World Cup 2006

With the World Cup landing on the doorstep of EMB (and more particularly the doorstep of EMB Deutschland in Cologne) EMB took the opportunity to take some key clients to see the planet’s biggest sporting event.

On 20th June, Cologne braced itself for the arrival of 80,000 England fans without tickets for their game against Sweden by installing big screens (with BBC commentary) on the river banks. Amidst all this confusion, Mike, Andrzej, Raj and a few of EMB’s clients slipped quietly into town.

The game didn’t start off well for England with Michael Owen being stretchered off in the very 1st minute after audaciously trying to change direction while no opposition players were near him. His supreme fitness ensured that this caused ligament damage allowing him to return home quicker than the other England players (but not that much sooner!). Clearly the FA need to take another look at the research of Paul Murray of EMB about the importance of a winter break (as they have in Germany) if Premiership players are to avoid injury!!

Despite the early setback, England (& Mike in particular) were celebrating when ex-West Ham youngster Joe Cole scored a wonder goal, chesting down a clearance before volleying it into the top corner of the net from well outside the area. Soon after half-time Sweden equalised to increase their chances of getting the draw they needed to qualify for the last 16. England, who had already qualified, now started to look nervous and could easily have let in another goal which would have seen Sweden top the group and sent England into a 2nd round match against the hosts, Germany. With 5 minutes to go, Mike’s favourite player set up Steven Gerrard for what looked like a winner for England. It was not to be though and in the last minute, England’s defence generously allowed Sweden the draw that they were looking for. So that left Sweden happy, England not so happy, clients happy, Mike not so happy!

On 23rd June, Pete, Paul Murray, Frank from EMB Deutschland and Stephane from EMB France took clients to see France v Togo. France knew that against Togo (who had already booked their flights home) anything less than a win would see the 1998 world champions saying au revoir. To make certain of reaching the 2nd round they needed to win by 2 goals. Stephane, the EMB party’s token Frenchman was quietly confident but clearly nervous too, refusing to predict the score. EMB’s world cup presence was boosted further by the presence of honorary Togolese supporter, Matt Facey at the game with his rather large Welsh flag clearly visible just to the left of the EMB party. At half-time, Stephane looked decidedly more concerned as France’s dominance was yet to yield any goals. By the end of the match though, Stephane was beaming from ear to ear as goals from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry ensured that France would be heading into the knockout rounds that would eventually lead them to penalty heartbreak in the final itself. The night ended with the EMB party having to physically battle their way into their hotel as a crowd of Togolese supporters surrounded the only entrance while trying to get inside and see their vanquished heroes.

The final EMB world cup trip to Cologne took place on 26th June. This game should have been the biggest of the three given it was a 2nd round clash between the winners of Group G and the runners-up in Group H. Hopes had between high of a heavyweight clash between France and Spain. However France’s unexpectedly poor start and Spain’s unusually impressive early tournament performance meant that the lucky, lucky EMB party could feast their eyes on Switzerland v Ukraine! Raj, Richard Rodriguez, Steve Mathews & Knut from EMB Deutschland arrived expectantly with clients. After a few beers to get everyone in the right mood, attention turned to the game and Raj suggested a sweepstake. He collected money from everyone to pay out on the first goalscorer and the time of the first goal. Raj insists that everyone enjoyed the game given the great atmosphere in the stadium. This is just as well, as anyone who witnessed this game on TV wouldn’t have gained too much enjoyment! At half time, the match was goalless so the sweepstake kitty was still unclaimed. As the 2nd half wore on, concentration had certainly switched from the game to the money riding on it but to no avail….90 minutes were soon up and it was extra time. Sadly the next half an hour was also to pass without a goal. Hard to believe given the excitement caused by Ukraine managing a whole two shots on target in 120 minutes! Raj saw the opportunity to turn the sweepstake into a triumphant winner-takes-all kitty by declaring that whoever had the player who first scored a penalty in the shootout would get the whole kitty (initially reserved for time of first goal as well as first goalscorer). As Shevchenko of Ukraine stepped up to take the first kick, it was clear the money was at last to be won. The Chelsea bound forward who has been possibly the world’s best goalscorer in recent years, conquering Italy’s Serie A and the Champions League, stepped forward only to see his shot saved by the Swiss goalkeeper. As Ukrainian fans groaned and Swiss fans cheered, a 3rd reaction was heard – the EMB party all laughing hysterically. The 1st Swiss penalty was also saved before eventually the net rippled for the first time that evening. Ukraine were 1-0 up but their goal had been scored by a substitute (and therefore no-one had him in the sweepstake!). The Swiss then missed another, another Ukrainian substitute scored, the Swiss missed again and then finally the shootout ended 3-0 with a goal by Oleg Gusev. Sadly no-one had plumped for Oleg in the sweepstake and Raj was forced to return all the sweepstake money to its original owners!

So EMB’s trip to the world cup had yielded 6 goals, a penalty shootout, short lived joy for both England and France, fantastic German hospitality and very happy clients. EMB’s recent expansion into South Africa leaves things nicely poised for 2010 when the World Cup makes its first trip to Africa.