I saw this flyer in Cologne's downtown pedestrian area today. Someone looking for England-Sweden tickets. Apparently a professional ticket tout. Okay, I thought to myself. Let's find out how much they are willing to pay. England-tickets are supposed to be among the most precious ones in this year's World Cup.

I called one of the numbers on the flyer and "Harry" answered the phone. With an English accent he offered me 1000 Euro each for two tickets (good seats).  The original price would have been 100 Euro. He even would give me tickets for another, less demanded game in Cologne, for example Togo versus France. So I wouldn't have to abstain from going to the stadium. And I would earn the dough for my summer holiday too. Time to languish, isn't it?

If it poses a problem that my name is imprinted on the ticket? "Not at all", Harry replied, "these tickets are for business clients, decent guys, no problem." Of course what Harry didn't say is that FIFA has got the name of the original ticket bearer and if Michael Owen gets hit in the head with a beer mug it is my name that is shown on their computer. I will never be able to travel to England again.

My luck I don't have any England-Sweden tickets to sell. But Harry keeps calling me on my phone asking for them. Bollocks!