WORLD CUP FEVER

A1+
[01:47 pm] 09 June, 2006

The World Cup 2006 is bound to start in Germany at 09:00 PM Yerevan
time today. The population of the whole world has been looking forward
to this major event. Armenia is no exception. Although at present
chess is at the center of attention in the sports life of Armenia,
many people look forward to the start of the World Cup which will
finish exactly in a month, on July 9.

Unfortunately the national team of Armenia will not participate in the
world cup and the Armenian football fans will have to support other
teams. The Armenian fans are mainly for Ukraine, Brazil, England,
Italy, Argentina and France. Although the national team of Ukraine
is not considered as strong as the rest, it has many fans in Armenia
as it was once part of the Soviet Union.

The national team of Brazil too has many fans in Armenia. According
to the bookmakers Brazil is the main favorite of the world cup and its
index is only 2.8. Then come England, Italy and Germany. Their indices
are about 7-7.5. The index of Ukraine is 55 which is rather high.

By the way, two Armenian football players will participate in the World
Cup. They are Andranik Teymourazyan and Vahid Hashemyan, members of
the Irani national team. Teymourazyan is the only Christian member
of the Persian team.