Shop Online 4 - UK

The latest on this autumn’s sporting entertainment courtesy of ITV1.

England Internationals

Fabio Capello’s England team will be putting their recent woes behind them when they start their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup this autumn on ITV1.

Following the disappointment of failing to qualify for 2008, the team will be determined to prove their international worth during the season, and will be facing Kazakhstan in their first home World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 11 October.

ITV 1 will also be broadcasting England’s international against Germany live on Wednesday 19 November when Capello’s men will face the Euro 2008 finalists in Berlin. 1 is to transmit every England qualifier played on home turf for the World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 competitions as well, with comprehensive same-day highlights of all England games later in the evening on ITV1.

UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League returns to ITV in September with Europe’s top clubs convening again to do battle for one of the most prestigious trophies in world club football.

British teams did outstandingly well in the competition last season, with Manchester United beating Chelsea on penalties in the first all-British final in Moscow. And it was the fourth year in succession that a British team had reached the final, while Liverpool also made the semi-finals.

This season, British clubs should once again be present in abundance in the early stages, with Manchester United and Chelsea having secured automatic places in the group stage, and Liverpool and Arsenal entering at the third and final qualifying stage in late August. Meanwhile, Rangers are to compete in the second qualifying round, with Llanelli entering the contest at the first qualifying stage.

ITV will broadcast the pick of the two live games each Tuesday on ITV1 and ITV4, with comprehensive highlights of all the evening’s games being shown later in the evening on ITV1.

The FA Cup

The FA Cup kicks off on its new ITV1 home, with the pick of the live games from round one through to the final. The road to Wembley begins in November with some of Britain’s most modest clubs ready for the opportunity to take on top Premier League talent.

Last season, many clubs outside the top flight found success, with Chasetown becoming the smallest team ever to reach the FA Cup third round and non-league Havant and Waterlooville reaching the fourth round to play mighty Liverpool at Anfield.

Current FA Cup holders Portsmouth were the only Premier League club to reach the semi-finals; the first time since 1908 that the top division has had only one representative playing at that stage.

And this year’s FA Cup is already breaking new records, with 762 club entries beating the all-time record that was only set last season. It should be a contest packed full of action as the lower league clubs look to make a name for themselves, while those in the top flight fight to regain their place at the top of the pile.

ITV1 will also show comprehensive highlights at each stage of the competition, including the ties not broadcast live on the channel.

Formula 1

Steve Rider presents live coverage from the final six rounds of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, with the Belgian, Italian, Singapore, Japanese, Chinese and Brazilian Grand Prix still to come.

All eyes are on British driving prodigy Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to improve upon his second place finish in the driver’s championship in 2007 after his meteoric rise to fame during his debut season.

Hamilton won the first race of the 2008 season in Australia, also taking the flag in Monaco and Silverstone, with podium finishes in the Spanish and Turkish Grand Prix.

Now battling to win the driver’s championship, he faces strong competition from reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen and his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, as well as BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica.

Steve Rider will be joined live by former drivers Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle, with commentary from James Allen and reports from Louise Goodman and Ted Kravitz.