<p>German soccer fans exploded in jubilation Friday after their team beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the opening match of the World Cup, waving black-red-gold flags and singing: "We will be world champions." </p><p>After weeks of detailed preparation, intense worry over security measures and efforts to make sure visitors felt welcome, the victory lifted spirits and raised hopes that the long anticipated tournament will bring the country international praise and economic gain _ trophy or no. </p><p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="5" align="center" bgcolor="#000000" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"><img alt="" hspace="0" src="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-06/10/xin_570603101019054720516.jpg" align="baseline" border="1"/><br/><font face="Arial" size="2">A German supporter celebrates the third goal of the German national soccer team in their opening match of the soccer World Cup against Costa Rica as they watch the match on a huge tv screen at a so-called 'fan festival' in Munich, June 9, 2006.[Reuters]</font></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>In Munich's Hofbraeukeller beer garden, hundreds of fans packed the long wooden benches under a canopy of leafy chestnut trees. As the final whistle blew, the green of the trees disappeared behind a sea of waving German flags. </p><p>"That is a beautiful memory," said Torsten Hoentsch with a sigh, gazing over the cheering crowd. </p><p>Stefan Bannach, 22, from Ingolstadt, loved the high-scoring game: "I like the offensive football that we are playing now. If we keep it up, I think we can make it to the final." </p><p>Across the country, in private parties and at major organized events, the mood was equally euphoric. Police reported no major incidents, though they arrested 67 people in Munich, mostly for minor offenses such as pickpocketing. The most serious incident involved an attack by two Germans on a man waving a Danish flag. The victim suffered a broken rib. </p><p>"We're bound for Berlin," chanted fans as they poured through Munich's streets, in reference to the final match that will be played in the German capital on July 9. </p><p>In Berlin, more than 300,000 people watched Friday's win on big screens along the "fan mile" that stretches from the Brandenburg Gate. Another 80,000 gathered outdoors in Stuttgart. </p><p>More than 35,000 packed Munich's official viewing event at the Olympic Park where Germany won the 1974 World Cup. Nearly two hours before the game kicked off, fans were being turned away because it was too full. </p><p>Germans are counting on the world's largest sporting event _ watched by hundreds of millions around the globe _ as a chance to show off the "new Germany": reunified, rejuvenated and prospering. <br/></p> |
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