cyclone2k
06-10-2006, 09:22 AM
Argentina vs. Ivory Coast
Match: 5
Group: C
* Kick Off Time: 21:00
* Venue: FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg
* Referee: DE BLEECKERE Frank
* Temperature: 21°C 70°F
* Conditions: Fair
Preview:
Demel's home from home
It is just short of 3,500 miles between Yamoussoukro, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, and Hamburg but for one player and 50 Ivorians Saturday's Group C match against Argentina is a home game.
Guy Demel was born in Orsay to the south-west of Paris, but his roots are in the West African country. Many of his kinsfolk are regular attendees at Hamburg's FIFA World Cup Stadium for Bundesliga matches.
Demel signed for Hamburg in July last year after three years with Borussia Dortmund having joined them from Arsenal after failing to make any appearances for the Premiership side.
Since his move to the city they call the 'Gateway to the World', Demel has built up a 50-strong following who watch his every game – and all, remarkably, are from Côte d'Ivoire. "They are here every game, they sit in the south stand of the stadium and give him great support," said Marcus Meistersenn, a regular at Hamburg's home games.
"It is great to see. We have a good atmosphere here anyway and they certainly add to it. I hope they are here on Saturday, I think they will be. When they found out their national team was playing here they were very excited."
Demel, who can play in midfield or the right side of defence, has seven caps to his name and will be hoping to add to that in this year's FIFA World Cup – especially at the ground he now calls home.
Match: 5
Group: C
* Kick Off Time: 21:00
* Venue: FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg
* Referee: DE BLEECKERE Frank
* Temperature: 21°C 70°F
* Conditions: Fair
Preview:
Demel's home from home
It is just short of 3,500 miles between Yamoussoukro, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, and Hamburg but for one player and 50 Ivorians Saturday's Group C match against Argentina is a home game.
Guy Demel was born in Orsay to the south-west of Paris, but his roots are in the West African country. Many of his kinsfolk are regular attendees at Hamburg's FIFA World Cup Stadium for Bundesliga matches.
Demel signed for Hamburg in July last year after three years with Borussia Dortmund having joined them from Arsenal after failing to make any appearances for the Premiership side.
Since his move to the city they call the 'Gateway to the World', Demel has built up a 50-strong following who watch his every game – and all, remarkably, are from Côte d'Ivoire. "They are here every game, they sit in the south stand of the stadium and give him great support," said Marcus Meistersenn, a regular at Hamburg's home games.
"It is great to see. We have a good atmosphere here anyway and they certainly add to it. I hope they are here on Saturday, I think they will be. When they found out their national team was playing here they were very excited."
Demel, who can play in midfield or the right side of defence, has seven caps to his name and will be hoping to add to that in this year's FIFA World Cup – especially at the ground he now calls home.