The View from Germany a few Hours before World Cup Kickoff

June 9th, 2006 | by: WC Bob | View Comments

I just took a few minutes to walk around the streets of Berlin and there is a feeling of electricity in the air. People are going about their daily lives, but there seems to be an extra spring in everyone’s footsteps, including my own. Flags are hanging outside of apartment and car windows, and people are wearing Germany kits and colors. On television there is non-stop pregame coverage from Munich and around the country with a clock ticking down every last second until kickoff in the corner of the screen.

The talking heads are breaking down today’s games and debating feverously about the right strategies for each team. It sounds the same in any language.

Peter and Nick, our men on the scene in Munch, are among a crowd of football fans congregating outside the beautiful stadium. The crowd is largely wearing the colors of Germany but there are signs of Costa Rica fans who are singing and dancing in excellent spirit. People were told to show up a few hours before the game so they would have time to deal with security lines so the party has started early outside the stadium.

Nick writes: “There are massive lines to get in. The gate is about 1km away from the stadium and the security people are checking tickets for name identification, as well as performing body searches. It doesn’t appear they are checking ever person for ID but they might closer to the stadium entrance.”

In Gelsenkirchen, there are pictures of large numbers of fans from Poland on hand to support their team as it plays against Ecuador later tonight. With the host country playing on the same day, not as much attention is being paid to this game, but it also appears like there is a festive atmosphere where the fans are congregating.

Sean is on his way to the mini stadium in Berlin to watch the first game and to take some photos and videos of the crowd. The stadium has been erected to allow 10,000 to watch the games on a big screen television and is right near the fan mile where thousands more will also be taking in the action.

Make sure you check in with our photos and videos section after the games to see the sights and sounds from Munich and Berlin. We also encourage you to submit your own images there so we can see how you are celebrating the World Cup wherever you may be in the world.

Don’t forget that if you are near a computer during the games, I’ll be liveblogging the Germany-Costa Rica match and our man Trent will be delivering the blow-by-blow for Ecuador-Poland. Stop on by and leave your thoughts and comments while the game is being played.

It is going to be a great day of World Cup football!