In pictures: World Cup kitsch

Football and shopping come together at the World Cup to create an extensive collection of kitsch. Never mind the game - what are this tournament's must have items? Claire Heald went to find out.

There are hats on offer, but in headgear it is also all about Mohicans, bandanas, flowers and 'Winkehande' - German for deeley boppers.

Practicality is key. Head umbrellas protected these South Korea and Japan fans from the sun and the showers in Cologne.

A bargain 9.95 euros buys three thongs in a plastic football. They come in the host nation's colours, Brazil's and Italy's. The Italian men here are snapping them up as gifts.

A selling point is the noise that items create. But these long trumpets have also been used as 'yards of ale' by revellers. Rike Wilf's 'hupe' horn was a birthday present from a friend.

Patriotism is also a pull. Many Germans are saying 'Aloha' with the Hawaiian-style leis - at only one euro a pop.

The chair is an import, brought over from England by three Kent lads. It has built-in beer rests in the arms, but Lilian Wilden, 3, finds them useful for holding ice-cream.

Football even does handbags. Claudia Buchter says her World Cup one draws howls of envy in Cologne: "When I tell them I bought it over in Berlin, they just say 'ooh'."

Don't assume the World Cup ignores fashion at the high end. Kristina Kirschner paid 75 euros for her skirt. Sebastian McGowan hopes his lights-alive t-shirt, "which everyone strokes" will be a big hit with the ladies.

Despite all the wares on offer - or perhaps because of them - one department store has succumbed to the fact that some men would rather sleep through the shopping.

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