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So, where will you watch the World Cup?

Conrad Astley
26/ 5/2006

AS the days tick down to the first World Cup game on June 9, we are becoming more obsessed with whether Wayne Rooney will be fit in time, whether new boy Theo Walcott will live up to expectations and whether Embrace's dreary anthem will provide the national team with any inspiration.

But another more pressing question faces the average football fan in the weeks running up to the greatest soccer show on earth - where to watch it?

While most of us haven't been lucky enough to beg, borrow or steal tickets to head over to Hamburg, Berlin or Munich, a debate has kicked off about where to find the best atmosphere while staying put.

In Manchester, the games will be shown on the giant BBC screen in Exchange Square but, bizarrely, not on the massive football-shaped screen which has recently appeared in Piccadilly Gardens.

Anyone who wants to watch the event in style should head down to the Cocoa Rooms on Chapel Street.

The bar's outdoor terrace, overlooking the River Irwell, will be filled with giant plasma screen TVs showing the games.

Bosses say they want to create an atmosphere similar to what fans would expect in Germany, with the terrace being transformed into a traditional Bavarian barbecue. Chefs Stephen McLoughlin and Paul Speakman will be serving "designer" sausages as well as bratwurst and frankfurters.

Cocktails such as the St George's Surprise have been specially mixed for the occasion, while special half-time oranges - with a twist of vodka - will also be brought out to help calm the nerves.

Seating areas can also be reserved in advance for certain games, and bosses say they have been taking bookings since early May. Visit www.the cocoarooms.com for more information.

Meanwhile, anyone who thinks a plasma screen TV just isn't big enough to watch the action should head down to the Printworks.

The entertainment complex's Odeon cinema is showing all three of England's first round matches, along with the quarter and semis finals, live on its big screen.

The company claims that, despite the size of the screen, the games will be shown in high definition and bosses have invested £150,000 in new technology across the country for the event.

They are advertising the games as normal films - giving them a PG rating and stating they are directed by Sven Goran Eriksson and star David Beckham, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Steven Gerrard.

England play Paraguay on Saturday June 10, Trinidad on Thursday June 15 and Sweden on Tuesday June 20. Quarter finals are scheduled for June 30 and July 1, semi-finals are scheduled for July 4 and 5, and the competition's final has been scheduled for July 9.

Fans worried about missing that crucial goal should head down to a pub in Great Moor, Stockport .

Francis McDonald, publican of the Crown Hotel, has ensured fans won't miss out on the action by fitting all five rooms with giant plasma screen TVs.

And, just to be sure, he has even installed a portable set in the gents' loos - for those awkward moments when punters need to pay a visit but are afraid to tear themselves away from the game.

The pub will be following an international theme during the cup. As well as the obligatory England flags, there will also be Brazilian, Japanese and Dutch flags hung up inside the bar.

And, in place of the usual cross of St George, a giant Spanish flag will fluter outside the pub, in recognition of Spaniards at nearby Stepping Hill Hospital, who regularly pop in to watch Spanish league matches.

Francis wanted to make them feel welcome while watching their national team's games against Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Francis is in an odd position on the eve of the World Cup: he's a Scotsman who supports the Republic of Ireland.

"Celtic was my club," he explained. "But when I grew up, the Rangers' supporters would always boo the Celtic players when they played in the Scottish national team, so I thought I'd have to find myself another one to support."

However, as neither Scotland or the Republic of Ireland have qualified for the competition, he plans to support England.

A FOOTBALL "widow" who scooped nearly a quarter of a million pounds on the season's outcome says her husband is using the World Cup as an opportunity to get even.

Angela Taylor hit the headlines last week after announcing she won £242,391.66 on who would win contests including the Premiership, FA Cup and Scottish Leagues.

She says she started with just one £5 bet on a Manchester United game three years ago and has used her winnings to gamble greater figures - before placing a £2,000 accumulator with William Hill online.

Angela, from Wilmslow, said the win meant she got her own back after having to listen to her husband and son talking about football.

But husband Austin claims he will get even during this summer's competition.

Angela has bet on Brazil being one of the teams to make it to the World Cup final in July, but she says her husband has laughed at this prediction - while refusing to reveal which national team he has placed his money on.

While admitting to knowing very little about international football, she said England stood a good chance against Trinidad and Paraguay in the first group stage - but she wasn't so sure about our third match against Sweden.

She said: "It could go either way with Sweden. We don't know whether Rooney will be on the teamsheet, and Owen damaged his metatarsal.

"I think with Rooney and Gerrard we're going to be hard to beat. I've even said I'd give up my winnings to see Rooney back on the team sheet, but we're going to have to wait and see."

She said any other football widows who wanted to share tips could contact her at angela@footballwidowsunited.com.