World Cup Countdown

[3rdTR00P]

http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?i...untdown2su.swf

[lamise]

Not long now. The curse of he metatarsal strikes England again...

[TonyStarks]

When did it strike before ?

[Al-khiyal]

Ghazi Mahmood

GERMANS have a reputation for efficiency and ingenuity.

But Ghazi Mahmood has taken the stereotype to a new level.

So football-mad is the Munich taxi driver, he is fitting his fleet of 10 cabs with digital TVs and beer-laden ice boxes.

An avid fan of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, Mahmood says lateral thinking is required – "or I will miss the whole World Cup. It is all everybody talks about," he said. "I have to make sure we have all the games because this World Cup is going to be very big."

Munich's taxis can expect an avalanche of business. Drivers fear missing games, but are intent on keeping fans happy. "If passengers are late for a game or the roads have too many cars and traffic, they know they can relax and not miss anything," Mahmood said.

"They can have beer, sit back and enjoy. No problem."

Mahmood knows of at least two rival cab firms who have similar plans to indulge their customers. But he claims to be the first to have come up with the idea.

He will attach the screen above the dashboard on the passenger side, with the connection via a digital aerial jutting from the car's roof.

So much trouble for the sake of a few weeks of football, one might think.

But given the hours Mahmood plans to work, such drastic measures are seen as a necessity.

The Algerian-born Mahmood, who speaks in measured if not fluent English, will be working 20 hours each day to maximise profits.

He has already told his wife and children they will barely see him during the tournament. He expects daily takings to at least triple, and anticipates Australians to be among his most regular customers.

"I think many Australian will come here," Mahmood said.

"They ride in my taxi all the time and always ask where to go for party.

"When I pick them up from airport, they ask me to take them to beer halls even before going to hotel."

It is with these Australians in mind that Mahmood has invested in 10 Kuhlsranks – better known to Aussies as Eskies – brimming with ice and beer.

How much beer will he need?

"I think a lot," Mahmood said. "Especially if it is hot and Australia are playing.

"But it will all be under control. No problem."

And what happens if he runs out of beer or ice?

"I have boxes of beer at home and big freezer with ice!"

Maybe his family will be seeing more of Mahmood than they think.

Taxi! Mad fan hoping to flag down winner

[Al-khiyal]

BERLIN, May 18 (Reuters) Germany pledged today to take a tough stance against xenophobia at next month's soccer World Cup and dismissed a warning that black fans risked attacks in some parts of the country.

''I think during the world championship everyone can feel safe, wherever he will be in Germany. We are prepared,'' Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told reporters.

''No one who would try make attacks on foreigners, people of colour, will succeed.'' He was speaking a day after a former government spokesman said non-whites should avoid parts of Brandenburg, the former east German state surrounding Berlin, because ''they would possibly not leave there alive.....''

More.....

[Al-khiyal]

BERLIN, May 22 -- German authorities are growing concerned that neo-Nazis and other racist groups could disrupt soccer's World Cup next month and are struggling to contain a surge in violent attacks on dark-skinned victims, including a Turkish-born lawmaker who was assaulted over the weekend in the capital.

Government leaders have reassured foreign guests that they will be secure during the month long World Cup, which starts June 9. But such promises have been undercut by two recent high-profile attacks and plans by neo-Nazi groups to hold demonstrations during the tournament.

On Monday, the mood darkened further when the government released a report by its domestic intelligence service showing that the number of violent acts committed by right-wing extremists increased by 24 percent last year. Membership in neo-Nazi groups also rose, from an estimated 3,800 to 4,100, according to the report......

Violence in Germany surges ahead of World Cup

[ElHenni]

When did it strike before ?

Beckham had the same injury and its the injury Rooney had in the last Euro Championships...