Euromeisterschaft

I've been wanting to share for a while about the phenomenon (how do you even spell that?!) that has taken this little town by storm. Germans don't seem to be overly patriotic from the outset. Their daily lives are not consumed by thier black red and gold flags, nor do they really hang them up anywhere. Its something that always struck me when  I went to the States, how many flags you see around!
But wait for a Tournament of some sport on a big enough level and you'll be reminded every 5 metres that you live in Germany! At the beginning of the month, the Football (aka soccer) European Cup started. Germany qualified along with 15 other nations to compete in stadiums in the Ukraine and Poland for the title of European Champion. People stick flags on thier cars to dance in the wind while they drive down the road, thier little side mirrors have jackets in the colors of the flag on them. You see exactly how many people bought a Tricot of the German team ( approximately 80% of the population bought the white ones, 13% the green and 3% the black.) and then how many other bits and pieces displaying Black Red and Gold you could possibly imagine.

The crowd

The City council also got into the act by putting on a "Public Viewing" for the residents. This is basically a huge tv screen in the local park to watch the games on for free... soaking up the atmosphere, soaking up the beer thrown whenever a goal was scored by "us", and partying on disturbing the neighbourhood on the walk home ( because really, why are you sleeping when we won this game?)

I went with a few friends to have the experience, which was a lot of fun despite coming home smelling of cigarette smoke and being drenched with beer. And I am glad I did... especially since last night, Germany lost the race to be Euromeisters.... to Italy...

Peter getting into the spirit of things :)