Leipzig

The Zentralstadion is a symbol of hope and unity, and a potential white elephant. The only stadium in the former East Germany being used in the World Cup, but in a city where club football has all but failed since reunification, with Lokomotiv wound up, relaunched and beset by far-right hooligans.

A warm welcome, then, to Serbia & Montenegro v Holland, in the sides' opening game in Group C.

That's probably the pick of the games here, in a city where the German FA was founded and where, in 1989, crucial demonstrations against the East German government took place on the road to bringing down the wall. But Ukraine - a country that would not have an independent existence without the events of less than 20 years ago, have an opportunity against Spain to fulfil their undoubted potential.

Around 39,000 can watch the matches at the World Cup, but when will it next be close to capacity?

Sunday 11 June, 2pm, Serbia & Montenegro v Holland, Group C
Wednesday 14 June, 2pm, Spain v Ukraine, Group H
Sunday 18 June, 8pm, France v South Korea, Group G
Wednesday 21 June, 3pm, Iran v Angola, Group D
Saturday 24 June, 8pm, Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D

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

Getting Around
Leipzig has an extensive Strassenbahn (tram) network, and there is only one zone (110) you need use. The ticket is valid for one hour, but make sure you validate it at a stamping machine when boarding the tram.

Single ticket - 1.70 (Euro)
Day ticket - 4.90 (Euro)
7-day ticket - 14.30 (Euro)


The Stadium
Leipzig Zentralstadion (45,000)

Leipzig's Zentralstadion, Germany's largest all-sports stadium when it opened in 1956, has been rebuilt completely for the World Cup. The new, distinctively modern, venue is now dedicated to football and can accommodate 45,000 fans under its state-of-the-art roof.

Home team VfB Leipzig won the first-ever German championship in 1903. Broken up under Communist rule, the re-founded club is now working its way back up the leagues.

The World Cup stadium lies to the west of the city, 15-20 minutes' walk from the main train station and the city centre. Various Strassenbahn (tram) lines stop nearby.

Get there from the Main Station
Strassenbahn (tram) lines 3, 7 and 15 leave from Hauptbahnhof, Leipzig's main station, and serve the Zentralstadion. Get off at Sportforum.

Get there from the Airport
Leipzig/Halle Airport lies 18 kilometres to the north-west of the city. The half-hourly airport train (FlughafenExpress) takes you to Leipzig's main railway station in 15 minutes. A single ticket costs 3.40 (Euro).

Get there from the City Centre
You can walk to the stadium in about 20 minutes, or catch S-Bahn lines 7 or 15 rom Augustusplatz.


TV Venues
No tickets left for the game? No problem. The huge screen on the Augustusplatz shows all the action, with space for up to 15,000 fans. If you prefer things a little smaller, head to one of Leipzig's atmospheric pubs.

Big Screen: Augustusplatz
See the matches on a 60 square-metre screen at the Augustusplatz, the city's main square, between the opera and the university. On-site music, food and drink should make this Leipzig's biggest football party.

Match and Snacks: Kanal 28
This canal side warehouse-bar (on Kanal 28) has a huge projector and turns up the volume for a nearly-live football experience, even serving up snacks inspired by the countries on screen.

Irish Choice: The Quiet Man
With a huge football screen, Guinness on tap and a selection of Irish whiskeys, The Quiet Man (Grosse Fleischergasse 19) is anything but quiet, and the perfect place to watch the game.


Where to Stay
Most of Leipzig's major World Cup hotels are located in the city centre, clustering around the train station. Independent hostels are a good alternative if you don't mind sharing rooms. Early booking is essential for the FIFA World Cup, with the best places filling up fast. Leipzig tourist office helps with advance World Cup hotel bookings (+49 (0) 341 7104 255)

Wake Late: Central Globetrotter
Centrally located, this friendly, independent hostel has rooms accommodating between one to eight people, comfy beds and, crucially, serves breakfast till noon.
S-Bahn Station: Hauptbahnhof
Address: Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 41, 04105 Leipzig
Phone: +49 (0) 341 1498 960
Rates: 13 - 24 (Euro)
Web: www.globetrotter-leipzig.de/

Pitch A Tent: Fan-Camp beim 1. FC Lok Leipzig
Leipzig's second football club welcomes fans to their dedicated campsite, on the pitch of the Bruno-Plache stadium, featuring a restaurant, a video screen and that all-important FIFA World Cup atmosphere.
S-Bahn Station: Probstheida
Address: Connewitzer Straße 21, 04289 Leipzig
Phone: +49 (0) 341 8699920)
Rates: 25 (Euro)
Web: www.lok-leipzig.com

Central Option: Holiday Inn Garden Court
Located right in the city centre - next to Leipzig's shopping district - this World Cup hotel is a great option, and if you're lucky, rooms come with a view of the beautifully restored railway station.
S-Bahn Station: Hauptbahnhof
Address: Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3, 04105 Leipzig
Phone: +49 (0) 341 125 10
Rates: 57-81 (Euro)
Web: www.hi-leipzig.de


Where to Go
Leipzig loves its pubs as much as its parties, so you won't have any trouble finding a place to go. Just stroll down the city's pub mile, Drallewatsch, and take your pick. Try the city's very own speciality - Gose - a top-fermented wheat beer, or settle for the region's satisfyingly strong, dark Schwarzbier.

Leipzig's oldest Gose pub: Gosenschenke Ohne Bedenken
Gose is best enjoyed at Gosenschenke (Menckestraße 5). Take a seat in the cellar or the tree-lined beer garden, easily one of the most beautiful spots to drink in the city.

Pre-game beer: Spizz
Warm up at local favourite Spizz (Markt 9), where you can sit outside in the sun, have a bite to eat and enjoy refreshing Koestritzer dark beer.

Late-night partying: Moritzbastei
Mingle with Leipzig's hip crowd in this three-storey cellar. The friendly but energetic atmosphere makes this bar-cum-club the ideal spot for after-match partying, and closing hours are not taken too seriously...

Leipzigers love their roast with potatoes and rich gravy - and everything's made to go perfectly with cold beer. Vegetarians should try the typical Leizpiger Allerlei, a hearty vegetable stew. The local tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) in the afternoon is well worth a try too.

Traditional café: Zum arabischen Coffee-Baum
The 300 year-old Coffee-Baum (Kleine Fleischergasse 4), is one of Europe's longest-running coffee houses. Sip fresh coffee and try a home-made piece of cake, just as Schumann, Wagner and Napoleon did before you.

Hearty Saxon fare: Auerbachs Keller
Sample a Rindsroulade (beef roll) at Leipzig's most famous cellar (Grimmaische Straße 2 - 4), where Germany's most famous playwright, Goethe himself, spent many drunken hours as a student.

Quick bite: Bagel Brothers
For a quick snack on the go, head to this shop on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, where you can choose from a huge variety of richly filled and reasonably priced bagels.

Philip Cornwall

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