Panini Adrenalyn XL World Cup trading cards

The Football World Cup moves ever closer and its time to look at the second set of cards available. Panini have two sets celebrating the World Cup, the first offering from Panini is Adrenalyn XL World Cup edition. This is in direct competition to Match Attax however Panini have also produced two European football editions called 'Foot 2010-Adrenalyn XL', 'Calciatori -Adrenalyn XL' and there is a basketball version of Adrenalyn XL too. As it is with all the trading card sets produced of late, you can purchase as a starter set ; a book to hold your cards, a playing mat, instructions, 3 packs and a limited edition card. I bought 7 packs (because that was all the money I had in my pocket at the time) plus I was given a free pack as part of a promotion. There are 6 cards per pack and these are a 'special UK Edition'.

There are 350 cards to collect;

250 in the base set.

25 Star Players - 1in 4 packs

25 Goal Stoppers -1 in 4 packs

25 Fan favourites -1in 8 packs

25 Champions - 1 in 25 packs

Although I haven't seen any, there are meant to be special material cards. The odds of finding one of these relics is not stated.

The free pack:

Mario Gomez Germany

Diego Forlan Uruguay

Vincent Enyeama Nigeria Goal Stopper

Bosingwa Portugal

Arjen Robben Netherlands

Gilberto Silva Brazil

Pack 1:

Yaya Toure Ivory Coast Star Player

Didier Zokora Ivory Coast

Julio Cesar Brazil

Christian Poulsen Denmark

Andrea Pirlo Italy

Michael Essien GhanaPack 2:
Harry Kewell Australia
Sergio Romero Argentina
Milos Krasic Serbia
Aleksandar Kolarov Serbia
Arjen Robben Netherlands
Lukas Podolski Germany

Pack 3:

John Obi Mikel Nigeria Fan Favourite

Hugo Lloris France

Jermain Defoe England

Dennis Rommedahl Denmark

Joseph Yobo Nigeria

Carlos Bocanegra USA

Pack 4:

David Beckham England

Fabio Cannavaro Italy

Steve Cherundolo USA

Angel Di Maria Argentina

Diego Lugano Uruguay

Julio Cesar Brazil Goal Stopper

Pack 5:

Tim Howard USA Goal Stopper

Michael Ballack Germany

Daniel Jensen Denmark

Frank Lampard England

Peter Pekarik Slovakia

Lucio Brazil

Pack 6:
Didier Drogba Ivory Coast

Simon Kjaer Denmark

Lucas Neill Australia

Jozy Altidore USA

Salvator Cabanas Paraguay Star Player

Raul Albiol Spain

Pack 7:
Clint Dempsey USA
Florent Malouda France
Javier Zanetti Argentina
Andre Ooijer Netherlands
Nicklas Bendtner Denmark
Milivoje Novakovic Serbia

I like these. A varied selection of international (and premiership) players. Quite a few unknowns and they couldn't have found a worse picture of David Beckham if they tried.