The Lido nightspot will broadcast 10 of the top first-round games on a giant screen accompanied by a champagne lunch for 650 Francs ($108). Their show-girls will then provide the evening entertainment for 795 Francs ($133).

Other similar fare being offered in Paris includes Theatre des Champs-Elysees which is to show soccer in the afternoon and a play in the evening. Also, Paris-based musicians from Cameroon will donate concert proceeds to their cash-strapped National team. Paris cinema will play up with films which have a soccer theme, including Senegal's ``Le Ballon D'Or'' (The Golden Ball).

Bets over a Germany-Brazil final
BRUSSELS: While Europe's leaders haggled over the EuropeanCentral Bank at a summit yesterday, their finance chiefs circulated a sweepstake on the soccer World Cup which gave Germany and Brazil the best chances of making it to the final.

French finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn said 11 ministers had given Germany a place in the final in July, with eight including Brazil in their bet. Italy snuck into third place in sweepstake with seven mentions.