World Cup items go up for auction

Miscellaneous items from the World Cup are being put up for auction by FIFA.

Among the 4,000 memorabilia for bid are one of Franz Beckenbauer's ties and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's boots.

"The first favourites are already emerging," said Jan Broeker, director at the auction house Dechow, "Demand has been highest for anything with an autograph on it."

The auction includes a wide range of lots from German national coach Juergen Klinsmann's warm-up suit to players' sweat-stained jerseys, or even the 32 qualifying nations' flags hoisted during matches.

Broeker has his own favourite.

"I would love to sit with the boys on the bench Klinsmann and his assistants sat on in my garden, have a few beers and watch some Bundesliga games," he said. "But unfortunately I don't think I have the space."

Even the potted plants that adorned the media centres at the 12 World Cup venues are being auctioned off.

"We even have the original goal posts from the opening game in Munich during which our squad scored four goals against Costa Rica," said Broeker.

Proceeds will go toward a range of non-profit projects. The auction will be split in six locations where lots stemming from the surrounding World Cup stadiums will be sold.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.