Greatest show on earth kicks off

LIVE RESULTS

World Cup fans across the capital tuned in to watch the spectacular £6 million opening ceremony in the South Korean capital of Seoul today in what is the biggest, most expensive and hyped-up sports event ever.

The 64,000-seater stadium was taken over by some 2,300 performers and Asian-devised cutting-edge technology amid some of the tightest security ever provided at a sporting occasion.

As fighter jets scoured the skies and anti-aircraft missiles were deployed near the stadium the organisers of the biggest sports event since the 11 September atrocities were determined to make this the safest World Cup.

After six years and $5 billion spent on creating the first World Cup to be split between two nations - Japan and Korea - more than 500 million TV viewers around the globe were expected to tune in to the opening match between champions France and Senegal.

Some 2,000 England supporters are already in the Japanese capital ready for England's opening match against Sweden. Hundreds more are arriving on every flight from the UK and their number is expected to more than triple by kick-off on Sunday.

Sales executive Lisa Luke, 30, typified the optimistic mood. "I think England will do really well," she said. "David Beckham declaring himself fit has given everyone a massive lift at just the right time."

Lisa, a Sunderland fan, said: "I've got tickets for all three of England's opening group games and I don't think it's impossible that they can win all three." Also flying the flag at Narita airport were British Airways pilots, Jonathan Wood, Richard Mauby and Neil Rowe.

Neil, 27, a Liverpool fan from Solihull, said: "England have a difficult draw but I hope and expect we will qualify for the second round - after that, who knows how far we can go."

One of the youngest supporters arriving today was Jack Hanington, a seven-year-old Charlton season ticket holder from Highbury, who will be going to all three England group games.

"England are going to win the World Cup," predicted a slightly weary Jack. "That's a common view among seven- year- olds, I've noticed," added his father Peter, 34. "I do hope they're right."

The England team will get their final team talk from Sven-Goran Eriksson using an old-fashioned board, markers and ruler in the dressing room at the £188 million Saitama Stadium on Sunday.

Each player will be given his own personal key to the safety boxes along with soft towels and bottles, in pink, black and yellow, of body and hair lotion. The dressing room also has 11 hairdriers - perfect for goalkeeper David Seaman to keep his ponytail in order.

There is a communal sunken bath with 11 separate showers operated by keypad. Management and players will be able to get an update on other teams from a 28-inch widescreen Japan Victor company television set.

A call of nature can be answered in four urinals alongside a set of electronic musical lavatories. Each has heated automatic seats, multidirectional water sprays and selfcontained bottom driers. Players can wipe mud off their boots by manually pointing sprays at their studs before stepping back into the dressing room.

After the match, the England players can lounge in a bar for their exclusive use.

Sven: I want to see fire!
WORLD CUP - news and analysis
Join our World Cup message boards
FIXTURES & LIVE RESULTS
Opening ceremony in pictures