Hamburg

Once home to Kevin Keegan and his bubble perm, now this north German port is the stage for the dodgy haircuts of the Czech Republic when they take on Italy in what could be a climactic game for two fine sides.

Any winner in the match between Ecuador and Costa Rica will be out to prove they're not just here to make up the numbers, though that's probably the case.

Argentina and Ukraine have must-win, should-win games, while the quarter-final at the AOL Arena is between sides from Groups E to H. It should be whoever comes out on top out of Italy, the Czech Republic and the USA, versus France.

This season Hamburg have been vying for the title, falling short on the penultimate weekend. Around 45,000 will be able to watch the games here.

Saturday 10 June, 8pm, Argentina v Ivory Coast, Group C
Thursday 15 June, 2pm, Ecuador v Costa Rica, Group A
Monday 19 June, 5pm, Saudi Arabia v Ukraine, Group H
Thursday 22 June, 3pm, Czech Republic v Italy, Group E
Friday 30 June, 8pm, Quarter-final


HAMBURG: THE BASICS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IN A NUTSHELL...

Getting Around
Hamburg has a very efficient and fully integrated public transport network. Travel is free for those with a ticket on match days.

Tickets are valid on all S Bahn and U Bahn (underground) trains and buses. Express buses or first class travel cost extra.

Hamburg is divided into 5 fare zones, A to E. The AOL Arena is in Zone A, in the centre of Hamburg.

Single ticket - 1.95 (Euro)
Day ticket - 5.50 (Euro)
3-day ticket - 13.30 (Euro)


The Stadium
AOL Arena (51,055)

The AOL Arena is the home of Kevin Keegan's former team, Hamburger SV (HSV), the only club to have played in every Bundesliga season since its inception. 97 (Euro) million has been spent reconstructing the stadium, formerly known as the Volkparkstadion, which was the venue for East Germany's famous 1-0 victory over the West at the 1974 World Cup.

The stadium is to the west of Hamburg city centre. It can be reached by free shuttle bus from Stellingen overland train station (on lines S3 and S21).

Get there from the main Station
From the Hauptbahnhof, take line S3 or S21 to Stellingen. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes.

Get there from the Airport
Get on the number 110 bus to Ohlsdorf and then take the U1 underground or S1 overland train into Hauptbahnhof in the centre of town. A taxi to the centre should set you back around 20 (Euro).

Get there from the City Centre
Take the train from Hauptbahnhof. Alternatively, a taxi should cost around 18 (Euro).


TV Venues
Even if you're without a ticket, you can have a good time. The massive 50,000 person Fan Fest in Heiligengeistfeld should provide an experience that is as close to the match as possible.

Heiligengeistfeld: The Fan Park
Close to the Reeperbahn, the Heiligengeistfeld is set to be the centre of non-match excitement, with viewing screens, a beach club, table football, five-a-side and even human table football.

Heiligengeistfeld: The Fans' Stadium
Alongside the Fan Park, the Fans' Stadium is a 50,000 capacity big-screen viewing area that will show every game. A special stage hosts live music, interviews and football-related discussions.

Reminder of Home: Thomas Read Irish Pub
A very popular place to watch football all year round, the Thomas Read Irish Pub on the Reeperbahn will be heaving when the tournament kicks off this June.


Where to Stay
World Cup hotels in Hamburg are going to be in demand, so book early! Most major hotel chains have locations in the city. For more info on booking World Cup hotels, contact the tourist office on +49 (0) 40 300 51 300.

In the Thick of it: Ibis Hamburg St Pauli
Close to the Reeperbahn and the nightlife of Hamburg, the Ibis Hamburg St Pauli is just a few stops from the stadium. You know what you're getting with this World Cup hotel - efficient service and clean rooms at reasonable prices.
U-Bahn Station: Reeperbahn
Address: Simon-von-Utrecht Strasse 63, 20359 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0) 40 650 460
Rates: from 69 (Euro)
Web: www.ibishotel.com

Central Hostel: A&O City Hostel
Just three stops from the Hauptbahnhof, the A&O City Hostel provides cheap and central accommodation. Fully renovated in 2005 in time for the FIFA World Cup, it now has an en-suite shower in every room as well as a bar with billiards, table football and internet connections.
U-Bahn Station: Hammerkirsche (U3)
Address: Hammer Landstrasse 170, 20537 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0) 40 210 9402
Rates: from 69 (Euro)
Web: www.aohostels.com

Roughing it: Campingplatz Schnelsen-Nord
One of the largest campsites in Hamburg, Campingplatz Schnelsen-Nord is the cheapest option for fans visiting the city. In the north-west, near to the Autobahn, it is connected to town by the U2 underground line and the number 191 bus.
U-Bahn Station: Niendorf-Markt (U2)
Bus Stop: Dornröschenweg
Address: Wunderbrunnen 2, 22457 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0) 40 559 42 25
Rates: 5 (Euro) per person, 2.50 (Euro) per car
Web: www.campingplatz-hamburg.de


Where to go
Home to the Bavaria-St.Pauli and Holsten breweries, among others, local Hamburg brews include Ratsherrn (pilsener) and Dubelsbrucker (dark beer). Both are drunk in huge quantities each night in the Reeperbahn and Schanze districts.

Hamburg Institution: Kaiserkeller
A famous music venue, the Kaiserkeller (Grosse Freiheit 36), takes a fairly uncompromising stance when it comes to its choices of live bands. The Beatles played here in their formative years.

Reeperbahn Alternative: Nouar
While the Reeperbahn may be the best known area of Hamburg for going out, the Schanze district is a lively alternative. Nouar (Max-Brauer-Allee 275) is one of the hottest bars in the area and even has big screens to take in the action.

Typical German Pub: Max & Consorten
A typical Hamburg boozer, Max & Consorten (Spadenteich 7) has a big carved wooden bar, a warm ambience and Guinness on ta

As you would expect from one of Europe's biggest ports, fish is a local speciality. Try Labskaus, a mixture of beef, herring, potato and beet, or Scholle Finkenwerder Art - panfried plaice with smoked ham and potato salad.

Family-Run Fish Restaurant: Fischerhaus
Although unspectacular from the outside, the traditional Fischerhaus (Fischmarkt 14) is a great place to have a bite. If you decide to make a reservation, try to get a table upstairs for a great view of the harbour.

Canal-side venue: Friesenkeller
Friesenkeller (Jungfernstieg 7) is a typical North German restaurant serving up hearty fare with an emphasis on fish, particularly plaice. It's rustic rather than chic and a great spot to pass a couple of hours.

Something Different: Cox
Cox (Lange Reihe 68) has been a favourite among Hamburg's foodies for years. With a menu featuring mainly German nouvelle cuisine, it specialises in fresh produce and interesting combinations.

Philip Cornwall

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