Pop sensation Shakira Flies with German soccer team to South Africa

Lufthansa’s new A380 makes its first long-haul maiden flight carrying international pop star, Shakira and the German soccer team to South Africa for the 2010 soccer World Cup. Shakira will perform at the opening of the World Cup singing the official song ‘This time for South Africa’ at the inauguration ceremony.

Departing from Frankfurt, the pop sensation and the German squad were given a grand send-off. Germany’s new captain, Philip Lahm commented: “We’re looking forward with great anticipation to the World Cup.

Despite missing key players like the injured Michael Ballack and with the youngest team at a major soccer event in 76 years, the German team is hoping to add the 2010 World Cup title to their previous successes in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Johannes Scherer, the host at the A380 take-off, commented on Germany’s match against Australia: “Every team that’s beaten Australia at a World Cup has gone on to become World Champion. That was the case in 1974, when Germany won the Cup for the second time, and again in 2006 when Italy won.”

Germany kicks off against Australia in its first match in its round in Durban on 13 June. German coach and manager Jogi Loew said that the team will be training hard prior to the game: “There are minor details we have to work on but we’ll iron them out.”

The A380 landed in Johannesburg at 7.10 hours local time Monday morning.

Football fans can view the arrival of the German team as well as pictures of Shakira on Lufthansa’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/lufthansa.