BERLIN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Of the 736 players
participating at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 60 will celebrate their birthday
during the competition, said FIFA Communications Division on Wednesday.
Furthermore, two coaches and two referees will also mark a birthday between 9 June and 9 July.
Of the 64 competition 'birthday boys', six, mostly
Frenchmen, will be celebrating in style as their birthdays coincide with a match
day of their home nation.
They are :
KLOSE Miroslav (09.06.1978), a German striker who
will mark his 28th birthday by playing in the opening match against Costa Rica.
MALOUDA Florent (13.06.1980), who will turn 26 on the
day of France's first match during the tournament against Switzerland.
LEMERRE Roger (18.06.1941). The Frenchman who coaches
Tunisia is the only coach to celebrate a birthday/match day at the group stage.
His birthday coincides with France's match against South Korea.
LAMPARD Frank (20.06.1978). On the occasion of his
28th birthday, he will be partying on the pitch with his team mates against
Sweden.
And two maestros on a same day: ZIDANE Zinedine
(23.06.1972) and VIEIRA Patrick (23.06.1976). They will not only share a
birthday, but also celebrate it by playing for their national team against
newcomers Togo in their final group match. Enditem
