Bhubaneswar, June 12: By the time the hosts Brazil took on Croatia in the opening game of FIFA World Cup, football lovers were all gung-ho about the carnival, but members of Odia film fraternity appeared to be more of cricket lovers.

“I am such a huge fan of Manchester United and Arsenal, that my heart sort of beats for England. But I think England being in the group of death will not make it to play-offs and so I am supporting Germany,” quipped Subhash Mohanty, a freelance photographer. Like him, many other die-hard fans of the beautiful game were eagerly biding time for the carnival to begin.

But the Odia cinestars seemed to have little interest. Avishek Rath, a budding actor, said that though he would watch the tournament, but he loved cricket more.

Actor Samaresh Routray was not even sure if he would watch the matches. Actress Riya though saw some games of the last World Cup, but at present she is only aware of Messi and Ronaldo. Ask her about M.S. Dhoni and she cannot stop raving.

Not all stars are indifferent. Arindam and Sambeet, who have grown up playing football, would be watching all the games. While Arindam is rooting for Argentina, Sambeet wants Portugal to lift the trophy.

“I was big fan of Brazil when the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos used to play. Neymar is not of the same class. On the contrary, Messi who could not do much in the last World Cup would redeem himself in this one,” said Arindam. Sambeet, a goalkeeper in his playing days, said Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon was the below the bar.

Among the pretty stars, Jhilik turned out to be follower of the sport. She, too, would be cheering for Argentina. “I will make sure I find some time between the shooting schedules to watch the games,” she said.