Opening Day Mostly Trouble Free in Germany
Friday, June 9, 2006; 9:23 PM
MUNICH, Germany -- An army of police and stadium guards met tens of thousands of partying soccer fans at the World Cup's opening games Friday _ and aside from scattered arrests, the biggest problem was long lines caused by tight security.
More than 2,800 police from Munich and the surrounding Bavaria region watched downtown areas, where helicopters buzzed above fans wearing jerseys from around the world. Officers on horseback patrolled outside the stadium where Germany played Costa Rica, while others mingled in beer halls.
  A German police officer and two British counterparts walk about during a media opportunity in the center of Frankfurt, Thursday June 8, 2006. The World Cup soccer will kick off Friday with the first Group A match Germany versus Costa Rica. The British police will work alongside their German counterparts monitoring the British soccer fans. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong - AP)   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
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Munich police reported making 67 arrests, mostly for minor crimes such as pick pocketing. The most serious incident involved an attack by two Germans on a man waving a Danish flag. The man suffered a broken rib.
A spate of racially motivated attacks ahead of the tournament has raised concerns of xenophobic attacks and hooliganism _ and there were stirrings of that sentiment Friday.
Hours before the game Munich police said they removed a World Cup banner with swastikas from a highway bridge and in Berlin police said they raided the headquarters of a far-right political party, confiscating about 3,000 World Cup guides with racist overtones.
At Munich's stadium, all was quiet amid a heavy security presence.
"It all went very smoothly," German organizing committee spokesman Jens Grittner said. "For the first game of a World Cup, it was excellent."
Guards checked pockets, bags, even wallets _ and confiscated hundreds of bottles, flag poles and video cameras that fans could pick up later.
Even those who had items temporarily taken didn't seem upset.
Swantje Wittstock surrendered a bottle of Hugo Boss perfume and wasn't sure she'd have time to collect it on her way to post-game revelry.
"I don't mind _ you're not supposed to have glass in the stadium and I just forgot I had it," Wittstock said. "I think the security is OK if it keeps everything safe."
Bottlenecked lines at stadium gates eased to a trickle of fans just before kick off.