Inside the FIFA World Cup

2006-07-09T12:50:00.000+02:00

Azzurri vs. Les Bleus
FYI, those are nicknames for Italy vs. France, they refer to the blue colors of their jerseys.

Well here we are in Berlin on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The Germans are honoring their third-place team on the Fan Mile near the Brandenburg Gate as I write this. Ballack, Klinsman, Klose, Kahn and the whole side is getting raucous cheers from the huge crowd gathered there. (I'm watching all this on TV right now)

But on to the fun. I have a ticket to be in the Olympiastadion tonight to see Italy take on France for the right to hoist the FIFA World Cup Trophy. There will be only about 72,000 of us there, but more than 1 billion people are expected to watch tonight's match. It far eclipses anything else. Here is a ranking of the most-watched sporting events of recent years to give you an idea:

1.3 billion -- 2006 FIFA World Cup (expected viewers today)
153 million -- 2004 Euro Championship (Greece beats Portugal)
127 million -- 2004 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony -- Athens, Greece
95 million -- 2006 Super Bowl

Makes you realize that the Super Bowl is really just a small sporting event in the big picture. Look for me in the stands.

Can't believe this whole project is coming to an end. It's been fun. But I also can't wait to be in Greece later this week and be reunited with my wife. Eleni - See you the day after tomorrow!

Love to everyone from Berlin.

2006-07-07T11:29:00.000+02:00

Berliner Mauer

Spending a few weeks in Berlin you can't help but at some point see the historical reminents of the Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer). Hard to believe that up until 1989 the German Democratic Republic, the communist portion of Germany, maintained this boarder to keep its people from fleeing the dismal command economy of the communists to seek a better life in the West.

I was in college at the time and vividly remember the whole collapse very well. What is fascinating today is that I'm working with a couple of people who grew up in the GDR (East Germany) and were on the other side of the Wall when it fell. They talk about the shock and disbelief that they had at the opening of the boarder and the amazement at seeing West Berlin for the first time in their lives.

2006-07-06T11:39:00.000+02:00

Around Town

Took some much needed time off yesterday and wandered around Berlin a bit. The city is much calmer now that Germany has been eliminated from the tournament. It is too bad that we don't see as many German flags and celebrations around town. But there are still plenty of Italians and French who will be cheering on their teams for the final.

Here are some sites around the city. At the Brandenburg Gate, there is now a giant soccer ball. That is my lunch -- beer and a currwurst. And a poster for next weekend's Love Parade, still going strong.

2006-07-03T14:35:00.000+02:00

adidas World of Football

Even though Coca-Cola is a top sponsor of FIFA World Cup Germany, there is no doubt that sports gear producer adidas has the most high-profile presence. They have constructed a 1/3 scale replica of the Berlin Olympiastadion on a 40,000 sq meter area in an open park just opposite the Reichstag (Germany's parliament building).

Surrounding this stadium (which seats 8,000) are fields where kids can play football, an adidas store, oversize replicas of all the official match balls (which adidas has provided since the 1970 FIFA World Cup), an interactive area in which you can appear in an adidas TV commercial, a biergarten and, of course, a McDonald's.

We watched France beat Brazil at this "stadium" and had a good time.

2006-07-01T14:32:00.000+02:00

Jubilent Germany

I had the great fortune to be at the Olympiastadion last night to witness the home team’s victory over Argentina. First of all, my camera batteries died so I have no photos to share with you. The story will have to suffice.

The Olympiastadion itself is steeped in history. It was completed in 1936 for the infamous Games of the XI Olympiad which were managed during the Nazi rule in Germany. It was here that 110,000 people watched Jesse Owens win four gold medals, after which Adolf Hitler refused to shake his hand because he was black.

It is a handsome arena (very German) and a great place to watch football. Our seats were ridiculously close to the field (row 13 from the pitch). It was the first time that I could easily recognize players faces and see their intricate footwork up close.

The match lived up to expectations with a 1:1 tie during regulation. Roberto Ayala put in a header just at the beginning of the second half. Then it looked like Argentinia went into a defensive position to hold the lead. But Klose put the equalizer into the net at the 80th minute and the stadium erupted. Chants of “Deustchland, Deustschland” were deafening.

The die-hard Argentineans held out hope. But the home field advantage added to the momentum and no further scoring was to be seen. So we went into a penalty shootout. If you haven’t seen this, watch more Univision because it is a spectacle. The teams line up and take alternating shoots on the goal. Just one goalie and one player from the other team. This put everyone on the edge of their seats. The Germans, including star player Michael Ballack, netted four goals to only two for the South Americans. At the final save, the stadium turned into a giant party. Dancing in the stands and celebration on the field.

A victory at this level of competition can do wonders for the self-esteem of an entire country. Just ask any Greek following the 2004 Euro. I took the subway downtown and wandered around the fan park and Brandenburg Gate just to savor the celebration myself. Flags flying, people chanting and high-fiving strangers.

It is a great atmosphere here now in Germany with the home team doing so well. I’m glad to be a part of the celebration.

2006-06-30T12:14:00.000+02:00

Media Relations

A big part of my job is working with journalists. Basically this means getting positive stories about Coca-Cola and specifically in regards to the company’s sponsorship of FIFA World Cup.

One way we do this is by having a “booth” at the Berlin Media Center. This is where all the accredited journalists work. It has been fun today talking to all the Argentine journalists that have descended here to cover the match against Germany.

2006-06-30T12:04:00.000+02:00

More photos at the Media Center

2006-06-29T14:30:00.000+02:00

Scalpers

This guy offered me 800 Euro for my ticket to the match. Face value was 120 euro. These fans are keen to see a game and the entrepreneurs are out in force.

And look for me at tomorow's quarter-final Germany vs. Argentina in the Berlin Olympiastadion. Should be great.

2006-06-28T03:40:00.000+02:00

Show Your Colors

A big part of being a football fan is to show your support by wearing the colors of your team. Sure you could just wear say, green, white and red to support Mexico. But why stop there? How bout a team jersey? Or a team scarf? And you must carry around the national flag. Paint your face, blow into a noisemaker, shave designs into your hair or get a tatto.

OK, maybee just a shirt...

2006-06-27T10:05:00.000+02:00

Food and Drink

Yes, there is plenty of bratwurst, hefe weissen and frankfurters... But paella? The large crowds and party atmosphere in the central areas of downtowns and near stadiums attracts a slew of independent vendor food stalls. There is a multi-cultural variety in the food selections. But it is tough to beet a brat and bier.

2006-06-23T18:27:00.000+02:00

Real Football Fans

Time to take another break and head down to Frankfurt for the Argentina vs. Netherlands match. I now understand why a 0:0 score can actually provide some great drama. These are two storied national teams. Argentina is a perennial contender, having qualified for 14 World Cups and taken home the trophy twice. And, of course, is the home of Diego Maradona, who is second only to Pele in the pantheon of soccer legands. (By the way, Maradona was at the match, as evidenced by appearance on the four-screen jumbotron suspended above the pitch).

Holland isn't too bad either. They've never won but they made it to the final twice, coming up short both times. But their fans are among the best. Especially since most were decked out in day-glo orange. This is apparently from William of Orange who was a founding father of the country. Regardless of history they look a bit silly. Like hunters without shotguns.

Both fans cheered on their teams with gusto. The Dutch had some typical chants. But the Argentines have an elaborate chant that includes lots of "Ole, ole, ole, ole"s a few references to Argentina and some other Spanish. Couldn't understand the language, but the emotion was clear.

The fans took turns with the chants. At one point late in this nil-nil contest, the German fans started a "Deutschland, Deutschland!" chant. (Lots of Germans everywhere). And at the end everyone celebrated as though their team had one.

This is a totally different approach to a game. No winner. No loser. Just a celebration of sport and the athleticism of the participants. I can't imagine an American football fangetting excited about a zero-zero game. But having been to this game, I have a new respect for the "beautiful game."

2006-06-23T18:05:00.000+02:00

The Argentines start their kids rooting for the home team pretty young.

2006-06-21T09:28:00.000+02:00

Yes, I am Working

It's not all play and going to watch football. I'm managing media relations at the Coca-Cola Football Camp. That means I work to get journalists to cover the program we are running here. As a main sponsor of FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola gets to select kids to carry the flags of each nation playing in a match. These kids walk onto the field right before the game begins and hold the national flag while the anthems of each nation are played.

While in Germany, the kids from 27 nations are housed in the football camp and part of their activities include spending a day at a football clinic. Journalists are interested in this kind of thing and I've hosted media from Turkey, Czech Republic, Thailand, England, Sweden and Mexico. I'm expecting some guys from China today.

2006-06-20T17:42:00.000+02:00

Pele undt Petro

No telling who you'll run into over here in Germany. Here I am with Pele. Just a sponsor promotion (MasterCard), but clever. Actually Pele is on TV every night giving commentary. Seems to have taken over the title of most recognized man in the world from Ali. We are also seeing a lot of Maradona. And plenty of German footballers also.

2006-06-18T11:54:00.000+02:00

Koln

While many of you may have been interested in the U.S. vs. Italy match last night, I was in Cologne for a showdown between Czech Republic and the "Black Stars" of Ghana. Mostly though I was there to entertain a producer from one of the biggest TV stations in Germany, RTL. As Andreas, the producer, is from a town very close to Koln, I had a tour of the central city before we went to the match.

We had a look at the Kolner Dom, a beautiful Gothic-style cathedral whose construction began in the 1200's and was completed in 1880. It houses the relecis of the three wise men (Magi). Then we walked thorugh the downtown area. All relatively new construction as this city was completely destroyed in WWII.

We stopped by a local brewery to try a Kolsch beer. It is the traditional beer of the city. It is clear beer with a light hoppiness to it. And it is served in long, thin glasses that hold only about 10 ounces. Apparently only brewerys with a view of the Kolner Cathedral can call their beer kolsch. We stood at a bar table that we shared with Greek-speaking Argentinians. (Yes it is a very small world). The bar waiters don't even ask if you want another beer. As soon as you are finished they will bring you a fresh one until you ask them to quit.

We did make it over to the match and had a good time celebrating afterwards. Everyone was temporarily a fan of Ghana, as it was a great underdog victory. Photos posted below.

2006-06-18T11:35:00.000+02:00

Czechian Greek

So I'm watching the match and out of the corner of my eye I see a fan waiving a flag, which is not uncomon. What was different was that this was a Greek flag. Now, Greece did not qualify for the World Cup (in fact they have never made an appearance). But here was a fan dressed all in Czech colors waving a Greek flag at a football match in Koln, only two rows in front of me.

Naturally at halftime, I went down there and chatted. He is Dimitri, from Athens, but his wife is Czech. His explination was that he thought he could get on TV with this unusual combination of support.

2006-06-18T11:04:00.000+02:00

The Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom). Beautiful church.

2006-06-18T10:41:00.000+02:00

Another great day for World Cup football in Cologne. This is Czech Rep vs. Ghana

View from our seats

The crowd were mostly Czech fans, but there were a surprising number of people from Ghana.

2006-06-18T10:38:00.000+02:00

On the way to the match with a TV producer and now a friend, Andreas. It was a great sunny day in Koln, perfect for some World Cup football.

2006-06-18T10:35:00.000+02:00

Ghanans dancing to the beat of their own drummers before the match in Cologne. There were quite a lot of supporters of this good African team. And they surprised everyone with a shock victory over the Czechs.

2006-06-17T08:14:00.000+02:00

Train Travel

My current home base in Germany is Kirchheim, a sleepy village in the heart of the country close to Frankfurt. But well chosen for it is an easy train ride to all 12 host cities where the World Cup matches are held. And while we have a car&driver, my growing preference is to travel by rail.

It is really too bad that the US doesn't have such a system. Just walking into a major train station gets your heart pumping. The bustle of activity, vendors selling pastries and coffee, the newstand with all the European papers, all types of people coming and going -- business men, backpackers, tourists.

It puts going through a major US airport to shame. No check-in, no long security lines, nobody asks you to take off your shoes, no boardng passes. And then you find your platform and board your train where you can work, sleep, read or just pass the time watching the countryside go by. You can talk on your mobile phone whenever you want. They don't force bad food or movies on you. If you feel like a cup of coffee you walk down a few cars and take a seat at the dining car. Oh, and you can set your watch by departure and arrival times. I flew 60K+ miles on US airlines last year and I don't think I had a single on-time departure.

2006-06-16T10:40:00.000+02:00

Fan of the Day

Much like the Olympics, spectators and even fans without tickets are keen to support their home country by displaying their patriotic colors. They paint faces, wear country flags draped over their backs and other crazy stuff. My colleagues were at a match in Nuremberg last night where England took on Trinadad&Tobago. They said the Trinidadians were running about with drums, tambourines and horns for their celebrations.

I took the picture here of German fans at a train station in Munich. Gota love the spirit.

2006-06-15T11:19:00.000+02:00

Tip of the Day

To add some excitement to our days here and enhance the thrill of watching the WC, we have a staff football pool going. Everyone has put in their picks for winners and score of the first 32 matches of the "Group Play" round. One point for picking the winner and two additional points if you pick the right score. Right now one of our drivers, Nicky, is leading. I'm in fourth place.

Was thinking that if people in the US were as passionate about football as the rest of the world, Vegas would be netting a few more billion dollars every year.

Oh, and they don't call them picks. Instead everyone says "what is your tip?". My tips today are Ecuador vs. Costa Rica 1:0, England vs. Trinidad & Tobago 1:0 and Seden vs. Paraguay 1:2. (There is also a different way of writing football scores)

Either way, my tip is watch some football if you can.

2006-06-14T10:56:00.000+02:00

Habla Futbol?

Can't tell if these guys are legal, but you have to admire the sombreros. This is at the Frankfurt train station.

2006-06-14T10:22:00.000+02:00

Watching the FIFA World Cup

We are now are going on day six of the World Cup and it seems that all of Germany is falling into a pace of life that is dictated by the airing of WC matches. Since the double header on opening day, there have been three matches per day. The first at 3:00 p.m. when people start to take a break from work to sample some of the action while they continue to do other things. It might be a light match like Angola vs Portugal. By 6:00 p.m. everyone is in full swing for the second match and the viewing starts in earnest. Then the nightcap is usually a great match. For example I’m watching the great Rolandihnio playing for Brasil against Croatia now on a game that kicked off at 9 p.m..

By my count there have been 15 matches so far and I’ve been to one in person and have watched at least part of 13 other games. I guess I’ve caught the fever.

Whoa, what’s this? A Croation fan just ran onto the pitch. Complete with painted face and starts kissig the feet of a player on his national team. I’m not joking. And now Croation fans in their red and white checkerboard shirts are lighting flares in the stands. This is making the Oakland Raiders games look like a break on the Mr. Rogers show.

What are you watching?