Costa Rica is just two weeks away from its moment in the world spotlight, when the National Soccer Team will face Germany in the opening match of the World Cup, June 9 in Germany.
If you’re lucky – or if you’re a government employee – you can catch the match that Friday morning at 10 a.m. Costa Rican time, as President Oscar Arias has decided to give all public workers a half-day off to watch the game.
La Selección Nacional – fondly known as La Sele – arrived in Germany May 17, the second World Cup team to arrive in the host country, the daily Al Día reported. On the 20-hour flight, forward Cristian Bolaños celebrated his 22nd birthday.
Following some sightseeing and rollercoaster riding, La Sele began its series of warm-up matches Saturday, in Lahm, against Breitner’s Bam team, a collection regional players brought together by former German national team player Paul Breitner. Facing tougher-than-expected competition, La Sele managed to slip in two goals in the second half for a 2-0 win.
The team continued its training in Terrassa, Spain, with a match Wednesday against a Catalonia select team, but lost the match 2-0.
