Cologne: One of Germany`s most famous footballing cities

May 17, 2006, 15:52 GMT

Cologne - Cologne is one of Germany`s best known football teams and although the club has struggled in recent years and was relegated from the Bundesliga this season immediately after its return to the top flight, it boasts a stadium second to none.

A 72-metre high light tower has made Cologne`s new 46,000-seater stadium one of the most beautiful football arenas in the world as well as creating a landmark in the west of the city.

It`s no wonder that the words 'welcome to FC Cologne, welcome to the most beautiful city in Germany,' are repeated at every match before kick-off.

The stadium will host four group games and one game from the round of 16.

The other passion in Cologne is Carnival where the million inhabitants of the great city on the banks of the river Rhine, let their hair down for three days, beginning on the Thursday before the beginning of Lent.

The city`s many bars stay open until the early hours with drinking and dancing the order of the day. On the Sunday, there is massive and colourful procession through Cologne`s streets.

Cologne`s most famous landmark is its breathtaking Gothic cathedral, whose construction took no less than 632 years to complete.

Cologne continues to be the bastion of Catholicism in Germany. For the natives of Cologne.

Group games:

June 11: Angola v Portugal 
June 17: Czech Republic v Ghana
June 20: Sweden v England 
June 23: Togo v France

Round of 16:

June 26: WG v RH