EDICOLA NEWS: REVIEWS nr. 122
stickers: 280 (240 cards + 40 stickers)
starter pack: binder + album + 16 cards + 8 stickers € 8.99
packets: € 2.00 (11 cards)
tin box: € 11.99 (50 cards)
comment: later than the rest of Europe, the 101 collection, the third production for this year dedicated to the Champions League and Europa League, is also released in Italy. The name already explains the intentions, a collection dedicated to the 101 most important players of the season in the two European club competitions.
Despite this, the collection is very rich with over 240 cards, honestly reading the check list I would not be able to say if the players are exactly 101 or someone more. Of course, to release three albums on the same theme is not customary, Topps tries to derive the greatest result from the only salable football product on which he has the rights, after losing the Premier League and destroying the Bundesliga, with albums, especially of stickers , not at the height for the important German market.
The most intriguing novelty is the mix between cards and stickers, in fact in the starter pack we have not only the binder but also a mini album for the 40 stickers, where we find page by page the best footballers on the continent and some celebrating the last edition of the Champions League.
As already seen in the Trolls World Tour album (our review https://figurineforever.com/en/2020/04/17/trolls-world-tour-topps-2/), Topps introduces the formula of adhesive stickers above the cards. Difficulty for those who collect the sets apart, but no problem for us of the old school who follow the rule “the stickers must always be attached”. How to recognize cards with stickers on them? Simple, they have a black outline. Stickers and card are related to the same player (see photo below)
This aspect is certainly the most interesting and original. There are also several limited edition cards, on sale in the tin box, in special packages and some that can only be purchased on the internet on the Topps website.
In general, perhaps not a fundamental album, cards similar to the previous collections, but in this lean period it can still be a fun pastime, although the concomitance with the Panini Adrenalyn Euro 2020 (splendid collection) does not help
(EN)