An electric pole blocks the bike lane around the Stadium area in the capital. The country has a large soccer fan base but little to root for in terms of national team success. With more than 65pc of the population under the age of 35, the largely unemployed youth find respite watching European soccer matches. It has fed perfectly into the burgeoning sports betting market with 55 companies offering their services. The half-a-million Birr fee requirement for the betting license has not deterred prospective investors as six companies have gone into the business after the fee was raised from 100 Br.