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EURO 2008 BRIEFS

AFP, Vienna
The 2008 European football championship in brief:
PLAYING GOD
If God played football, would he play in defence or midfield? Those who have always wondered may want to head to Vienna's Maria Treu church on May 30. The parish will organise a discussion about God's passing skills and other related matters during the annual "Long Night of the Church". No word as to whether God himself will be answering questions.
FAN BOOZE
Three breweries in the region of Linz, in Upper Austria, have created a special Euro 2008 beer: the Fan Lager. Sold in a pack of 16, with each bottle decorated with the flag of another participating team, the beer will be available from April to July, but only in Upper Austria. So visiting fans will have to travel a few dozen kilometres from Vienna or Salzburg to get their hands on the special lager. Those attending games in Innsbruck or Klagenfurt may want to opt for the local beer instead.
TAKING (TIME) OFF
Austrian airports arc ensuring that their air traffic controllers will be at their posts during the Euro, by giving them extra time off. In the meantime, they will have their work cut out for them as air traffic is expected to increase by 20 per cent between the comings and goings of football fans and Austrians leaving on holiday.
BANKING ON A WIN
Austrian fans have a new reason to cheer their team when it meets Germany in Vienna on June 16. In memory of Austria's victory against the Mannschaft in Cordoba in 1978, the Erste Bank is offering a special Euro 2008 investment package that will pay an additional one per cent of interest if Austria beats its northern neighbour, and 3.2 per cent if it wins 3-2 as it did in Cordoba.
UPHILL BATTLE
The owner of a luxury resort near Bad Kleinkirchheim in the south-ern Austrian province of Carinthia has built a unique football pitch... on a slope. Because Austria is known for its mountains, the owner of the Almdorf hotel says. But as with other alpine pursuits, this one does not come without risks. A line-marking machine recently broke free while working on the pitch and headed for goal, only stopping 500 metres further in the courtyard of a neighbouring farm.
EXPECT EMOTIONS
This may be the motto of this year's championships, but in the event emotions boil over a Vienna
psychologist is there to help. Match results can lead to overwhelming joy or an "inner catastrophe," according to Henriette Wursag, who is offering a seminar with advice on how to handle such emotions. In case of a defeat: breathe deeply and avoid aggressive language. In case of a victory: enjoy. "Prolific goals would actually be beneficial for the health and well-being of fans," says Wursag. Fans will no doubt agree.
TO BEER OR NOT
TO BEER?
Quenching your thirst could come at a high cost during the Euro in June. Two cents for every beverage sold in Vienna's public viewing areas will go to training future Austrian athletes. So foreign supporters might want to reconsider their loyalty to their national team. Or face dehydration.
TICKED OFF
Football fans should come to Austria well-armed against ticks. Health authorities arc recommending that Euro fans get vaccinated before making the trip to Austria as these little bugs can transmit tick -borne meningoencephalitis, a potentially deadly infectious disease. Whether or not they follow football, the ticks will no doubt rejoice at having more victims than usual to bite.