The World Cup’s trophy for a day
Local soccer fans will have an opportunity to view the World Cup soccer trophy, the world’s most coveted sporting trophy, when it goes on public display in Athens next month as part of a global tour ahead of the World Cup finals in Germany this coming summer. The trophy, to stop over in Greece for four days, between April 5 and 8, will be on public display for just one day, April 7, at the Olympic Stadium’s basketball arena, Greece’s soccer federation, EPO, announced yesterday. Various related events, including the screening of a 3D film, have been arranged for the day, the EPO announcement said. The trophy’s world tour is being organized by FIFA, soccer’s international federation, and the Coca-Cola Company, as part of promotional events leading to the summer competition. The trophy’s tour includes stops in 31 cities in 29 countries on all continents. It arrives in Europe this Sunday with France as the continent’s first of six stops. The trophy has already toured through 21 African and American cities and is currently in Asia. The World Cup opens on June 9 with host nation Germany up against Costa Rica. The competition ends July 9 with the final to be played in Berlin. Greece failed to qualify despite going into the campaign as European champion.
