Frankfurt fighting image problem

FRANKFURT, May 29 (Reuters) Frankfurt will try to shake off its image as a grey financial capital by proving it has a knack for the spectacular at the World Cup.

The small city on the river Main breathes power and money -- the European Central Bank and all major German banks have their headquarters here -- but is not at first glance one of Germany's more lively or attractive places.

Frankfurters like to refer to the place as ''Mainhattan'' for a collection of skyscrapers that are among the tallest in Europe but the comparison to New York City otherwise seems faintly absurd.

Most of the 50 million people landing each year at Frankfurt airport, the biggest in continental Europe, skip the city altogether, taking connecting flights or the high-speed trains that provide outstanding links with much of the rest of Europe.

There is an interesting collection of museums and a handsomely rebuilt main square, where Germany teams are traditionally welcomed home after successful tournaments.

There is little else, though, to attract the casual visitor to Frankfurt, especially when the influx of business travellers for the many trade fairs pushes hotel prices to scandalous highs.

Hotel rooms will be at a premium during the World Cup as well but that will not stop football fans packing the city for an attractive series of games.

HANDY LOCATION England play Paraguay here in their first match at the rebuilt Waldstadion on June 10 and the handy location will lead many fans to use the city as a base for the tournament.

That represents a good opportunity and the city wants to make use of it by staging two spectacular events.

Now that the planned opening gala in Berlin has been cancelled, Frankfurt believes its Sky Arena project will be remembered as the real opening ceremony.

From June 3-5, the city stages a huge light show, projecting photographs and other images on to 40 skyscrapers dotted around the city.

Gigantic close-ups of Ronaldo and Oliver Kahn leering into the night might not be to everyone's taste but it should be a striking way to celebrate the final build-up to the world's greatest sporting event.

The other sign of Frankfurt's ambition to shed its image is the choice of public viewing site.

While other towns and cities across Germany will show matches in squares or parks, Frankfurt has chosen the river Main itself, with a giant screen being erected on the water for fans to see from the banks.

More Reuters AY GC0933