2006 World Cup Write-Up
Below:
& most other icons = World Cup update
= comment and⁄or extra information added
The Squads playing the World Cup final match will just about literally strike gold. On Tuesday, April 18, Franz Beckenbauer, introduced the World to the golden ball, a special ball that will only be used for the World Cup Final Match, on July 9, in Berlin (see information on the World Cup ball page). This special model has been named Teamgeist Berlin (Team Spirit Berlin). This is the first time, ever, that there will be a special ball for the final match, exclusively. The 2006 the World Cup winner should be allowed to keep the golden ball and use it until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, according to The Times (British newspaper). There was a 2.2-meter wide replica of the ball, at the World Cup Committee's presentation of Teamgeist Berlin, the Final Match ball.
This special ball follows the same design that characterizes the official 2006 World Cup ball, the one to be used in all other World Cup matches. In addition to the Teamgeist's being specially identified for each match, the Teamgeist Berlin exhibits a really unique look, given by its six golden patches (out of the ball's fourteen sections – the remaining eight are unaltered). So, instead of the black and white look, in the context of which a bit of gold emerges (see the Meet the 2006 World Cup Ball for description and meaning of colors), on the Teamgeist Berlin ball, the golden color is easily conspicuous.
In the case of a golden goal scored with the golden ball...well, it would certainly be a glittering occasion!...
All taking part in th3 2006 World Cup–from squad members to referees–must sign a five-point statement of purpose, according to which, they agree on fair-play, on non-discrimination, on keeping an ethical conduct, on having no involvement in betting⁄gambling, and on overall behavior compatible to the principles underlying a healthy World Cup.
Togo was the first squad to arrive in Germany for the World Cup finals (May 15), followed by
Costa Rica (May 17), whereas the last should be
Ukraine, their squad arriving on Germain soil only the day after the World Cup Opening Ceremony.
Before leaving for Germany, the Angolan Squad was taken on a parade and then offered a farewell banquet (May 19). Besides these honors, the International Credit Bank of Angola has reportedly promised US$ 5000 to each player who scores a goal in the World Cup, and an additional US$ 5000 to the best player in the team, as well as US$ 50000 per victory for the entire delegation, and another US$ 50000 also to be shared, if Angola makes it into the Round of Sixteen.
Togo's coach, German-born household name in African football, Otto Pfister left the command of the team, on the verge of World Cup kick-off (see Togo's squad's page for related details). Oddly enough, this is not the first time that an episode of this sort takes place in Otto Pfister's career. In the 1998 World Cup, he arrived in France as Saudi Arabia's manager, but ended up dismissed along the tournament, as he would not accept that the Saudi royal family interfered in his work. What is different, this time, is that he is not reported to have been sacked, but to have resigned, apparently taking many by surprise.
A week before kick-off, celebrities and sports personalities elected the new Miss World Cup. She is Togo's 24-year-old finance graduate Edwige-Grace Madze Badakou, who is reported to have faced strong contestants, such as Spain's Maria Garrido Baez and Ecuador's Katty Lopez. Upon discovering that she had won the honors for Togo, she commented that she would wish to be able to revert those honors into a contribution to promoting World peace and environmental awareness, as well as promoting Togo's artists. In addition to being present at selected World Cup matches, Miss World Cup is to take part in a number of other World Cup related events.
According to local news, on May 10, 2006, twenty-four thousand fans in Argentina reportedly sent their Soccer Federation a signed petition requesting that Diego Maradona be called for the squad they are contesting this World Cup with, in order to play for five minutes in Argentina's team. As the squad lists came out, it was obvious that the devoted fans' effort had been to no effect.
Shortly after FIFA's deadline for all squads' roosters to be submitted, Italy's manager Marcello Lippi has reportedly been target by the Italian media, with a view to a possible withdrawal from his function. Italian football not being foreign to big scandals, as it has been once more assailed, the above-mentioned pressure should likely be inconclusive.
Following a referendum on May 21, 2006, both Serbia and Montenegro are initiating a process of mutual independence as nations. Thus, this (2006) World Cup is to remain in football history as the first and last World Cup contested by a squad from Serbia and Montenegro. The World Cups to come will feature squads from either
Serbia or
Montenegro, or both (the former squad likely qualifying more often). For further related information, including links to pages containing yet other related information, just click on either flag, right above.
Guus Hiddink (currently Australia's trainer) has revealed that, following the World Cup, he will be ahead of the Russian Squad, though he will not move to Russia. Hiddink will reportedly be traveling around the country with his wife, as he observes matches in the different local championships, and he will spend approximately fifty days a year with his new squad. Two million Euros, net, per year, is what Hiddink's wages should amount to, ahead of the Russian Squad. (The rumor mill had earlier placed Hiddink as the probable substitute for Sven-Göran Eriksson, ahead of the English Team – see below.)
Incidentally, at the 2006 World Cup, referees will have their wages doubled, as compared to the 2002 World Cup. In Germany 2006, not only will each referee earn $US40,000, but also the members of seven reserve refereeing trios (see Referees page), even if these professionals are not called into action (a change of policy, regarding the previous World Cups). According to FIFA, the total refereeing budget is reported to mount to a minimum of $US4 million!
Twenty-three referees from 21 different countries have been chosen to officiate the 64 games to be played in Germany, during the month-long competition starting on June 9. See Referees page, for related data. The refereeing trios for each match will be announced 48 hours in advance.
France's Nelly Viennot did not figure among the assistant referees nominated from a final list of candidates, at the start of April. However, she was the only woman to figure in the final group of 82, from which the 60 World Cup assistant referees emerged. Nelly Viennot was the first female referee ever to have had the possibility of being an official at a World Cup.
For the first time in a World Cup, referees are going to have assistants from the same country or the same confederation.
Italy and Mexico are the only countries to have two referees officiating in this World Cup.
Also for the first time in a World Cup, the body of referees counts on a support and development group, which consists of five referees and ten assistants. Their role is to be ready to go into action, should one of the selected officials be injured or ill.
Let us trust that the World Cup referees have been watching closely the friendlies taking place as warm-up games in the build-up to the World Cup kick off, and in special the match betwen Australia and the Netherlands. The referees and respective assistants will hopefully also be getting ready adequately, so as to prevent with rigor the sort of kicking game that the Australian squad brought onto the pitch, against the Dutch, sadly for those who enjoy the beautiful game.
The Dutch have been playing very exciting soccer with that young team they are bringing to the World Cup. So, whether we are Dutch or not, we, soccer fans cross our fingers that the three Dutch players who left the pitch injured (Cocu, Sneijder, and Van Bronckhorst) will not have suffered anything too serious, and will be able to recover well and in time to allow us all to enjoy their playing against Argentina, Serbia and Montenegro, Côte d'Ivoire, and very possibly beyond these matches. For, on June 4, at least–and a mere friendly!–'Australian tactics' seemed to have been dictated by two 'bosses': Hiddink and Hitting...
Whereas one can certainly see Hiddink's skilled finger in the way the Socceroos position themselves in the field and develop their game, it has at the same time been shocking to see how physically (putting it very mildly) the Australian boys were putting it all to practice on June 4. It was only after two or three Dutch players had to leave the field, unable to walk, that the English referee who officiated the match at last drew a red card–for Luke Wilkshire.
update: The socceroos have praiseworthily brought a more moderate style to the World Cup (going by their first match, against Japan), which they will hopefully not divert from. This being remarked, it must nonetheless be observed that, now and then, during that match, an Australian boot could be seen going for a Japanese leg or ankle, either after the ball had been played, or after the opponent had fallen down. As always, much is said about the referees, beforehand, but how fair and accurate they actually officiate their World Cup matches seems to be a horse of a different color, and something difficult to control, despite the best intentions, it apears. (For kudos to Australia, on their first match, see the Noteworthy page.)
Hopefully, the refereeing attitude will be different (from that in the Australia-Netherlands friendly) during the World Cup. To imagine that Ronaldinho Gaúcho's legs are going to be aimed at, the same way as above-mentioned, on June 18, and put through the same risks...it makes any fan shiver in concern (or could it be yet more fiercely?... after all, the match between Australia and Brazil will no longer be called a 'friendly'!...) All in all, going by this 'friendly'(?!) match on June 4, the Socceroos have made quite an appaling impression, as regards what they may be up to displaying in the World Cup, especially if the FIFA referees officiating their matches are not sufficiently attentive and secure, to ensure that the ball, rather than the opponent players' bodies, be the focus.
Regarding the sort of fooball that the Australian squad displayed on June 4, French newspaper (see citations on the Quotes Page) has commented that the only friendly attribute to the match resided in its name. The Dutch were reported shocked, at the end of the match, at the physical soccer that the Australian squad had brought to the pitch, some adding that it had been a scandal, that the Australians had really gone beyond any acceptable limits. , moreover, remarks on the irony that resides in the fact that Australia's manager, Guus Hiddink, happens to be Dutch!... Though nothing of the sort emerged while he was training the (South) Korean boys, in the previous World Cup (2002), could Hiddink's fingerprints be found anywhere, as far as this surprising style of play that the Socceroos brought to the pitch, at a simple friendly?...
Let us hope FIFA is on the look out and properly getting their referees well prepared to allow the beautiful game to reign. After all, that is to be expected–not merely hoped for–given that care has been taken even to ensure ball and boots that can enhance skillfull playing! And that is all we, fans, wish: to watch great display of soccer (not intimidating physical strength display) this World Cup, independently of who may take the Cup, at the end.
Today, the 1966 World Cup is recognized as the most violent of all (in fact, a British commentator said in 2006 that, by today's standards, half of the Portuguese team would have been red-carded, in their 1966 match against Brazil–in that match, Pelé was literally hunted down to injury). It would be a real shame if anything similar had to be said in the future, regarding the 2006 (or any other) World Cup. We have waited four years for this show. It must not be spoiled, whether by violent playing or by weakness in the refereeing body. It is in FIFA's hands to ensure the memorable show we all look forward to.
Certainly a factor contributing to make soccer such a fascinating sport is the little kinship it may hold with logic. The German Squad, after suffering a sound defeat to Italy (4x1), imposed a similarly demolishing score over the North American Team, early in 2006! Interestingly, Italy and the United States are in the same World Cup Group (E); but of course no one would dare predict, based on these friendly matches just mentioned, that Italy will come out with a victory, when the two Squads play each other on June 17.
Germany had a dream start to this World Cup. On a parallel game, however, a back-up team have reportedly been requested: around 7000 prostitutes currently in Germany suposedly cannot keep up with demand for their services. Clients have been seen taking walks while waiting for their turn.
Surprisingly, the Trinidad and Tobago side has been provoking the English Team off the pitch, in the build-up to their match. In addition to controversy fueled by Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker (who commented that the English side does not seem able to score goals, unless it is from a corner or a foul kick), at the start of the week, his assistant (Wim Rijsbergen) declared on Wednesday (June 14), that skipper David Beckham is merely a commercial product, for if he really made a difference on the pitch, Real Madrid would have conquered at least one Title–which has not happened since Beckham has been in the club. Are these remarks meant at spicing up a match that, under normal circumstances, one would imagine already a huge challenge for the inexperienced Trinidad and Tobago side?!...
The English Team, in turn, may not have had much time to lend ears to the verbal challenges coming from their next opponent's side. For Beckham has been busy with some unpleasant remarks on the German and other media, whereas Sven-Göran Eriksson seems to be faced with an on-going dispute between Manchester United and the English Football Association, over the coach's wish to have Wayne Rooney on the team playing against Trinidad and Tobago, on June 15. Manchester United (Rooney's club) would understandably be putting pressure on the F.A., so Rooney be kept on the bench for England's coming match (June 15), whereas the F.A. would likewise understandably be fearing possible legal action from the club, in case they went ahead with promoting Rooney's immediate return to the team, and he suffered an injury related to his recent fracture–especially in face of what has been described asTrinidad and Tobago's physical style of soccer playing.
Togo may not be expected to be the number one squad, at the closing of this World Cup; but they had already been number one twice, during the count-down for the World cup, before winning the Miss World Cup context (see above): not only were they the first, among the 2006 World Cup squads, to play an international friendly in 2006, but also the first of the squads to arrive in Germany for the World Cup.
The closer to World Cup kickoff, it is obvious that the more relevant the friendly and practice warm-up matches become. And naturally the level of interest in these matches rises at about the same rate as time draws closer to kick off. Among the very first, in 2006, and the first in which more than just a single goal was scored, was
Tunisia's 2x0 win over
Ghana, on January 15. The two goals were scored by the squad's midfielders Soufiane Melliti (16 mins.) and Kais Ghodhbane (31 mins., penalty kick). Before this match, in 2006,
Togo had lost to Guinea (0x1) in France, on Jan. 7, then moving on to defeat
Ghana by the same 1x0 score, in Tunisia, on Jan. 11, the day before it became
Tunisia's turn to beat Lybia also by 1x0 (Jan. 12).
For a comprehensive listing of all the friendlies played in the warm-p to the World Cup, since 2006 started, see the World Cup Warm-up page.
Saudi Arabia will of course not expect a similar degree of success in their World Cup Group H matches: on Sunday (Jun-04-2006) the Saudi side played a warm-up practice match, in which they beat local amateurs Bad Nauheim 15-0. Saudi striker Sami Al Jaber scored seven goals on that match.
It is curious that a powerful squad as Brazil's, diverging from most World Cup contesting squads in 2006, has been playing warm-up matches against very week opponents–see International Friendlies-May and International Friendlies-June. Upon criticism of Brazil's chosen opponents, Brazil's Carlos Alberto Parreira reportedly remarked that a single friendly match against a National Squad, before the finals kick-off in Germany would suffice. Parreira has also been reported to say, regarding the scarcity of more challenging warm-up matches for his team, that he does not plan on the Brazilian side starting the World Cup at 100% of their performance possibilities, but to improve game by game, so that the squad will be approaching peak performance towards the end of the tournament. There will thus be a single international friendly, against New Zealand, to start getting his players geared up for the World Cup matches.
While there is logic to this thought, it seems to be fueled by Parreira's trust that Brazil should be able to make it beyond the first round. The World Cup will show how appropriate (or misleading) this approach to World Cup readying will have been. (See Records & Memorable Details, on Brazil's exit from the World Cup at the Quarter-Finals)
As far as New Zealand, whose squad has had a just single World Cup entry (1982), it should nonetheless be an interesting opponent for this Brazilian friendly, given Australia's presence in Group F (Brazil's). In the history of New Zealand x Brazil matches, New Zealand conceded victory to Brazil in both their official games: 2-0 in Mexico (1999 Confederations Cup) and 4x0 in Spain (1982 World Cup). It was thus no surprise that the Brazilian side won their friendly in 2006–see International Friendlies-June for match result and related details.
Sanctions aiming at banishing racial discrimination from the World Cup will be put to effect already in Germany. Though yet to be officially announced, the rules to be introduced will likely mean the immediate loss of three points for the Squad whose fans have indulged in whatever form of racism, according to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in an interview published by the Daily Mail, in England.
In order to combat illegal betting, as well as prevent corruption, FIFA has taken the step that every player and official to be involved in the World Cup must sign a declaration, giving his assurance that he will not participate in any World Cup related gambling, whatsoever. (A copy of this document can be downloaded from the FIFA site, in .)
A special prison for violent World Cup fans has reportedly been created in Hamburg.
Germany has planned on a disability soccer tournament for the visually impaired. It was to take place shortly before the World Cup kicked off, in the last days of May, 2006.
Though China did not qualify for the World Cup in Germany, the Chinese will be present, through a special exhibition to be held in Hamburg, on the Chinese claim that soccer originated there! The ancient Chinese game of cuju involved playing a ball with the foot. Among other rare items, the replica of a 2,300-year-old ball will be on display, in Hamburg. (For more information, follow link available on the Germany page)
In the second week of 2006, FIFA announced that the Gala event scheduled for June 7, in Berlin (Olympic Stadium) has been canceled. The reason given is that the chance of damage resulting from building the planned stage on the field, and then pulling it down on the verge of the first match at that stadium, represented too big a risk to gamble on, as the turf must be in top shape for the World Cup matches, whereas the time that would be left (to ensure that) did not seem sufficient.
FIFA has additionally announced that it will be reimbursing the tickets that had already been purchased for the 90-minute show that has now been canceled. The German World Cup organizers, in turn, are reportedly busy brainstorming on possible alternatives to replace the canceled Olympic Stadium Gala Show.
Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's Mayor, reportedly wishes to replace the canceled event with the realization of a big party, in front of the Brandeburg Gate. After all, the opportunity of organizing that (now canceled) inaugural event had been given Berlin by the World Cup Organizing Committee, as some sort of consolation prize, since the Cup's inaugural match (Germany x Costa Rica) was (and is) to be held in München.
Given what has been praised and sung about – and must thus be expected of – the World Cup ball (as well as players' boots made especially for the occasion) one might imagine that FIFA's concern with the state of the turf surface, itself, could also bear a relationship with ensuring a smooth, ideal surface on the field. On the other hand, it is easy to imagine that the show organizers (likely along with the Berlin authorities and the German W.C. organizers, themselves) could hardly be pleased with FIFA's decision. And, indeed, reports have been heard, citing specialists, that the stadium soccer field would be excellent shape just 48 hours after the party as planned – whereas the first match to be played at that stadium is to be held five days after the Gala event was to take place.
The first match to be played at Berlin's Olympic Stadium is Brazil x Croatia, on June 13, the now canceled Gala event having been scheduled for June 7.
FIFA remarked, additionally, that the above-mentioned decision has no bearing on the Opening Celebration for the 2006 World Cup, scheduled and confirmed for June 9, right before the inaugural World Cup match (Germany x Costa Rica), at Munich's brand new Stadium.
At the start of 2006, Costa Rica's manager is said to have announced that his team will play differently from the way they played in 2002 (), when they were prevented from reaching the Round of Eight only because insufficient goal difference. In 2002, the Costa Rican's second participation in the World Cup (their first in 1990), their Squad remarkably defeated China (2 x 0) and drew with Turkey (1 x 1), but lost to Brazil (2 x 5), and ended up eliminated (see , for more details & stats).
So, now their manager has reportedly remarked that no one should expect Costa Rica to play defensively, as his Squad faces Germany, Ecuador and Poland, in the First Round! Should we understand that they feel they have yet a stronger Squad for 2006? Could it mean that they will turn into one of the surprises, in 2006?... Yes, time, of course, will tell, right?!
The start of 2006 brings additional news on Costa Rica: they are said to have announced that they will be wearing the jersey of Costa Rican club Cartaginés, in place of their usual away jersey colors, this World Cup, as a way of celebrating the 100th anniversary of that Club.
According to the above, their away jersey will then display blue and white vertical stripes. Should they also wear Cartaginés short color, it will be matching the blue stripes on the jersey (see a small sample pattern of this jersey).
The Costa Rican Squad has previously engaged in a similar celebration: in the 1990 World Cup (in Italy), their players worn the jersey of Club Sport La Libertad, in the matches against both Sweden and Brazil. Club Sport La Libertad, now no longer in existence, was likewise celebrating the 100th anniversary, then.
A comment from England's coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has reportedly been overheard in Stockholm, during dinner at a restaurant, at the start of the year. The England Squad manager is supposed to have mentioned that Dutch Guus Hiddink (currently training both the Australian Squad and Netherland's PSV Eindhoven) will be his successor, as England manager.
update: This has obviously not turned out to be accurate (see above). Curiously, at approximately the same time as the above made the news, it was also reported in the British press that Luiz Felipe Scolari, 57-year old Brazilian World Cup winner (2002) had stepped in as a candidate for the job. During an interview at BBC Radio Five Live, Scolari himself is to have stated that, once his contract is over, in July 2006, he would be free, and could consider training the English Squad.
Big Phil, as Luiz Felipe Scolari is nicknamed in Brazil, has been ahead of the Portugal Squad, since he stepped down from his post as Brazilian commander. The Portuguese were runner-up in the 2004 European Championship, under Big Phil's command, who reportedly enjoys much prestige in Portugal. Interestingly, Luiz Felipe Scolari had masterminded England's defeat twice, once as Brazilian manager, the other time, coaching the Portuguese (respectively, in the 2002 World Cup, and in the Euro-2004), before repeating the dose in the 2006 World Cup Quarter-Finals. Incidentally, this last victory against England marked an outstanding World Cup record in Scolari's career (see details on the World Cup Records & Memorable Details page).
Recent news (late April), on England's BBC, now report that Luiz Felipe Scolari has actually been offered the job of England manager, having already been contacted by the Football Assocation for discussing terms (reportedly, chief executive Brian Barwickand and lawyer Simon Johnson have flown to Lisbon, to work out the deal). In other words, it sounds pretty final, though as long as no official announced has been made, the new must still be considered as part of the rumor-mill.
Could it be that, along with the steady rising of the Portuguese Squad among the FIFA affiliated nations (see 2006 Rank Update 5), the first two above-mentioned defeats of England to Scolari's teams (both in major international tournaments) have moved the Football Assocation toward believing that Scolari is their man?... After all, 's vice-president Adriano Galliani (cited on the Quotes Page) has expressed great satisfaction in hiring strikers that had previously helped defeat A.C.Milan, with their goals – the idea being that this represented a double investiment: these players, once on A.C.Milan 's side, would then no longer be able to help defeat A.C.Milan, whether or not they were among the actual 11 on the pitch, defending A.C.Milan 's colors over a match.
Following FIFA's Disciplinary Committee's Feb. 2006 meeting (which included a two-day hearing) at its Zurich headquarters:
The Penalties reported below were motivated by the anti-sporting incidents following the November 2005 Turkey x Switzerland qualifying play-off.
Turkey will have to play their next six home games behind closed doors at a neutral venue (within a minimum distance of 500 kilometres of the Turkish border) and pay all organisational costs. They have additionally been handed a fine of 200,000 Swiss Francs (approximately &€129,000, or US154,000) .
� Three players from the Turkish Team have also been handed penalties: Alpay Ozalan, Emre Belozoglu and Serkan Balci.
� The first two (currently playing at Germany's FC Cologne and England's Newcastle United, respectively), they were each suspended for six international matches and fined 15,000 Swiss Francs (approximately &€9,660, or US11,570).
� The last of these three players (Balci, currently at Istanbul's Fenerbahce) was given a two-match ban penalty and fined 5,000 Swiss Francs (approximately &€3,220, or US3,860).
� Furthermore, Turkey's assistant coach then, Mehmet Ozdilek (who has since stepped down from his post) was banned from taking part in "any football-related activity" for a whole year and was likewise fined 15,000 Swiss Francs.
On the Swiss side, Benjamin Huggel (who got involved in the sad post-match incidents) was banned by FIFA for six matches and fined the same amount of 15,000 Swiss Francs as Turkey's Ozalan and Belozoglu. Additionally, Swiss Team's physiotherapist Stephan Meyer was handed a two-match ban and fined 6,500 Swiss Francs.
For the most part, the Turkish press was furious at FIFA's sanctions. Terms such as execution and crucifixion conveyed both their astonishment and anger at the penalties handed out by FIFA. The local press additionally hinted at a biased ruling by the FIFA, in favour Switzerland, given that FIFA's President Sepp Blatter is Swiss. The Disciplinary Committee members, however, were from Jamaica, Honduras, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bahrain (heading the Committee), and Sweden (the Scandinavian constituting sole European in the group that issued the verdicts).
The Swiss press, on the other hand, condemned FIFA for having acted too leniently, regarding the penalties given the Turks. In addition, the Swiss press was revolted at FIFA's handing no penalty whatsoever to Turkish coach Fatih Terim, whom the Swiss press holds accountable for having incited the sad scenes above referred to. (There seems to be some evidence, in the local Turkish press, suggesting that Terim would have both provoked tensions ahead of the match and encouraged his players to attack the Swiss, instead of attempting at calming them down, as the fighting broke out. FIFA, however, states that they have no evidence of facts that could indicate disciplinary misconduct.)
Although both Turkey and Switzerland have the right to appeal before FIFA's appeals committee, and, further, before the international Court of Arbitration in Sports, it seems unlikely that the above reported verdicts will be contested–although Turkish football officials have reportedly been discussing the possibility of appealing. Should it happen, an updating note will appear here.
FIFA has announced that a 2006 World Cup official song has been selected. The song will be included in a World Cup record, to be available for purchase from May 12, 2006, on. "Voices," what this World Cup record is to be called, will reportedly comprise a collection of chart toppers and international stars, most of whom are said to have a connection of some sort with soccer. Among these, Eros Ramazzotti, Youssou N'Dour, Shakira, and Julio Iglesias have been cited.
The chosen World Cup song is Il Divo's Time of Our Lives. The vocal quartet (who claim on-line that they have made opera popular to the masses) will be performing the World Cup's song at Allianz Arena, before the opening match (Germany x Costa Rica), on June 9.
At the same time, a World Cup official anthem has also been on the news: it is entitled Celebrate the Day, and will be sung in several languages by German performer Herbert Groenemeyer.
Incidentally, for the 2002 Korea⁄Japan World Cup, the chosen official song was Boom, by Anastacia.
Wonder why songs are not written especially for the World Cups, even if commercial interests should remain the main motivating factor...
FIFA and the German government have reportedly joined hands for a campaign to encourage spectators not to smoke at the German World Cup finals, even though the no smoking plans are not to be enforced by the police. The success of the campaign will thus ultimately depend on the willingly participation of spectators.
Will smokers take to biting their nails if their team is losing the match?...
More may be added, anytime! Stay tuned.
Abbreviations, above: used by FIFA, as well as in this eBook.
Numbers 1-4, above, correspond to the numbering used for the Groups drawing,
in Leipzig (2005), number one being the seed.squad, in each Group.
2006
World Cup
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