GERMANY WORLD CUP 2006
Cologne
The city of Cologne (Köln) is famous for its magnificent twin-spired cathedral, the Kölner Dom, as well as its riverside vistas - and Eau de Cologne, to which it gave its name. Its population is young - 30% of its million inhabitants are aged between 18 and 35 - but its history dates back to Roman times. Today the city's character reflects this mixture of modern and ancient. Sleek glass shopping malls, lively bars and restaurants sit beside sections of the old Roman wall and water system.
Cologne's speciality beer, the light, top-fermented "Kölsch" has to be brewed in the city to bear the name. The result is that Cologne has 24 breweries, more than any other city in the world. The beer is traditionally poured in a narrow cylindrical glass called a "stange". Much is quaffed during Cologne's annual carnival, the so-called "fifth season" which runs from November 11 until Ash Wednesday.
Cologne has strong associations with a variety of sports. The city is headquarters to the German Sports College, German Sports and Olympic Museum, Football Instructor's School, and the Federal Institute for Sports Science. A stadium has stood on the site of the new Fifa WM-Stadion Köln since 1923. The arena is home ground to FC Köln - and its famed live billy-goat mascot.
Getting there
By air
The Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN) runs a shuttle service to the centre of the city which takes approximately 20 minutes.
By train
High-speed trains link Cologne to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Berlin. The Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) connects to any German city, while the two smaller stations Köln Süd and Köln West serve mostly regional trains.
Links :
Deutsche Bahn
European Rail
By road
All main German cities are serviced by Eurlolines and tickets can be purchased at Deutsche Bahn (representative agents), which you'll find in main railway stations. If travelling by private car, you'll find information on the German motorway network at autobahn-online.de.
Accomodation
The most central place to find a room is Fifaworldcup.com. The majority of listed hotels are located close to the venue which will save you a lot of time on match day. Searching for the right place to stay is made simple for bookers - just name which team you are supporting and a list of hotels will appear for you to select in each city that they will play in.
The stadium
The best thing about Cologne's 46,000 seater stadium from a fan's point of view is the proximity to the action, with only 8 metres separating the field from the stand.
Getting there :
From the main station, get on to the S-Bahn S1 to Müngersdorf-Rheinenergie Stadion.
Tel: +49 221 4983806.
Official website
If you don't get a ticket
Joe Champs American Sportsbar & Restaurant is ready to host other football fans that don't get a ticket.
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