WORLD WIDE ENTERTAINMENT SYNOPSES ʻFOOTBALL FANATICSʼ ʻLive the 2010 Dreamʼ When all you can think about is football, youʼre a Football Fanatic! Episode 1 Football History So much more than just a sport, football – the world game or “soccer” in some countries – is truly a global phenomenon; a way of life; and the way to fame and fortune for some of its most gifted players. But where would football be without its greatest and most passionate supporters – the fans? Football itself dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. The “Cambridge Rules” were drawn up at Cambridge University and formed the basis of the game we know today. Episode 2 Legends 1 Fans will always disagree on who was the best footballer, ever. Yet it cannot be denied that Argentine Diego Maradona, along with Brazilian Pele, Franceʼs Zinidine Zidane and Germanyʼs Beckenbauer; are the frontrunners for the title. The four champions of their individual countries and clubs helped lift the profile of the game all over the world with their awe-inspiring talent, World Cup appearances and above all, passion for their sport. Episode 3 The Peopleʼs Passion 1 A mob mentality fuelled by alcohol often leads to scenes of violence, but nowhere in sport has it been more prevalent than in our world game. Soccer hooliganism dates back to the 1880ʼs, where troublemakers would sometimes attack umpires or the opposing teamʼs players. In 1985 in Brussels, the situation came to a nasty head, as a match between Liverpool and Juventis turned ugly. Six hundred people were injured, and 39 killed in an incident that was supposedly sparked by two Liverpool players applauding fireworks set off by their fans. Episode 4 Stars 1 He could have been a tennis player, but, luckily for lovers of the world game, Kaka chose football, and the rest is recent history. There are those who say that Argentinaʼs Lionel Messi is the best of his generation. Wayne Rooney is the shining star for Manchester United as well as England and the fans love him. Thierry Henry - like many of the greats, football was his ticket out of a tough life in a tough suburb of Paris. Samuel Eto is another football great who has been the subject of racism on the field in his career. But this has not stopped Eto becoming arguably the greatest Cameroonian footballer of all time. With his matinee idol looks and sublime yet precocious talent, Christiano Ronaldo may yet be the greatest ever gift to the game of football.

Episode 5 Nations 1 In the history of world football, one team stands as the benchmark; sets the standard by which all over teams strive to meet. This team is Brazil. As far as World Cup football is concerned, there has been no other team as successful or as blessed with natural talent as the South American powerhouse. Japan is another team vying for success at this yearʼs World Cup. Making their WC debut in 1998, they have played in all subsequent tournaments, not advancing to the finals, but surprising many with their skill for a country not known for its football prowess. Also featured: Mexican Nationals, Cameroon Nationals; and England. Episode 6 Nations 2 One of the most successful and glamorous teams in the world, Argentina has nonetheless had a torturous run in the qualifying stage of the FIFA World Cup of late. Over the past two World Cups, the team have struggled to move past the group stage, but in the lead up to the 2010 Cup, things feel different. One factor may be their coach, arguably the best player the game has ever seen; Diego Maradona. France has had its difficulties in its history with the World Cup also; injuries and lack of faith in coaches past blamed for their lack of success. Also featured: Cote Dʼivoire (the Ivory Coast), Australia, Germany and Portugal.

Episode 7 Teams 1 Real Madrid is considered the most successful Spanish club, and has become that way by spending lots of money to secure some of the most famous names the football world has seen, including that of Christiano Ronaldo, Zinidine Zidane, and David Beckham. Like Real Madrid, Manchester United continues to be a club that attracts fans the world over. You either love them or hate them, but you canʼt ignore them – or the passion of their fanatical supporters! Not even the Munich air disaster in 1958, which killed eight members of the team, could keep the legendary club down! Also featured: Italian powerhouse AC Milan. Episode 8 Team Managers Italian Fabio Capello has earned much acclaim for his talents as a team manager. He has managed five world-renowned football clubs, most notably AC Milan, and was appointed England National team manager in 2007, a move the fans embraced, as they believed their team needed the discipline Capello was famous for. When it comes to football managers, Sir Alex Ferguson is a household name. With Manchester United, he has amazed over thirty trophies during his time at the helm, making him one of the most successful managers of all time. Also featured: Gus Hiddink, Martin OʼNeill, Carlo Ancilotti and Jose Marigno. Episode 9 Football Events The build up to the 1966 World Cup was almost as newsworthy as the main event, after the trophy, which was housed in several different locations around host country England beforehand, was stolen from a stamp exhibition! It was found – not by those looking for it, but quite by accident – by a dog named Pickles; who sniffed it out while exploring some bushes! Wembley Stadium was the venue for the final of that yearʼs Cup, staged between England and West Germany; where England famously won its first World Cup victory. Also featured: Brazilʼs Ronaldo, Argentinaʼs Diego Maradona and South Korea in 2002. Episode 10 Stadiums & Countries Englandʼs beloved Wembley Stadium gets a timely but trouble-plagued makeover, finally getting the tick of approval from players and officials alike; Park Stadium in Germany is no longer used to host major events, but was the venue for five matches of the 1975 World Cup; The Veltans Arena is a relatively new stadium in Germany which hosts music concerts, and was one of the venues of the 2006 World Cup; Cape Town Stadium in South Africa is another example of the newer, multipurpose arenas that can handle a large capacity crowd for major events. Also featured: Seoul World cup Stadium and The Birdʼs Nest (Beijing). Episode 11 Team Business 1 Football Fanatics takes a look at what goes into making a team a powerful force in the world game. Manchester United has been around since 1892; their most successful year 1999 where they won the treble of championship titles. Part of this success has to do with team management, and the ability to pay large transfer fees to acquire the best possible talent. The clubʼs financial status is in the hands of its owner, or owners, and of course, relies on supporters paying their memberships and buying merchandise. Man U is one of the most famous sporting clubs in the world, as are AC Milan, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. All clubs have the full support of their die-hard fans, win, lose or draw! Episode 12 Road To The World Cup It seems hard to believe, with the phenomena that it has become in modern times, that the FIFA World Cup began as a competition between only four European nations. Since the event has been staged in a different host country every four years, its popularity and appeal have grown to epic proportions. To put in a bid to host the World Cup, a nation has to meet certain requirements; such has having enough venues to cover the large amount of games; and the size and quality of each venue. Some other considerations are the visiting teamsʼ accommodation, and of course, what the plans the country has to ensure the safety and security of the FIFA World Cup. Episode 13 Football Issues 1 The influx of technology, particularly computers, has changed the way we view, analyse and compare data, and in no other field has the recording of statistics changed than in sport. It is now much easier for team officials, coaches and the media to analyse a game, or an individual playerʼs contribution, while a match is in progress. Technology is also a boon for fans; who can log on and find out about a playerʼs fitness, matchups and tactics

as well as watch the game itself, with broadband access. Digital cameras mean we can capture a moment in time with far better picture quality than ever before. But despite the hold technology has on our game, all loyal supporters really want is accurate, fair decisions from the referees!

Episode 14 Football Derbies/Rivalries 1 Who really knows why rivalries between sporting clubs begin? Sometimes itʼs war; sometimes itʼs a countryʼs politics that the other club doesnʼt like. But usually just plain old competitive spirit can be enough to fan the flames of antagonism between certain teams. The rivalry between Argentina and Brazil is a perfect example of this. Thereʼs no real hostility between them, just a desire to be considered the best South America can offer. Matches between these great rivals normally involve controversial decisions and rough play. And then there is the age old debate: who is the greater legend, Brazilʼs Pele, or Argentinaʼs Maradona? Episode 15 Club Culture One thing that seems to unite clubs and fans alike is disaster. The most memorable event to befall a club happened on February 6, 1958, to Manchester United FC. Their plane, carrying the senior team and a number of officials and journalists crashed in Munich. Twenty-two of the passengers, eight of them players, died either at the scene, or later in hospital. Known as the Munich Air Disaster, its impact almost brought one of the worldʼs most famous sporting clubs to its knees. But to the credit of the coach and remaining players, they soldiered on, dedicating their efforts to their fallen team mates, and ensuring that “Busbyʼs Babes” will never be forgotten. Also featured: Liverpoolʼs Hillsborough Disaster; the rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and The Football War. Episode 16 Legends 2 Born in Ghana in 1964, Abedi Pele was one of the first African players to have an impact on football in Europe. His goal-kicking prowess was instrumental to Marseilleʼs success in the European Championʼs League in the early 1990ʼs. Ryan Giggs is currently English footballʼs most decorated players, becoming the first to collect 11 top-division EPL title medals, and was the first in history to receive two PFA Young Player of the Year awards, in ʼ92 and ʼ93. French star Eric Cantena has won four EPL titles in five years. The tall forward is regarded as being the spark that has lead Man Uʼs revival as a powerhouse in the EPL. Episode 17 Football Scandals/Controversy 1 Football has been as littered with scandal and controversy as it is with legends and inspiring victories. Match-fixing is seen as the ultimate betrayal to fans. The 2006 Italian football scandal involved Uventis team managers bribing referees. Points were taken away and the club was demoted to the minor league. The game will always have its flawed geniuses who test the supportersʼ patience, and Man Uʼs Wayne Rooney is one of those players; sex scandals dogging his career and relationship with childhood sweetheart, Colleen McLachlan. Also featured: Christophe Daum, Robert Hoyzer, Sepp Blatter, and the “Hand of Henry” scandal. Episode 18 Football Issues 2 It is has become fashionable for anyone in the public eye these days to use their fame for a good cause, and footballers are no different. Many players use their free time to promote causes close to their hearts and visit sick children in hospital, but one of the best ways to raise money on a large scale is to auction off football memorabilia and stage charity matches – even involving non-football players like Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher! For many players, charity matches are a way of showing off their skill in the game they love without the pressure of needing to win; coupled with the knowledge that theyʼre doing their bit to make someoneʼs life a little better. Episode 19 Stars 2 Germanyʼs Michael Ballack has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of his sport, becoming one of the most valued players of his era as he plays for both his country in the World Cup and Chelsea in the EPL. Brazilian striker Robinihoʼs rise to fame came at a price – his mother was held to ransom by kidnappers in 2005. Samuel Eto is Cameroonʼs most talented striker, helping Majorca to their first title, before being transferred to FC Barcelona, where he has reached a level that places him with the worldʼs best. Also featured: Michael Essian, “Xavy” and Frank Lampard

Episode 20 Football Derbies/Rivalries 2 Milan is not only Italyʼs stylish fashion capital; itʼs also the home to one of the most fearsome rivalries in European football – Inter Milan and AC Milan. Incredibly, the two clubs share the same stadium, something which must cause headaches when trying to organise practice sessions! El Classico is the nickname given to the derby played between Spanish rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is a fight for supremacy between the two richest and most influential clubs in Spain, and is watched by millions around the world. Other rivalries featured: Rangers vs Celtics, Man City vs Man U and Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos. Episode 21 Nations 3 Among the strongest football nations is the Netherlands. The Dutch have never won a World Cup but their dominance has been consistent for many years, reaching #2 on the FIFA world-ranking system. The Denmark Nationals have been competing since 1908, but were more successful in the pre-World Cup years. The Danish fans are among the most easy-going football fans, but that doesnʼt mean theyʼre not passionate! Greece werenʼt a football power, failing to qualify in the ʼ82, ʼ86 and ʼ90 Cups; but showed great improvement by 1994, qualifying at the top of their division. However, age and injury led to Greece suffering two 4-0 defeats and one 2-0 defeat, one of the worst records in World Cup history! Episode 22 Teams 2 Each club has its own culture; its own unique history. One of the standout clubs in the English Premier League is the Chelsea Football Club. Not one of the most successful clubs in EPL history, its recent fortune is said to be due to new ownership and management. The Greece Super League has produced a number of strong clubs, one being Panathianaikos. From 1948 to 1965 they won seven Greek championships, and two Greek cups. The ʻ63/64 season was their best, as they went through the entire season undefeated. Also featured: Werner Bremen, Inter Milan, Boca Juniors and Juventis. Episode 23 Football Issues 3 Football, or soccer, is the most popular sport for both boys and girls in the United States, and itʼs been this way for thirty years. The US team has grown in stature in recent years, largely due to its appearance in the last five FIFA World Cups. Since coming out of exile, South Africa has been a country on the move, and its bid to host the 2010 World Cup was seen as a major step in restoring relations with the rest of the world. The Brazilian School of Football in Rio De Janeiro hosts youngsters from many different nations eager to learn the skills of the game from the some of the best coaches in the sport. Much the same is happening in Iraq, in the hope that the beleaguered and war-torn country can one day field a national team again. Episode 24 Football Scandals/Controversy 2 John Terryʼs captaincy of the English football team was stripped from him in 2010 when news of an affair with a team mateʼs wife made national news. For a while, it seemed David Beckham was embroiled in controversy wherever he went, due to stories of infidelity, but the unproven allegations have so far not destroyed his marriage. Christiano Ronaldoʼs predilection for prostitutes and strippers has gotten him in trouble numerous times, with both his club, Real Madrid, and his girlfriend! But not all scandals are caused by dalliances with the opposite sex – Man U star Rio Ferdinand was convicted in 2003 of failing to take a drug test. He was banned for eight months and fined 50,000 pounds. Episode 25 Stars 3 German Franz Beckenbauer practically invented the position of attacking sweeper, with his run out of defence and charge on goal. He also won European Player of the Year award twice; and became the first person to win the World Cup as both player and coach. Pele is a name known by football fans worldwide. On the field he amazed and inspired; off it his work for various causes is well documented. The Brazilian government even declared him a national treasure, to prevent him from being transferred out of the country! Michel Platini is not so well-known, but the former president of UEAFA is beloved by the French for his contribution to the game, as both a player and an official. Also featured: Hungaryʼs Puskas; Mozambique/Portugalʼs Eusebio “The Black Pearl”; Argentine Diego Maradona.

Episode 26 The Peopleʼs Passion 2 One of the most passionate and lively local tournaments, Shrovetide Football is played in Ashbourne, England, by those North of the river (the Uppards) versus those South of it (the Downards), and has been around since 1918. The FIFA World Cup is so big it has its own song for each tournament - “The Time of Our Lives” by Il Divo and Toni Braxton is the best selling single yet. The great stadiums of the world have hosted some of the most memorable moments in footballʼs history, and the incredible atmosphere inside cannot be replicated in movies or TV. You simply have to be there. One such arena is Man Uʼs Old Trafford. Another is Africaʼs visually dynamic Mombela Stadium.