Priest's blessings, warlock magic ahead of World Cup opener
- 10 years ago
The final touches before the 2014 World Cup kicks off in Brazil on Thursday.
Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue lights up the capital, dressed in the colours of each participating soccer team in homage to them one at a time.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER OMAR FROM CHRIST THE REDEEMER SANCTUARY SAYING:
"We are happy to receive in our country the 32 nations for this World Cup, and today the Christ with open arms makes a beautiful tribute showing that Brazilian people are welcoming, Brazilian people are peaceful and for this World Cup to be an unforgettable moment for all of us."
But it's these colours that are most important to the football mad country.
Brazil will do whatever it takes to boost its team's World Cup hopes.
The host country's not only getting a priest's blessing ahead of the opener.... it's hedging its bets with the skills of one of Brazil's most famous warlocks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN WARLOCK, CHIK JEITOSO, SAYING
Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue lights up the capital, dressed in the colours of each participating soccer team in homage to them one at a time.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER OMAR FROM CHRIST THE REDEEMER SANCTUARY SAYING:
"We are happy to receive in our country the 32 nations for this World Cup, and today the Christ with open arms makes a beautiful tribute showing that Brazilian people are welcoming, Brazilian people are peaceful and for this World Cup to be an unforgettable moment for all of us."
But it's these colours that are most important to the football mad country.
Brazil will do whatever it takes to boost its team's World Cup hopes.
The host country's not only getting a priest's blessing ahead of the opener.... it's hedging its bets with the skills of one of Brazil's most famous warlocks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN WARLOCK, CHIK JEITOSO, SAYING