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Last Updated: Oct 24th, 2006 - 17:24:11 |
More than 42,000 fans turned out Wednesday to watch an open practice of the German team nine days before it kicks off the World Cup.
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| Germany's soccer team coach Juergen Klinsmann, right, signs autographs after a practice at the LTU Arena stadium in Duesseldorf, western Germany, Wednesday May 31, 2006. Germany will play in Group A against Poland, Costa Rica and Ecuador. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) |
It was the biggest crowd ever to watch a German practice in the country.
Juergen Klinsmann's team worked out at Duesseldorf's LTU Arena. The roof was closed because of cold and rainy weather. The fans were treated to a free scrimmage at the end of the session.
Germany played to a 2-2 tie against Japan on Tuesday and plays Colombia on Friday in Moenchengladbach, its final test before opening the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.
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KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian government asked employers to adjust the workday on June 14 so that Ukrainians can watch their national soccer team make its debut in the World Cup.
"On June 14 at 4 p.m., we expect an epidemic of unexplained illnesses to appear in Ukraine," Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Wednesday.
Ukraine's appearance in the World Cup is a source of pride for the ex-Soviet republic, whose team is led by AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko — one of the world's top strikers. Much of the country's 47 million population is expected to watch a TV broadcast of the team's opening game.
Yekhanurov, noting that the game starts near the end of the working day, said the government recommended employers start the day earlier or bring in televisions and allow a break.
"I want to say this so that all our players know that the government and all of the people will be supporting you," Yekhanurov said at a cabinet session.
Ukraine is playing in Group H, which also includes Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Shevchenko, who hurt a knee May 7, isn't playing in the warmups but is expected to recover in time for the opener against Spain.
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WEGGIS, Switzerland (AP) — Brazil dropped FC Barcelona midfielder Edmilson from its World Cup squad on Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Sao Paulo midfielder Mineiro will replace Edmilson, who had pain in his right knee since Brazil's second practice in the lakeside resort town of Weggis.
Tests showed he would not be able to recover in time to play in the World Cup, Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco said at a news conference.
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BERLIN (AP) — FIFA and Germany plan an anti-racism action before the start of the World Cup quarterfinal matches.
The quarterfinals will be played on June 30 and July 1. The captains of the teams that reach that stage of the soccer tournament will make a plea in the stadiums under the motto "Say no to racism."
In Europe, some dark-skinned players have been subjected to racial taunts during matches for their clubs, even at the first-division level.
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BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) — Serbia-Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic has defended his decision to call up his son to the World Cup squad despite widespread criticism.
Dusan Petkovic, 32, was called as a replacement for injured striker Mirko Vucinic. The central defender has not had an impact in the national team and did not take part in World Cup qualification.
"We need a central defender who can also play as a left back," Petkovic said late Tuesday from the team's preparation camp in Austria. "Dusan is the right player for both positions."
Belgrade media and officials called Petkovic's decision a "scandal" and "an own goal."
Serbia-Montenegro is in Group C with Argentina, the Netherlands and Ivory Coast. It opens its World Cup campaign against the Dutch on June 11.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi officials have been upbeat about the team's preparations ahead of the World Cup, insisting that several warmup matches and training camps were beneficial.
"I'm very happy with the preparations and the players have reached a high standard technically," said Saudi Arabia coach Marcos Paqueta, a Brazilian.
Despite the upbeat comments, the Greens have won only one of the nine international exhibition matches they've played since the beginning of the year — losing five and tying three.
The head of the Saudi Soccer Federation, Prince Sultan bin Fahd, said Tuesday that Paqueta would remain in charge for the next two years, regardless of the team's results in the World Cup.
The federation leader said the disappointing campaign at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan, when Saudi Arabia failed to score a single goal and was routed 8-0 by Germany, would not be repeated.
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