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World Cup 2006 Blog

From our reporters in Germany

You’re all doing terribly well

paul_armstrong_55x55.gifMUNICH: An astonishing 8.8m people watched the penalty shoot-out climax of on Monday night.

It’s difficult to calculate how many of those were waiting for the News but, if they were, it was good of them to stay tuned and thereby swell our viewing figures.

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Don't write them off......

nigel_adderley.gifOLYMPIC STADIUM, BERLIN - Michael Ballack wasn't at training which caused a brief flutter of excitment amongst those of us at the German training ground next door to where they hope to win the World Cup on July 9th.

When Miroslav Klose falied to show as well it became a major news event until the German Football Federation's (DFB) highly efficient media staff nipped any talk of a selection crisis in the bud with a quick bulletin on their fitness which was quickly gobbled up by the half-dozen or so TV stations taking Robert Huth sweating profusely live.

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England montage reprise

paul_atherton.gifIBC, MUNICH - Last week producer Sarah Williams asked for your suggestions for music to accompany an England montage. Here she explains what she chose and why.

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The Germans' taste in music

MartinHANNOVER - We haven’t really discovered a theme tune for this World Cup while driving Svan up and down the autobahn, possibly because while one of us drives the other is often in the back working.

My introduction of Nena’s – the original German version – on the stereo yesterday was just met with bemusement from Fletch, so I think it’s a non-starter.

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How ´óÏó´«Ã½ & ITV will split quarter-finals

LONDON - The ´óÏó´«Ã½ and ITV have agreed the division of games for the quarter finals. The games will be shown on TV in the UK as follows:

Friday 30 June
Germany v Argentina 1600 BST ko. ITV
Italy v Ukraine 2000 BST ko. ´óÏó´«Ã½

Saturday 1 July
England v Portugal 1600 BST ko ´óÏó´«Ã½
Brazil or Ghana v Spain or France 2000 BST ko ITV

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ games will also be streamed on broadband (UK only).
If England reach the semi-final stage, both ´óÏó´«Ã½ and ITV will show the game live, with ITV showing the remaining semi-final exclusively.
If England do not reach the semi-final stage, ITV will have first pick of the semi-final games, with ´óÏó´«Ã½ broadcasting the other match.
Both broadcasters will show the World Cup final live.
All games will be on Five Live, with the commentary streamed on this website (UK only)

Brazil v Ghana - on the mike

LONDON - The may not seem to have much of a chance against Brazil (odds = 10-1).

But it's a more even contest in the music stakes - . The Ghanaians certainly . Our production manager Kofi was born - and whipped a bongo out from under his desk for a spot of drumming after qualification was secure.

Spain ready to deliver?

paul_fletcher.gif HANNOVER - Spain have a well-earned at major tournaments - but here at an overcast Hannover both players and supporters are confident of this evening.

Last night I went to watch Spain's final training session before their second-round match and Luis Aragones' squad looked focused and relaxed.

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My soul is crumbling

claire_stocks2.gifLONDON - "My soul is crumbling," was how one Australian described on Radio Five Live.
To some England fans who have suffered decades of heartbreak, often also at the hand of perceived , or penalties, or both, it may seem sweet justice that their Antipodean cousins get to drink from the same sour-tasting cup so early in their fledgling foray into football.
But , don't you. Don't you..?

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