Author | Various journalists |
---|---|
Original title | Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio |
Country | Italy |
Language | Italian |
Discipline | Association football |
Publisher | Panini Group (1971–present) |
Published | 1939–present |
Media type | |
Website | Panini Italy |
The Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio (English: Football Illustrated Almanac) is an annual publication concerning football in Italy, from the first division (Serie A) to lower leagues that compose the league system in the country.[1]
The Almanacco revisites the football activities within the year, including statistics, results, and curiosities. Currently edited by Panini, the annual has been published since 1939.
The first Italian football almanacs were launched in 1913 and 1938, under different names.[2] In 1939 the book took its current form,[2] under the name Enciclopedia Illustrata del Calcio Italiano.[3] The reported statistics and information of the 1937–38 season (in Italy and worldwide, for example third World Cup) have, in addition, colour spots.[2]
Publishing has always been annual, except during World War II,[2] but the 1947 edition covered those seasons, as well as other seasons.[2] Panini started publishing in 1971.[2]
The Almanacco combines numbers, photos and information about previous and current seasons. The usual chapters are as follows:
Some editions also contains specials about tournaments (FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, Confederations Cup), biographies of players and clubs (e.g. on the anniversary of foundation, or when they go bankrupt). The book is published in autumn, and it is updated to November.
Until 2002, the Almanacco, which was printed in black and white covered history of Italian championships (before and after 1929 split - known as "girone unico" - with results, tables and champion squads) and the list of Italian national games (from 1910).[5] The principal format changes are listed below:
Later editions also have brought news, such as lists of record-holders for Serie A clubs and focus.[4][7]
Catania's 2003 scandal meant for the next season, Serie B was expanded from 20 to 24 teams. The Almanacco printed in late 2004 (with 2005 on its cover) was, as result, longer than previous editions. Panini therefore decided, starting with the following edition, to produce a shorter book. Statistics replied until that moment were cut, to being published in a special publication (Almanacco: La Storia 1898-2004) not counted as canonical. It was published in September 2005, months before the regular publication.[8]