Germany have had to cancel the party they wanted to throw for about 2,000 fans who will support them in today's World Cup final against Brazil because they could not find a hall. The German supporters are invited instead to a party that will take place before Germany play the Faroe Islands in their opening Euro 2004 qualifier on October 16 in the German city of Hanover.

Collina

Germans are hoping Pierluigi Collina, the bald Italian who will referee the World Cup final, has forgotten an ill-chosen gift the DFB once gave him before a match - a hair-dryer. The 42-year-old is in charge of today's final between Germany and Brazil and several German newspapers have pointed out the embarrassing present the DFB once gave to referees.

Bierhoff

It has been a frustrating World Cup for Oliver Bierhoff but the former Germany captain is still excited about today's final against Brazil, which will mark the end of his international career. "I'm looking forward to a great game," Bierhoff said yesterday. The 34-year-old, who was hoping to come on at some stage to bid farewell to the German fans, said he would probably feel some nostalgia after the final whistle. "It might hurt when I give my boots to (kit man) Mani Drexler and realise I'll never get them back," he said.

Schroeder

German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder took the first shot in a political battle to prove who is the national team's biggest fan, winning praise from Japan's premier yesterday about his side's World Cup success. Taking advantage of a chance to bask in sporting glory three months before a general election, Schroeder hitched a ride on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's plane after a Group of Eight summit in Canada to watch today's World Cup final in Yokohama.