By Subhash K Jha

First John Abraham, then Anil Kapoor almost didn't make it to the World Cup finals. By Saturday evening Anil Kapoor had still not left for the World Cup. And it was unlikely that he would do so.

Finally he did make it.

Sighed Anil, "Some work had come up. It looked like I wouldn't be able to go to Johannesburg although I was booked packed and had seats at the stadium. But I finally did make it. I am the brand ambassador and this is the biggest sports event. I somehow made it, " said Anil on Saturday evening as he left for South Africa.

Another football enthusiast Dino Morea too seemed unsure of making it to Johannesburg. "I'm in London all set to go. But my air ticket is not confirmed. If it doesn't happen I'll just have to watch it on television here in London."

Dino is a huge football fan. "I play football and I love watching it. I was supporting Italy because I am half-Italian. Now I'm supporting Spain because they've never won the World Cup."

The football fever has never been more pronounced in Bollywood. With the the World Cup Finals around the corner many stars have taken off for Johannesburg to witness the grand finals.

Sanjay Dutt left his pregnant wife in Mumbai to be with his two non-filmy best-friends from South Africa (name withheld on request) for the finals.

Says Sanju, "I wouldn't miss the World Cup for the world. I'm the hugest football fan. I place it above cricket in my scheme of joy. I watched the silliest of games in the semi-finals. For the finals I had to be here (in Johannesburg)."

Dutt was rooting for Spain all the way. So is Jackky Bhagnani. Producer Vashu Bhagnani's son had apparently secured some of best seats in the stadium for himself and his five friends from Mumbai.

Speaking on the eve of the match from Johannesburg Jackky exulted, "Man, I've the best view possible! I could never afford these seats. They are among the best in the stadium. An industrialist friend from Russia got me these seats. I can't begin to express my excitement. I feel like a 8-year old who has got his favourite toy.Me and my friends have our teeshirts caps and flags ready. We're rooting for Spain all the way."

Adding to Jackky's excitement is the fact that this is the first World Cup match he's attending.

Shah Rukh Khan and Imran Khan have already tweeted about their presence in Johannesburg for the World Cup finals.Shah Rukh's best friend Karan Johar couuldn't make it. Other football enthusiasts from Bollywood who had to miss the event are Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor who are shooting in Colombo and Delhi, respectively. And couldn't get away even for a day.