26 June - Germany vs England - Klassika!! These two have always been BIG soccer rivals. I went to downtown Kaiserslautern where they have a Fan Zone set up to watch the Germany World Cup soccer games on a HUGE outdoor screen. There were maybe 3-4ooo people there. It was a nice day, sunny, about 80 degrees and a slight breeze. There were about 15 England fans there in the middle. It was a great atmosphere - alot of Flags, people with flags on their faces, shirts, hats, etc and of course food and beer!!! Very nice atmosphere as well. The crowd just eruped when Germany scored a goal - and they scored 4. Everyone was happy. Flags waving, screaming, singing. You just cannot beat being in Europe during the World Cup. After the game, everyone filled the streets waving flags, blowing horns, screaming, etc. Restaurants are filled with people and have TVs set-up to watch games. You don't have the same atmosphere in the US with football or any other sport. Really, Soccer is the only major league sport. In the US, we have the big 4, NASCAR and Soccer is only popular around World Cup time. Here, soccer is part of life - the same as schnitzel, fries with mayo and beer.
Many of the older Germans are leary of showing outward pride in Germany and that is understandable given the past they remember. The younger Germans are quite happy to paint their faces, wear goofy hats or hair bows and wave flags everywhere and are proud to scream and sing at the top of their lungs. Even some immigrants are showing German national pride and that is a good thing. Germany is ever growing as a nation of immigrants. Roughly 18 of the 82 million people in Germany have immigrant roots. 9 of the 23 players on the German WC team have immigrant roots. Unfortunately, there are those 1% of idiots that still want ethnic purity and are unhappy when Turks fly the German flag at their home or store. Today, Germany is a beautiful country with a diverse mixture of people. A temendous amount of history and everywhere were we have been - wonderful people and great food! Germany is moving on from it's past and building a great future. We are happy to be here and enjoy all Germany has to offer.
I was asked by a German friend of mine what I thought about the US losing to Ghana. I said I was happyt he US won the group and how Ghana played a much better game than the US and how we did not take advantage of our opportunities. I asked him the difference between the US team and the German team in the World Cup. The US is supposed to lose. When we lose - that is the way it is supposed to happen. Germany loses - it is a day of mourning!!
Saturday, I will go back to the FanZone with Laura from Berlin. We will watch, drink, scream, and yell with the same pride as everyone "DEUSTCHLAND!! DEUSTCHLAND!!"
about 10 sec after a goal to make it 3-1. I have video but it won't post here. You can see the England fans in the white shirts in the front on the rightof the photo. One has the England flag on her back. Don't make me tell you what it looks like. the TV screen is the black thing in the back.
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