Chinese Character - It's kick off time!

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It's kick off time!
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-09 09:12




In the coming four weeks, people around the world will be divided into
two groups: those who love the FIFA World Cup and those who just hate it.

Tonight, host country Germany plays Costa Rica presenting the first
banquet for soccer fans. With the intensive and exciting late-night game
schedule, offices are expected to be filled with drowsy soccer fans.

Shanghai's soccer fans definitely have a plan.

"As China is not among the qualifying teams, I'm not going to be as
excited as I was in 2002 (when China qualified for the event for the
first time)," says Xu Feng, president of the fan club for Shanghai
Shenhua.

China's absence from the event, however, means fans such as Xu can now
simply appreciate all the teams in the tournament.

"I will watch at home during the weekdays," says Xu, adding that the
timing is not that bad as the first game starts at 9pm, followed by two
more at midnight and very early morning. "If there is a very important
game, I don't mind staying up late.

"At weekends, I'll watch the games in bars with other fans as there will
be an electric atmosphere."

Xu also suggests watching the games in restaurants.

"There are restaurants that have big screens in every district. You can
watch and eat. For bars, the atmosphere will be excellent in Paulaner
Brauhaus on Fenyang Road," says Xu, who likes watching the game with a
big glass of fresh beer in his hand.

Expats in the city will also be joining the celebrations.

"It's a tradition to watch games in bars in England," says Steve Moonan,
a teacher from England living in Shanghai. "Sometimes we watch the big
games at home with our friends and family, perhaps with a few beers."

Moonan who, no doubt, supports his own country, says he will go to Big
Bamboo and Windows to enjoy the games.

Severino Vassani, an Italian chef working in the city, also selects bars
as his venue of choice for watching the games.

"I'd like to watch the matches in English and Irish bars. It's more
attractive and people get really passionate in places such as
O'Malley's," says Vassani.

In Italy, Vassani continues, he used to meet everybody and watch the game
together.

"Back home, I used to go to my friend's home and get 10 or 15 people
together. We enjoy eating and drinking before the game, then we all
concentrate on the game," he says.

Yoris Vanzieleghem, a Belgian who speaks fluent Chinese and works in a
local five-star hotel, says he is not an enthusiastic soccer fan and as
Belgium is not participating in this World Cup, he might not watch it at
all.

"If Belgium were participating, I'd be very patriotic and watch all their
games. If the Netherlands reach the semi-finals, I guess I will watch it
in one of the city's many excellent bars," says Vanzieleghem.

Monica Chen is also not a soccer fan, but she still plans to watch some
matches in bars.

"I just want to join the crowd to experience the atmosphere. I don't care
very much about the results of the matches," says Chen. "I will not watch
many matches because I will have to work the next morning."

Unlike the host country German and other European or South American
countries, Shanghai will have a few sleepless weeks meaning more than
usual money for the bars and restaurants, but also a good topic for
residents to chat about.

So, if you're a soccer fan, tonight you will be planted in front of a TV;
and if you really hate soccer, try hard to find a quiet corner, and
ladies, don't even think about disturbing your husbands or boyfriends.

CCTV-1, CCTV-5 will live broadcast the opening match between Germany and
Costa Rica at 11:50pm tonight.
















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