Germany, on the other hand, is playing tonight (having made it to the semi finals now 4 times in a row) and I am at a bit of a loss on how to describe just HOW big a deal the World Cup is here in Germany.
I truly do not believe there is any sporting event in the US that garners as much attention fro such a large percentage of the population (hey, even Rio, David and I, not normally fans of televised sports are all loving watching these games--all of them). This is much bigger than the World Series, bigger than the Super Bowl, bigger than the Olympics. . .
Here in Germany, it is rare to see the German flag displayed, other than on government buildings, or occasionally at a park, etc along with other national flags (for example, around the fountain in our town the German flag is flown, but so is the US, the Italian, etc--all equally high). The American tendency to display our flag, and flag related decor (as well as wear our flag) is something that every German visitor we had while in the US, and many people we talk to now after visits, comments on with surprise. This level of nationalism is not the norm in most of the world, and particularly not in Germany, where there is a fear of too much pride in the fatherland, thanks to the horrific history of where that led less than a century ago.
That all changes during the World Cup. I am told that it was the 2006 World Cup when Germans finally felt, for the first time since WWII that they could show pride in their nation and their team. The idea sure picked up steam quickly, both during 2010 and now, in this month of the tournament, it is all Germany all the time.
Suddenly, a good quarter of the cars on the road are decked out in flags:
Many homes are decorated as well:
(in a town with a very large immigrant population, we are far from the only family with some conflicts as to who to root for!)
Virtually every business has flags and other patriotic decor up. I had my camera out at the local Welde Brewery this Sunday and thought to photograph the exterior fence:
You will notice it is also advertising a "Public Viewing"--a football (sorry Americans, I learned the sport over here, and really American football involves very little footwork--so I will keep referring this world wide sport as football (like nearly every other nation) and not soccer!
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes! Public Viewing (which I also hear is catching on in the US) is just watching the game on a large screen, in a public area--so that you get all of the thrill of being in the crowd of fans while watching. Unfortunately, you also get to breath in all the cigarette smoke from smoking fans, so we avoid these (there are at least three in even our little town--it is a big thing). Here is the area Welde has set up for fans to come and watch (at no charge):
Lest you doubt the German fan tenacity, people happily stay and watch and cheer even in the rain.
Stores are filled with German and Football themed merchandise and decor (this must be a marketer's dream come true)
Even unexpected things, like high heels and toothbrushes get into the act:
and, of course, during games everyone wears t shirts, face paint, etc--just like in the stands. Even Rio and I are decked out:
Tonight, the semi final games is at 10:00 pm. Rio's school (no, they are not out for summer break yet!) will have a delayed start tomorrow--knowing that the kids will be up late watching and (hopefully) celebrating a win. Many factories and offices will also open late tomorrow (several unions negotiated later start times on days following late games Germany plays, and some negotiated shift work being changed so that no one is working during the games themselves).
So today, I have my Germany shirt on, and Rio has his, and tonight we, along with most everyone in the country, will be glued to a screen, cheering on the German National Team, and if all goes well, later tonight we will be kept awake by joyous shouting, honking and firecrackers!
--Deutschland!
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