group with teams and players in details.

Group A: Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

Germany had a young and promising team, but they were not able to reach the final, losing with Italy (0-2) in the semifinals. Players like Podolski, Schweinsteiger and Lahm were at their first big event. Costa Rica most famous player was Wanchope, who played in Europe for Manchester City. Poland was eliminated in the group, while Ecuador reached the round of 16 (lost against England) with great performances of Tenorio and Delgado.

Group B: England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden

England shows the rising star (21 years old) Rooney. Other big names are Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Owen. Most famous players of Paraguay are Gamarra and Santa Cruz. In Trinidad and Tobago we find the ex-Manchester United player Dwight Yorke (35 years old). Sweden has a big name too: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Group C: Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia, Netherlands

Lots of great players in this group. In Argentina we find a very young Leo Messi (19 years old), at his first World Cup. In the same team other great players as Veron, Crespo, and Tevez. The big name of Ivory Coast is Drogba, whereas Serbia includes Nemanja Vidic (Manch. United). Netherlands shows three young stars: Robben (22 years old), Van der Vaart (23) and Van Persie (23)

Group D: Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

In this group Portugal was the best team. They won the group and reached the semifinals. Here we can find one of the first Cristiano Ronaldo stickers. Other important players like Figo, Deco, Carvalho are also included.

Group E: Ghana, Italy, USA, Czech Republic

Here we have Italy, the World Cup winners! In the base set the album includes Christian Vieri that actually was not present at the World Cup (at his place Inzaghi). The characteristics of the team were a great defense (Buffon, Cannavaro and Materazzi above all) a concrete midfield (Gattuso, De Rossi, Pirlo), decisive forwards (Totti and Toni), and a secret ingredient: Fabio Grosso, who scored against Germany in the semifinal and kicked the last penalty in the final against France.

Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia and Japan

Brazil was one of the most expected team as they featured Kakà, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Robinho and Ronaldo. However, they were kicked out in the quarter finals. Australia surprisingly passed the group stage, with players as Tim Cahill and Kewell.

Group G: France, Switzerland, South Korea and Togo

France lost the final against Italy and the main protagonist of their tournament was in the good and in the bad Zinedine Zidane, at his last appearance on the football field. Other great players were Trezeguet, Henry, Vieira, Thuram, Barthez.

Group H: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia

Spain arrived with great ambitions and big names (Raul, Torres, Morientes), but they failed in the round of 16 against France. Ukraine easily passed the group with their leader Andriy Shevchenko.

Album Details

Full name: Fifa World Cup 2006

Publisher: Panini

Competition: World Cup (National Teams)

Number of teams: 32

Stickers per team: 19 stickers

                              (Angola, Ghana and S.Arabia have10 stickers)

Special sections: Introduction (5 stickers)

                           Stadiums (12 stickers)

Total number of stickers: 597

For more information about this collection and update sets you can check Cardz Review:

http://www.cardzreview.com/panini-germany-fifa-2006-a-z-guide/