World Cup briefs on June 21

BERLIN, June 21, 2006 (AFP/GNA) - AFP World Cup briefs on Wednesday:

Consular moveable feast

Brazil have put in place a movable consular service to accompany their thousands of fans as they travel around Germany. In leaflets distributed to supporters, the Brazilian authorities explain under what circumstances they can get involved should any fans meet with any difficulty. Among the "can't do" items are "lending money, make hotel or car reservations, organise trips or look after luggage." (AFP)

MPs in hurry to catch the match

German members of parliament kept their speeches remarkably short during a budget debate on Tuesday ahead of the host nation's match against Ecuador. "I note, dear colleagues, an unusual display of discipline in sticking to speaking times. I cannot remember this ever happening in a budget debate," Bundestag president Norbert Lammert joked. "I suspect there is a good reason for this!" (AFP)

Ton up for Cocu, record for Edwin


Dutch star Phillip Cocu will be a centurion if he faces Argentina in their final Group C match as he stood to win his 100th cap for the Oranje. Keeper Edwin van der Sar was also due to celebrate as he was to win his 12th cap, levelling the Dutch record of Franck de Boer. By coincidence, Cocu and Van der Sar were born the same day, October 29, 1970. (AFP)


Sing up - and play the game


Argentina prefer to stay mute but the Mexicans and even the English sing with gusto. Statistics collectors Information Builders say none of the Argentines sang their national hymn pitchside ahead of their matches with Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro.


Serbia and Montenegro didn't sing up much either - perhaps not surprisingly as the Montenegrins have voted to split from the Serbians. The South Koreans and the Tunisians were other sides with not much visible desire to sing up, according to Information Builders, whereas the Mexicans, the English, the Italians, the Spanish and the players of Ecuador, Angola, Costa Rica, Brazil and Saudi Arabia all gave their tonsils an airing. (AFP)

Superstitious


Footballers are as superstitious as ever, be it putting one boot on before the other or going out last onto the pitch. Spanish coach Luis Aragones can't abide yellow - not even flowers, while Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo likes to wear black. Raul is one of several players who kisses his wedding ring on scoring and Argentina's Juan Roman Riquelme wears a medallion given him by daughter Florencia.


Some allegations of superstition have created some ill-feeling. Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves had to deny that his team was into black magic.


"Portuguese TV said we had brought a witch doctor. I think that shows a lack of respect. We work scientifically and our coaches go to the same training schools as those who work in Europe," insisted Goncalves. (AFP)

Eusebio boost for Portugal

Portugal's World Cup campaign has been given a boost by the presence of legendary striker Eusebio, who scored nine goals during their best ever tournament in 1966. "We have Eusebio with us. He was the main guy from the 1966 World Cup and he also helps us to give confidence and trust to the players to get on with it and do the best they can in the next round," said coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Eusebio's goals led Portugal to the 1966 semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions England.