Germans mourn as party ends abruptly
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE World Cup party in Germany came to an abrupt end on Wednesday that left millions heartbroken.
The euphoria that had swept the country during Germany's emphatic 4-1 and 4-0 wins over England and Argentina was replaced by despair and heartache in Berlin and elsewhere where tens of thousands watched in open-air public viewing venues.
"Es ist aus!" (It's over!) wrote the best-selling newspaper Bild in its online edition. "Germany in mourning."
Grown men and women were seen weeping at the fan mile in Berlin, where 350,000 people watched on giant screens in front of the Victory Column. Many in another crowd of 50,000 watching in Munich at the Olympic stadium also shed tears.
Germans had wrapped themselves - and their cars - in black, red and gold colors for the last month. Giant flags were draped from houses and buildings as pride swelled over the accomplishments of the dynamic young team that - with 11 players from immigrant families - became a potent symbol of integration and a modern Germany.
"The euphoria was so great and now the disappointment is even greater," said one fan.
Scintillating
German newspapers mourned the loss and wondered what happened to the scintillating team that captured the nation's hearts. "Aus der Traum" (The Dream is Over), Bild wrote in giant letters on its front page. "Caramba, were Spain good! They deserved to win. But we're proud of our lads."
In its match analysis, the paper said, "We lacked courage and cleverness. We didn't see any of the 'made-in-Germany' football that had so enthralled the world in the previous matches. Too much respect for the big names? Or were our heroes crippled by the high expectations?"
Daily Die Welt wrote: "This young team played their way into our hearts with elegance rather than drive. The multicultural team changed Germany. We used to be a land of complainers and pessimists. We're a different country now."
Guenter Netzer, an analyst for ARD television, agreed Germany played poorly. "It's impossible to keep getting better all the time," Netzer said. "After England and Argentina it would have been just too incredible if there had been a further improvement against Spain. It would have been eerie."
The euphoria that had swept the country during Germany's emphatic 4-1 and 4-0 wins over England and Argentina was replaced by despair and heartache in Berlin and elsewhere where tens of thousands watched in open-air public viewing venues.
"Es ist aus!" (It's over!) wrote the best-selling newspaper Bild in its online edition. "Germany in mourning."
Grown men and women were seen weeping at the fan mile in Berlin, where 350,000 people watched on giant screens in front of the Victory Column. Many in another crowd of 50,000 watching in Munich at the Olympic stadium also shed tears.
Germans had wrapped themselves - and their cars - in black, red and gold colors for the last month. Giant flags were draped from houses and buildings as pride swelled over the accomplishments of the dynamic young team that - with 11 players from immigrant families - became a potent symbol of integration and a modern Germany.
"The euphoria was so great and now the disappointment is even greater," said one fan.
Scintillating
German newspapers mourned the loss and wondered what happened to the scintillating team that captured the nation's hearts. "Aus der Traum" (The Dream is Over), Bild wrote in giant letters on its front page. "Caramba, were Spain good! They deserved to win. But we're proud of our lads."
In its match analysis, the paper said, "We lacked courage and cleverness. We didn't see any of the 'made-in-Germany' football that had so enthralled the world in the previous matches. Too much respect for the big names? Or were our heroes crippled by the high expectations?"
Daily Die Welt wrote: "This young team played their way into our hearts with elegance rather than drive. The multicultural team changed Germany. We used to be a land of complainers and pessimists. We're a different country now."
Guenter Netzer, an analyst for ARD television, agreed Germany played poorly. "It's impossible to keep getting better all the time," Netzer said. "After England and Argentina it would have been just too incredible if there had been a further improvement against Spain. It would have been eerie."
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