ON Friday, the production began of the 7,728,357 ballots for the election in February.  2,550,613 are for President, another 2,550,613 for representatives in the National Legislature, and another 2,550,613 for city council representatives.  

The printing will cost more than 100 Million Colones. 180 employees of the National Print Shop and The TSE will print 240,000 ballots every day.

The Costa Rican government has asked for explanations from the US in the death of Costa Rican Rigoberto Alpízar, at the hands of federal agents.  In an interview with Al Día, his brother Carlos retold the story of Alpízar’s wife Anne Beuchner who  was with him at the time.

" I didn’t see when they shot him, but I heard the explosions. When I got to where he was, I heard him calling me. It looked like he was conscious, but when I tried to get closer the police stopped me, handcuffed me and put a gun to my head. "   Carlos received the call "It was 6 am and she was just arriving home in Orlando. She was very emotional and we only spoke a little. She told me that she was held for over 4 hours in the airport.  They did not let her go until they had investigated her whole life, to top things off, their documents had been stolen in Ecuador, so she had no money, no passport, nothing.  Her mother had to go pick her up."

Jeanne Jentsch, Anne’s sister read a statement to the international press.  "Rigoberto Alpízar was kind, gentle, and giving."  In the Alpízar house in Rio Claro Golfito, only pain and uncertainty were present.  Nobody had an explanation for the events.  Nobody knew anything about his bipolar condition.  "Maybe it was something intimate that they kept private as a couple.  But he never told us anything about an illness.  We never saw any symptoms or sickness either.", said his brother.

Family and friends demanded explanations, and believe that Rigoberto did not deserve to die this way. Carlos said, "I want the whole world to know that my brother was not a terrorist. He loved the United States as much as his own country, he would never do something like that."

In a historic moment in the annals of Costa Rican soccer, the national team won the opportunity to play the very first game of the 2006 World Cup against the Germany.  As per World Cup tradition, the host country plays the first match against one team from its group.  Since it is the only match played at that time, and since it is the first match, literally the whole world is watching.  As the Polish team coach Pawel Janas said: ‘Playing the hosts is a great thing, it’s just a shame it isn’t the opening match. That would have been even nicer."

Costa Rica was the lucky team to get that match.  And while Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann expressed delight about his host team’s opponents at the 2006 World Cup, Franz Beckenbauer, the team to be wary of  the opening match. 

‘Opening matches have been embarrassing for the favourites and caused surprises. 1990 in Italy Argentina lost to Cameroon and in 2002 France lost to Senegal. I hope we won’t see another surprise,’  he said. ‘Costa Rica are delighted, who has the chance to play in front of an billion-strong audience in the opener? It is special for a small country like Costa Rica,’ he added.

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes agreed. ‘I liked the draw very much. We have a chance to advance. Germany are naturally favourites but that doesn’t mean they will beat everyone’ .  The Costa Rican players also expressed satisfaction at the opportunity. 

The team captain, Luis Marin of Alajuela said "Opening the world cup, you can’t put a price on it."  He also thought that the overall draw was favorable. "It’s not easy, but we can fight for a spot in the next round."  Costa Rica has appeared in the World Cup twice, in Italy 1990 and in Korea-Japan 2002.  The other 3 teams from CONCACAF were also commenting on their luck in the draw. 

Mexico was chosen to be a group leader in Group D.  As was to be expected, they are the strongest team in the group and should pass to the elimination rounds with little trouble.

The United States was a loser in the drawing.  While the real "group of death" has yet to be determined, Group E looks like a real possibity with Italy, Ghana, United States, and Czech Republic.  These are all proven winners, experienced in World Cup play and historically among the strongest teams in their regions. 

Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to have the opportunity to play against mother England and should have and outside shot at passing through. 

Costa Rica is estatic and feels like if they have any chance to beat Germany, it would be in the opening match.  Afterwards, they should have reasonable odds against Poland and Ecuador.

Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden

Group C
Argentina
Côte d’Ivoire
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Group E
Italy
Ghana
United States
Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia