FIFA World Cup 2014: Football fever grips fans across the world

King among fans from poland

Dressed like the Pope and suitably flashing a benign smile, an elderly fan and his wife caught the eyeballs of many in front of the Maracana. There was jostling among fans for a photo op with the ‘Pope’.  The centre of attention is called the king of fans back in his country, Poland. Andrzej Bobowski has attended 128 World Cup matches so far spread over 10 editions. He hasn’t missed a Euro from 1980. The diehard fan of the beautiful game has a message for his fans: make goals not war.

Diplomatic Brazilian

Some Brazilians live dual life during the World Cup. When the Selecao don’t play, they adopt a some other country to support. Argentina and Brazil are sworn enemies on the football field. So a Brazilian wanting to support Argentina is sure to face flak from his friends and neighbours. But one man found an ingenious way to avoid the wrath of his compatriots while supporting Argentina against Bosnia. He wore the Argentine jersey over Brazil’s yellow to pass the loyalty test.

Bora likes Costa Rica

Legendary Serbian coach Bora Milutinovi was very much in demand as he made a brief appearance in the media centre on Sunday. He knows the World Cup like the back of his hand as he had taken five different teams to Fifa’s showpiece in an illustrious coaching career. The maverick had time for all his tormentors. When a Chinese reporter asked him whether he would take up the football reins of the most populous nation in the world again, Bora said he hasn’t got an invitation yet.

Selfies rule the roost

The craze for selfies with celebrities was all pervasive at the Maracana on Sunday. Whether it was a lonely corner in the media centre or the crowded stands, stars can hardly spend a quiet minute. Juan Sebastian Veron, who is in Rio on a TV assignment, was beseeched with requests for selfies. Former England international Rio Ferdinand couldn’t leave his media enclosure at the top tier of the Maracana as fans thronged him for selfies.

Argentina overwhelm Bosnia

It looked as if Brazil had been invaded by Argentina before the start of La Albiceleste’s Group ‘F’ match against Bosnia. The open area outside the Maracana in Rio was brimming with Argentina fans. Bosnian supporters were so few that they became novelty. Amir Muhic and his dad had made a dash from the US to support Bosnia.