When the German national team takes
the field, all of Germany lights up the television screen in hopes that their county
can retain their status top team in the world. German soccer has been
overshadowed by the heartbreaking losses in the final stages of world play over
the last decade. In each of the last
three world cups Germany has made it in to the semifinals before being beaten
by either themselves or an inferior soccer nation. In the last two European Championships,
the Germans have made it to the finals and semifinals respectively only to have
their hopes dashed by the Spanish and Italians.
Although
championships have eluded them in recent year’s fans still go crazy for their
beloved team. Germans were always known as the country for stressing over the
game until the final tally was official, drinking a few beers and hitting the
hay. Now, they're donning silly wigs, draping
the bonnets of their BMWs in German flags and racing through town at high speed
chanting "Deutschland" into the early hours.
Hundreds of thousands of people
take to the streets of German cities after their national team’s matches during
the night draped in their national colors, whooping, cheering, hugging each
other and honking their car horns to celebrate their teams. But few could have believed that their team either warranted that kind of reaction
or has much chance of winning the next match because of recent failure in later
rounds of world events.
In recent years Germany has evolved into a country that
parties all night as fans paint the city in support of German victory over
their foes. Fans congregate in the nearest city for “Carnival.” The carnival atmosphere has been completed by
a new wave of football fancy dress consisting not just of team shirts but of
black, red and gold feathery garlands worn around the neck along with face
paint and funny glasses.
Similar
to an American city after their team wins a major championship. All of Germany
rushes to party the night away as a result of a German win in pool play during
the world cup. Recently to enhance the experience Berlin puts televisions
throughout the city in order to create a fan friendly experience. Each match is
like the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl happens about five times a year in Germany
on a down year.
Next
week we will look at Mexico as we travel outside of Europe to North America.
The Mexicans have a variety of unique traditions that separate themselves from
the rest of the world. They have a rich history in soccer that hasn't necessarily
led to world dominance but to love of the game.
