Preparing the English for the World Cup!
The British embassy in Germany launched a new website for the 2006 World Cup last week that includes handy German phrases for England fans, such as "He was sick as a parrot" or "He puked his guts up."
The website www.britishembassyworldcup.com is designed to help the estimated 100,000 English fans expected to travel to Germany for the 32-team tournament that starts in Munich on June 9 and concludes with the July 9 final in Berlin.
"Germany will be hosting the world's biggest party and it will make a great job of it," said British Ambassador Peter Torry in a statement announcing the new website ahead of Saturday's draw in Leipzig, 200 km south of Berlin.
Torry said, with their 100,000 fans, England would have more supporters in Germany than any other team, with the exception of Germany.
Britain has assigned a dedicated soccer attache with a staff of 20 to coordinate the embassy's World Cup activities.
The web site contains information for fans and journalists that includes details about the World Cup venues, tips about German soccer culture and other bits of off-beat advice.
"Ihm war kotzuebel" (He was sick as a parrot) and "Er kotzte wie ein Reiher" (He puked his guts up) are in the guide as is "Wembley-tor" (Wembley goal) - the controversial 1966 World Cup final extra time goal by Geoff Hurst when England beat West Germany.