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Survey shows Brazil will win World Cup
(news24.com)
Updated: 2006-06-05 14:18

A majority of Germans see Brazil winning the World Cup, but only one in 10 think the host nation will do it.

A survey compiled for the main ARD television network showed 54% of those questioned favouring the South Americans to defend their title.

A total of 10% thought Germany would win, while 4% fancied Italy and another 4% Argentina. A total of 21% thought Germany would reach the final, while 14% saw them failing to make it past the group stage.

The survey also showed that 93% were happy with the security arrangements for the tournament, which kicks off on June 9 with the host country playing Costa Rica in Munich.

A recent string of xenopobic attacks had raised fears of violence targeted at visitors to the World Cup.

Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, who is in charge of World Cup security, said he did not expect the threat of right-wing violence to increase during the month-long competition.