World cup tidbits

Sweet slumber

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari got some laughs out of Neymar and journalists in a packed media conference at Itaquerao Stadium on Wednesday.

Asked if he was expecting a good night of sleep before Brazil's opening game on Thursday, he didn't hesitate to say he was at peace - at least with the soccer side of things.

"I always sleep well," he said. "I don't know if I do other things well, but I do sleep well. I'll sleep very well tonight, you can be sure of that."

Sitting next to Scolari, Neymar looked a bit surprised with the answer, but laughed when the coach started smiling. Neymar also made Scolari chuckle when he was told by a reporter to ask the coach a question.

After thinking for a bit, the Brazilian star said: "Will I play tomorrow?"

No jealousy

Wayne Rooney wasn't jealous watching former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Ballon d'Or award last month.

"I'm not a player who needs that, like Cristiano Ronaldo," the England striker said on Wednesday. "He has to have that and you admire him for having that. He wants ... his moments.

"It's more important for me to win trophies as a team. I've won (Professional Footballers' Association) player of the year, which is nowhere near as good as winning a trophy with Manchester United."

Working holiday

Some Ecuadoreans who have come to Brazil to watch the World Cup have taken on jobs to try to make extra money.

Freddy Tenorio said he came to Brazil with a group of about 15 people to see Ecuador play, but in between matches they will be selling World Cup-related products in front of stadiums hosting the games.

On Wednesday the 30-year-old was in front of Itaquerao Stadium, where Brazil will play Croatia in Thursday's opening game of the tournament.

Tenorio was selling everything from Brazil hats to scarves and flags. He and his friends will travel to the nation's capital of Brasilia, where Ecuador plays its first match on Sunday against Switzerland.

"Hopefully sales will be better there; so far it hasn't been very good here in Sao Paulo," Tenorio said.

Early risers

Along with the heat and humidity, the German team also has to cope with the unusually early start time for its World Cup opener against Portugal.

Monday's match in Salvador kicks off at 1 pm local time - 2.5 hours earlier than most Bundesliga games. Champions League and national team matches usually kick off in the late evening.

The German team has left it to individual players to decide how to best adjust.

"This is new for us, so we'll have to see how they adapt," said general manager Oliver Bierhoff.

There is no set time for breakfast, and a buffet has been opened so that players can decide when and what to eat. Practices have now been set for 1 pm to simulate conditions for the opener.

Sounds of Italy

Luigi Serrano was banging out the notes to the Neapolitan folk song Reginella at Casa Azzurri on Wednesday. He's the official singer at the venue the Italian soccer federation sets up at the World Cup and European Championship for media and sponsor activities.

As visitors sip strong espresso or sample a plate of pasta, they can listen to classic Italian tunes.

"I specialize in songs from the '60s, which are also very popular here in Brazil - songs by Peppino Di Capri, Mina, Ornella Vanoni," said Serrano, who works as a pianist and singer at the well-known Jackie O' club off the famed Via Veneto in Rome.

So who is the best singer on Italy's squad?

"I think (Antonio) Cassano, if I remember correctly. And he's a nice guy," Serrano said. " (Andrea) Pirlo is nice too, but I don't think he sings."

(China Daily 06/13/2014 page24)