WRAPUP 1-Soccer-Crime rears head, Spain send shudder to rivals | Reuters: "Crime struck the World Cup on Wednesday when gunmen held up journalists after Spain proved their favourites' status with a 6-0 friendly win.
Two days before kickoff for the first World Cup on African soil, locals are pumping up the atmosphere with 'vuvuzela' trumpets and multi-coloured South African flags everywhere to be seen.
Robbers marred the party mood, however, and sent a reminder of South African crime levels rivalling anywhere outside a war-zone by raiding journalists from Portugal and Spain in a lodge at scenic Magaliesburg town, north of Johannesburg.
They rifled through rooms of sleeping reporters to steal equipment and cash. 'It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me,' said Portuguese photographer Antonio Simoes, who woke up and was held at gunpoint."
Two days before kickoff for the first World Cup on African soil, locals are pumping up the atmosphere with 'vuvuzela' trumpets and multi-coloured South African flags everywhere to be seen.
Robbers marred the party mood, however, and sent a reminder of South African crime levels rivalling anywhere outside a war-zone by raiding journalists from Portugal and Spain in a lodge at scenic Magaliesburg town, north of Johannesburg.
They rifled through rooms of sleeping reporters to steal equipment and cash. 'It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me,' said Portuguese photographer Antonio Simoes, who woke up and was held at gunpoint."
