Kolkata: With the FIFA World Cup™ a little more than a month away, Kolkata is in the grip of soccer fever.
The metropolis' die hard soccer fans have already started picking their selling and engaging themselves in furous and at time, stressful soccer banter at street corners.
The city's attachment with football brings in good business. Shops selling sports items have begun stocking up on various World Cup items like jerseys and other soccer items.
"With the onset of the World Cup, there are people who purchase flags and there are some who prefer buying the cloth for stitching. When the match starts, on the one side we have Argentina, and on the other, England and Brazil. People hoist flags and wear jerseys to show their support" said Keshab De, a shopkeeper.
Kolkata's sport lovers are known for their ability to create the appropriate ambience for such a massive sports event like the World Cup. So, it does not matter to them that the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ is being held in Germany.
Gopal Deb, a buyer, said, "We wear the jersey of the country which we support. We then, purchase photographs and with mutual support for the teams, the photographs are hung along the streets, along with the flags till the match continues."
Interestingly, the craze for Brazil's yellow and green jersey is maximum. Argentina's white and blue stripped jersey comes second. Demand is expected of England, Italy , France and Germany.
"Brazil is my favoriate team. It is must that we stay awake the whole night and watch the match. When Brazil is playing, there is no question of leaving it at any point of time. Be it Brazil or Argentina, the match has to be viewed," said Rana Burman, another buyer.
While the fans wear jerseys of the teams that they support, the local clubs decorate their areas with various souvenirs depending on the mood in the locality .
"We also keep souvenirs like batches, flags, bags, wrist bands and so. We sell them in small quantities," said Sanjeev, a seller.
The posters of football icons like Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho or England's David Beckham or Germany's Michael Ballack or France's Zinedine Zidane have replaced the posters of Bollywood stars at roadside poster shops.
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