Football and European Identity

Remember the Teutons: English coverage of Germany at the 2010 World Cup

“…First, writers and reporters drew on 'metaphors of light and illumination', a tactic employed by French journalists in accounts of their own national team. 58 Hence, one reads of a German side that looked 'vibrant', 'glistened with fluency', emanated 'radiance' and produced 'sparkling' football. 59 Such descriptions were attached to individual players, as well.…”

“…As West Germany won the World Cup in front of a home audience in 1974, celebrations of individuality came to the fore, mirroring the birth of the 'hippie generation' and challenges to customary values. 36 Aesthetically, grace took the place of power, personified in the captain, Beckenbauer. 'Bucking the trend toward a soccer of sheer panzer-style strength', recalls Galeano, 'he proved that elegance can be more powerful than a tank and delicacy more penetrating than a howitzer'.…”

Contrasting Representations of Englishness During FIFA World Cup Finals

“…[15] Other than Crolley and Hand"s investigation of football coverage in The Times throughout the twentieth century and Chisari"s analysis of The Times during World Cup Finals between 1930 and 1970, all of these studies have centred on press coverage of Euro 96 or more recent international competitions. [16] Yet, England has been involved in the FIFA World Cup for longer than any other major international football tournament. [17] Although the main focus has been on World Cups since 1966, all of the fifty-five matches the England team have played during each of the twelve World Cup Finals tournaments they have qualified for have been drawn upon to some extent in the current research study.…”

“…Moreover, evidence is provided from The Times on how the effects of the decline of the British Empire, devolution and the rise of the European Union meant, "Union flags … were to give way to the flags of St George during the 1990s as an "English" and "post-British" consciousness increased," yet how, "the "new" national identity actually resembles very closely the way in which the old was portrayed in the press". [24] '…red/white and blue ': 1950 -1966 First, it is important to note that the evidence gathered in relation to World Cup Finals before 1966 is nowhere near as comprehensive as that for 1966 and beyond. Therefore, the majority of extracts mentioned in this section are from 1966, with a few snippets from coverage of previous tournaments that are early examples of themes later evident in 1966 and beyond.…”

Fan debates on English national identity surrounding the Almunia case

“…45 Yet, this kind of 'Little Englander' viewpoint expressed by some could not accurately be applied to the views of all English fans. 46 Another fan contributing to this thread said of Manuel Almunia: 49 In response to this there was a supposed 'gentlemen's agreement' between the UK FAs that they would not pick 'foreign' players for their national teams.…”