Beckenbauer works magic for Germany again

Beckenbauer works magic for Germany again
Patrick Vignal

ZURICH, JULY 6: The decision to award the 2006 World Cup finals to Germany on Thursday was a personal triumph for Franz Beckenbauer who showed again that everything he touches turns to gold. Using the same the blend of elegance and authority he once displayed on the field, the charismatic libero turned sports politician steered the German bid to victory over South Africa in the vote by the 24 members of the FIFA executive committee.

Last-minute lobbying from the man who won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as coach in 1990 was needed as South Africa appeared to enter the last straight in the lead. In the end, the vote could not have been closer with Germany winning by 12 votes to 11 for South Africa with one abstention.

With its proven capacity to stage major tournaments and its rich soccer tradition, Germany seemed the safest option to many. But South Africa's claim that it was about time an African nation hosted the showpiece event and the fact that FIFA President Sepp Blatter shared that view made them the favourites until the final act was played out.

Two days before the vote, Beckenbauer said Germany had considered pulling out because Brazil had lent its support to South Africa after withdrawing its own candidature. "This is horse trading directed against us," he said, clearly upset.

But the next day he was in confident mood again, peppering his speech with jokes during the final presentation of a bid he has promoted tirelessly for the last three years. "I trust you," he told the voters after reminding them that Germany had the stadiums, the infrastructure and the experience required. "You all know that we are capable of staging World Cup finals," he said.

Germany showed the world it could handle major soccer tournaments by hosting the 1974 World Cup and the 1988 European championship finals.

Some felt the fact that it already had staged the World Cup might be a handicap but Beckenbauer insisted it would be a new experience since what was then West Germany has since become part of a unified nation.

The German government played its part, clearing a major hurdle by granting FIFA tax exemption on the huge profits to be made by the ruling body from the competition in Germany. A history of soccer-related violence was also regarded as anobstacle but tough new laws introduced before Euro 2000 showed the problem was being tackled seriously.

Sixteen cities -- among them all 10 venues of the 1974 World Cup -- have been shortlisted. The list will now be cut down to 10 to 12 venues, with Munich likely to host the opening match while Berlin should get the final. Both Olympic stadiums are about to undergo major facelifts.

Germany, whose national team dropped out of Euro 2000 in the group stage in their worst performance at a significant competition, now face the daunting task of having to build a team capable of faring decently on home soil in six years time. At least they will not have to qualify.

Setback for Africa: Mbeki

PRETORIA: South Africa's failure to win the bid to host the 2006 World Cup was a setback for Africa, President Thabo Mbeki said on Thursday, adding: "Next time we will win."

"Of course the disappointment we're experiencing today is a setback to our efforts at gaining the recognition that Africa deserves in the internatonal sporting community," Mbeki said in a live television address to a depressed nation minutes after FIFA announced in Zurich that Germany would host the cup on a 12-11 vote. "We are confident that our bid was sound in all respects but a few of the final arbiters, from their unique vantage point, clearly had their own view different from ours," Mbeki said. He added: "Once more, our best wishes to the winning nation. Next time we will win."