World-More than 100,000 Germans, Swedes descend on Munich

MUNICH, June 24 (Reuters) More than 100,000 German and Swedish fans crowded into Munich today ahead of the first knockout game of the World Cup, turning the Bavarian capital into a sea of national colours on a boiling hot day.

Although only a fraction of them had a ticket for the clash between hosts Germany and Sweden, they filled the centre of town with singing and dancing before heading to public viewing areas.

While the Germans clad in black, red and gold held a numerical advantage, the Swedes in their blue and yellow were holding their own in merry rallies that broke out on the way to the stadium and viewing areas with their big video screens.

''The Germans have been incredibly nice to us,'' said Susanne Bygden, 38, a medical student from Vannes, Sweden. ''But let's wait and see what happens later.'' Zak Shafi, a computer specialist from northern Sweden, said the Germans were being overly confident.

''They keep saying they 'feel sorry' for us because they think they will win,'' he said. ''But we've had a great time.

Everywhere you go people are singing and dancing together.'' RICH RIVALRY The teams share a rich 95-year rivalry. West Germany knocked Sweden out in the quarter-finals when they last met at a World Cup in 1974 while Sweden won an epic 1958 semi-final clash.

Angry Germans refused to sell Swedish tourists petrol after that 1958 defeat and Swedish food was taken off restaurant menus. Some Swedish companies are reportedly worried about another negative reaction if Sweden knock Germany out.

''I can't imagine anything like that happening again,'' said Michael Lange, 35, a project manager from Berlin who took a six-hour ride in a train packed with 1,000 German fans. ''The Swedes are lovable people.'' Some of the fans dressed in Sweden colours were actually Austrians who came across the border to cheer the Scandinavians.

''Deutschland ade, Schweden ole (Goodbye Germany, Go Sweden),'' they sang.

Munich authorities expect more than 100,000 visitors to the city. The stadium holds 66,000 while some 60,000 are expected at the public viewing area in Olympia park with its giant screens.

About 20,000 Swedes are expected inside the stadium.

''We'll be outnumbered in there,'' said Sweden fan Robert Nilsson, a coal miner from Gellivare. ''But we'll still be heard.'' REUTERS DH RK1933