FIFA Fever: Indian fans go crazy for the World Cup

New Delhi: FIFA World Cup 2014 is under way and with the round of 16 beginning soon. It has been raining goals this year and we also witnessed some major upsets like of Spain and England early exit which left the fans gloomy.The whole world has been painted with FIFA colors and the cricket crazy nation India is also not behind.World cup fever is everywhere. Though India is not playing in this world cup, still people are anxious to see the matches. Football fans in India are all set for the mega carnival to begin and they are ready with some crazy stuff and creations. Markets are full with FIFA goodies and apart from that many artists are also creating their sculptures to welcome the FIFA 2014.Let's see some pics from around the country about Indian soccer fans:Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Wednesday created sculptures, including a world cup trophy, in Odisha to mark the beginning of the football world cup in Brazil. Besides the trophy, Pattnaik created sand sculptures of a mini stadium with a football and on the opening match between Brazil and Croatia on the beach of Puri, about 55 km from here. He used about 15 tonnes of sand and took seven hours to complete these sculptures.Another sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo has created a sand sculpture at the golden sea-beach (near Light House), Puri, situated at a distance of 65 km, from Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, to celebrate the opening of 2014 FIFA World Cup.A gift shop owner displays a football boot-shaped pouch adorned with Brazilian national team colours ahead of the forthcoming FIFA World CUP 2014 in Brazil.A gift shop window is decorated with mugs in colours of various football playing countries.Local Indian footballers clean cutout portraits of Brazilian soccer player Neymar (R) and Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi. He has been a hero for his side this year scoring a winning goal in both the matches so far. Football fever is griping the sport fans in India as a kite maker arrange some special kites depicting the national flags of the teams participating in the FIFA World Cup. Local players in India practicing some cool football tricks.After IPL is over, Indian sport fans are now ready for soccer festival. Even small children are not away from this game.Kolkata artist Amit Pal showing the smallest (height less than half inch) replica of world Cup Trophy made of soil, on his finger top.Sweets made with the flags of the participating countries in the 'World Cup' being exhibited for sale at a sweet shop.