Osvaldo - The most unlikely of fans

The first look at Osvaldo and everything seems to be in balance. Crowds flood the deck of his restaurant "Tia Nenzinha" and small Brazilian flags flutter as the sea wind travels into a small window at the front of the restaurant.

And on the television, the World Cup plays out, of course. And whenever Osvaldo gets called into the kitchen or over to the bar, he hovers a moment or two just to check the score. The guests just have to wait a moment or two. It's the World Cup after all.

As we ordered our dinner, he realised quickly that we were from Germany. He disappeared with a grin and returned but not with our drinks.

Instead he returned resplendent in Germany colours and a Germany flag in hand. We were a little puzzled and Osvaldo realized. He scurried away and came back again, this time with a photo album in hand. Inside were pictures of his last trip to Germany where he took in the sights of Berlin, Cologne, Bonn and non-other than Heimerzheim.

The latter is where he has family and friends, and he tells us his tales and shows us his teenage photos. "This is Cauli, a good friend of the family. He's from Porto Seguro," said Osvaldo before adding, proudly, "He lives in Germany now and is in the Cologne youth team. He's a great player!"

Time yet for dinner

Osvaldo himself used to play once, as he revealed to us with a photo from behind the bar. He's wearing the black-and-white shirt of Botafogo, for whom he used to play when they were in the Brazilian second division. He points to the number 10 on his shorts and with his hands in the air, he hints that he was once a really top player. We nod appreciatively.

And then Osvaldo goes one better and after his third rummage in the kitchen, he returns with an FC Köln training jacket over the top of his Germany jersey. We couldn't believe our eyes. Osvaldo, the Germany and Köln fan from Porto Seguro burst out in laughter. The guests are impressed as we are. Dinner took it's time to arrive, but it mattered little.