German Garbage Treasures

Setting up the massive set design for the draw that was watched by hundreds of millions is probably a pretty exciting thing for a decorator.

On Dec. 9, Matthias Blume helped to do just that. But while supermodel-turned-host Heidi Klum and the soccer greats got to leave right after the show, Blume stayed on to help clean things up.

After the set design had been taken down, a few garbage containers were still standing around in Leipzig's convention center. One of them attracted Blume's attention, as three blue bags with the logo of world soccer federation FIFA were lying inside.

Blume opened the bags and found 32 pieces of orange paper that had played the leading role in the TV extravaganza. Written on them were the names of the soccer teams that will participate in the World Cup next year and they had been used in the draw.

"I couldn't believe it -- why would anyone throw these away," Blume told his local paper in the eastern German town of Magdeburg.

Not that Blume himself seems too attached to them. Remembering how another young man made a fortune by selling a car previously owned by Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year, he decided to post the papers on online auction house eBay.

He's accepting bids until Christmas and hopes to make 3,200 euros ($3,840).

"It would be great if I could get 100 euros per piece," he said.

At least the "Germany" ticket has already surpassed Blume's goal as someone is currently willing to pay 261 euros for it.