Berlin — Allianz Arena: This is the name of the Munich's magnificent stadium, venue of the openinig ceremony of the 2006 World Cup and the Germany-Costa Rica game which Germany won 4-2. The stadium was built by two clubs, Bayern Munich and Munich 1860. The two clubs each funded half the cost of the construction of this 60,000 capacity showpiece.
German unification: 32 years ago in 1974, the Federal Republic of Germany faced the Democratic Republic of Germany. The latter beat the future world champions 1-0. Three decades later, the two unified countries met Costa Rica in a World Cup match and won 4-2.
Germany, second power in the world: Not in military terms but rather as regards soccer, after Brazil. It has been in 7 finals and won 3, second to Brazil (5 wins).
Underground preparation: Due to the opening ceremony, the two teams playing the opening game warmed up in the spacious dressing rooms of the magnificent Munich stadium.
Claudia Schiffer: the top German model, once labeled the most beautiful woman in the world had the honor of accompanying Pélé in presenting the trophy to the public.
The former Fanta model is undoubtedly one of the most appreciated German celebrities in the world.
The World Cup, a precious object: With the exception of the winners and Heads of State, no one has the right to touch the World Cup Trophy. This precious object is always accompanied by bodyguards when it goes round countries who qualified for the World Cup.
171: This was the number of former winners who responded to Fifa's invitation, out of a total of 200. They represented the 7 coutries who had previously won the cup. Thus from the French 1998 squad, Lizarazu, Dessaily, Blanc, Boghossain, Lama and Karembeu were present. Soccer fans were thus able to see again greats like Bobby Robson, Pele, Rai, Leonardo, Kempès, Breitner, whose talents made an impression at the World Cup.
Africa's presence: During the opening ceremony, the celebrated blind couple form Mali, Amadou and Mariam pared with a German singer to sing "celebrate the day".
They succeeded in moving the warm Munich public with their music, showing why they have sold more than 500 thousand copies of their album "Un Dimanche à Bamako".
Oliver Kahn: The Bayern Munich keeper was praised by the entire German media, as with dignity, he philosophically accepted his new role as the national team's substitute keeper. He is featured in an advertisement holding a glass of beer and saying "it feels good sitting on the bench".
The battle of goalies which France barely avoided will not happen among the Germans.
Wiltord's phobia: It seems Sylvain Wiltord, the national team attacker who plays with Lyon, has a fear of journalists. He is known not to talk to journalists but not to the point of beating a retreat once facing journalists at a press conference. This is precisely what he did during the last press conference by the French team when he was selected to address journists together with Makelele, Mavuba and Abidal.
Auction: A replica of the World Cup Trophy will be auctioned by a former Fifa official who received it as a parting gift when leaving Fifa. The move has generated great controversy, since the replica of the trophy is meant for only the champions. The estimated auction value of the trophy is put at 1 million euros.
Senegalese referee: Senegal was honored in the Australia-Japan match, as one of the linesman was Mamadou Ndoye from Senegal. He was assisting the main referee, Abd El Fatah Essam from Egypt. Mr Ndoye has twice officiated in games involving the Senegalese national team.
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All tests prove negative: Fifa's medical official has said that since the beginning of the World Cup, unannounced testing has been conducted on 24 players using 96 samples, and all have proved negative. It was the same with 128 samples taken from team sites. All samples are taken to two laboratories in Cologne and Kreischa.
Mama Togo is present: Mama Togo is the most famous of the Togolese supporters and her picture has gone round the world. She is even believed to be in possession of the team's good luck charm. She led supporters to demonstrate in front of the German embassy in Togo. She obviously obtained a visa at the last minute to follow her "children" at the World Cup.
