film trilogy tells tale of football (kuno's broken nose)
The game of football is the centrepiece of a trilogy that leads to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Goal, the first part of the trilogy, is a rags to riches story with a protagonist who dreams of playing international football, quite like real life.
The film tells the tale of Santiago Munez, a talented football player who is spotted by a British talent scout and given a chance to play on the Newcastle United reserve team.
Major challenge
For actor Kuno Becker, the challenge was in keeping to the fitness levels of the professional footballers in the film, and training in the presence of ardent Newcastle fans at the team's home ground.
"I had to try and become a footballer in three-four months. Most of these guys have been playing for 20 years, and it was hard for me," Becker said.
"I broke my ankles, broke my nose, a lot of muscle injuries, everything," he added.
Great opportunity
For the football crazy actor Alessando Nivola, it wasn't the character but the opportunity that made the film appealing.
"I took this job because they told me I would be able to train with Alan Shearer. I'd barely read the script and I accepted the job," Nivola said.
"It was only later that I realised there was actually going to be a great character to play, and that there was a lot more to it than just that," he added.
The movie also features many of Newcastle United's real life stars, as also cameos from David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.
The second film in the series will see Santiago signing for Real Madrid, while the third film will follow him through to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.
