Deep breaths. Imagine England running out on 9 July in Berlin, at the Olympic Stadium. Forty years after 1966, when the final was held at the venue for the 1948 Games, playing in the stadium made infamous by the 1936 Games.
The presence nearby of Jesse Owens-Allee is a reminder that there was more than one side to that Olympics, of course, and today we have a wonderful 76,000-capacity rebuilt stadium. But, alas, it has an athletics track round it, as befits its Olympic heritage but which means it's not an ideal venue for a football. Sigh.
Anyway, it's the home of Hertha Berlin, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga this season, and host to five other matches aside from the final. Though the most easterly venue, it is not in the old East and indeed in a former incarnation hosted matches in the 1974 finals in West Germany, most notably the hosts' opening match, against Chile, and the South Americans' match against East Germany.
First to visit the capital of united Germany this time are Brazil and Croatia. In most World Cups, the opening game of the tournament features the holders. Instead they have to wait till day five this time around, up against their notional chief rivals.
English eyes will then turn this way, unless they are picking over a post-mortem on a disaster against Trinidad & Tobago. Next, as in 1974, German players face South Americans, the united side taking on Ecuador. Ukraine will then expect to beat Tunisia in their last group match. Good that, by the way - Tunisia, who will have a fairly limited support, playing two of their three games in the two largest venues.
The quarter-final here brings together groups A to D. Germany v Argentina, anyone? Or, if England have finished runners-up in their group, then they could be in action.
Tuesday 13 June, 8pm , Brazil v Croatia, Group F
Thursday 15 June, 8pm, Sweden v Paraguay, Group B
Tuesday 20 June, 3pm, Ecuador v Germany, Group A
Friday 23 June, 3pm, Ukraine v Tunisia, Group H
Friday 30 June, 4pm, Quarter-final
Sunday 9 July, 7pm, Final
BERLIN: THE BASICS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IN A NUTSHELL...
Getting Around
It's easy to get around Berlin. Tickets sold at S-Bahn (train) and U-Bahn (underground) stations cover all BVG trains, trams and buses. Machines are easy to use, with clear instructions in English. Make sure you validate your ticket before travel.
Berlin has three fare zones: central zones A and B, and zone C to the city's outskirts (tickets AB, BC or ABC). Choose an AB ticket to reach the stadium from the centre.
Single ticket - 2.10 (Euro)
Day ticket (zones AB) - 5.80 (Euro)
7-day ticket (zones AB) - 25.40 (Euro)
The Stadium
Berlin Olympiastadion (74,220)
Built for the 1936 Olympic Games, where Jesse Owens won four gold medals, Berlin's Olympiastadion has been given a ¿242 million facelift. Almost all seats are now covered and "dazzle-free" floodlights are also promised, bringing the venue bang up to date for the World Cup 2006. Hertha BSC Berlin call the stadium home.
The World Cup stadium lies to the west of Berlin, 10 minutes' walk from the Olympiastadion underground station.
Get there from the Main Station:
Line S5 from Ostbahnhof and Bahnhof stations serve the Zoologischer Garten, with easy access to the World Cup stadium, Olympiastadion. You'll need to change if you arrive at Spandau or Wannseee stations.
Get there from the Airport:
Tegel Airport is just five miles from the stadium. Take bus X9 or 109 to the Zoologischer Garten from the stop outside the terminal. A taxi to the centre should cost around 15 (Euro).
South of the centre, Tempelhof Airport on U-Bahn (underground) line U6 is a 10-minute trip from Friedrichstrasse, where S-Bahn train S5 departs for the Zoologischer Garten. Taxis to central Berlin cost around 12 (Euro).
Further south-east, Schoenefeld Airport is mainly served by charter flights. Hop on the 171 bus to Rudow U-Bahn station, then take line U7 to the Zoologischer Garten. Taxis charge roughly 25 (Euro).
Get there from the City Centre:
From central Friedrichstrasse, take line S5 to the Zoologischer Garten. Potsdamer Platz has great connections, with line U2 taking you all the way to Olympiastadion.
TV Venues
So the tickets have sold out, but you want to join in the fun? No worries. Giant screens across the city follow all the action on the pitch, so you won't miss anything. The vibe in key spots like the Brandenburg Gate and Treptower Park is sure to be electric.
Big Screens: Brandenburg Gate
See the game on the big screens overshadowing the Strasse des 17 Juni, between the mighty columns of the Brandenburg Gate and Siegessäule monument.
Game in the Park: popKick 06
The popKick 06 fan park takes over Treptower Park, with two huge screens, live music from participating nations, shows, snacks and a chillout lounge.
UK Favourite: Oscar Wilde's Irish Pub
This lively pub on Friedrichstrasse has footie and Guinness on tap. The big screen in the back room is a firm favourite among UK fans.
Where to Stay
FIFA World Cup hotels cluster around central Mitte, Charlottenburg, Tiergarten and Kreuzberg. Early booking is essential, with the best places filling up fast. If you don't mind roughing it a bit, the huge Fan Projekta campsite in Brandenburg is a good option. Berlin tourist office helps with advance bookings for World Cup hotels (+49 (0) 30 250 025).
Central Digs: A&O Hostel Am Zoo
This clean and central hostel near the stadium is a winner, with bright dorms, a 24-hour reception, internet access and a free luggage room. The roof terrace has great views over the city.
U-Bahn Station: Zoologischer Garten
Address: Joachimstaler Strasse 1-3, 10623 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 297 7810
Rates: ¿10 (large dorm)
Web: www.aohostels.com
Happy Campers:Fan Projekt
Pitch a tent at the FIFA World Cup purpose-built campsite, 20km from the stadium. With room for 6000 fans, giant screens showing the matches and free concerts, this is one of the best options for groups.
Train Station: Nauen
Address: Nauen, 14641 Brandenburg
Rates: 18 (Euro)
Web: www.fanproject2006.com
Art Deco Chic: Hotel Garni Askanischer Hof
Friendly and family-run, this World Cup hotel on the Kürfüstendamm is as central as they come. The quirky rooms have comfy beds, cable TV and Art Deco chandeliers. The free parking could come in handy.
U-Bahn Station: Konstanzer Strasse
Address: Kurfürstendamm 53, 10707 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 881 8033
Rates: Single 95 - 130 (Euro); double 117 - 185 (Euro)
Web: www.askanischer-hof.de
Where to go
Where there's fussball there's bier, and the German capital is no exception. Try a refreshing Berliner Weisse (add fruit syrup for an extra kick), or a Kindl pils in the central Mitte district, trendy
Friedrichshain, or Charlottenburg (near the stadium). Fit in with the locals by asking for a Molle - Berlin slang for a beer.
Berlin's oldest pub: Zur Letzten Instanz
Berlin's oldest pub, Zur Letzten Instanz (Waisenstrasse 14-16) may not be the place to go if England play Germany, but at other times you'll find Schultheiss on tap and an anarchic layout.
Pre-game beer: Schleusenkrug
Riverside Schleusenkrug (Müller-Breslau-Str 1) is a stone's throw from the stadium, great for a pre or post-game beer. Its huge beer garden seats 500 fans.
Berliners love meat, with specialities like the Bratwurst sausage, Boulette (fried meatballs) and Eisbein mit Sauerkraut (pickled pork knuckles with sauerkraut). Vegetarians might prefer Kartoffeln (potatoes, chipped, baked, boiled or fried).
Hearty German Fare: Gugelhof
Since Bill Clinton dropped in, Gugelhof (Kollwitzplatz/Ecke Knaackstrasse 37) has shot to fame. Expect hearty German, Swiss and Austrian dishes, plus incredible breakfasts until 4pm. Large tables make it a good place for groups.
Cosy Café:Café Adler
Right next to Checkpoint Charlie, Café Adler (Friedrichstrasse 206) has an old-world atmosphere and a vivid history. It serves tasty grub and the soups are particularly good.
Creative Cuisine: Abendmahl
Smart Abendmahl (Muskauer Strasse 9) in Northern Kreuzberg scores points for its swish interior and imaginative menu, with specials like sesame-tofu balls and Thai fish curry.
Philip Cornwall
