German fans stunned into silence by Italy
Reuters - Thursday 28 June 2012, 22:15
Half a million German football fans gathered in Berlin were left in a state of shocked silence
on Thursday after Italy crushed their Euro 2012 hopes with a 2-1
semi-final victory.
Brimming with confidence that their unbeaten team would
advance to Sunday's final against Spain, the huge crowd gathered
in front of giant screens at the Brandenburg Gate ready to party
but were numbed by Italy's triumph. Many left in tears.
"It's totally depressing," said Michel Schorsch, a
17-year-old Berlin student at the popular public viewing area.
"The Italians killed the party. They beat us again. Germany
were better in the first half but Italy got two chances and
scored twice. What a drag."
Clad in the black, red and gold of Germany, fans packed the
closed-off central Berlin boulevard stretching from the
Brandenburg Gate back more than a kilometre.
Germany coach Joachim Low has made a point of thanking the
frenzied crowds in the capital for giving his team additional
motivation.
"I can't believe this crap," said Sonya Wedlich, a physical
therapist whose face was painted in German colours. "It makes me
ill to lose to Italy again. Everything was going so well until
tonight. I've got to get out of here."
GREAT HANGOVER
The mood was bright at the outset as Germany had a handful
of scoring chances but turned nervous after their team fell
behind. The crowd gasped in disbelief when Germany went down 2-0
and went silent after that. Thousands left at halftime.
However, for the handful of Italian fans celebrating among
the weeping Germans, it was a night to remember. There are about
600,000 resident in Germany.
"It would have been nice to see Germany win but I'm just as
happy that Italy beat them again," said Nick Rudolf, a
19-year-old fitness trainer who has a German father and an
Italian mother. "It's cool to be for both teams."
Ricco, a 34-year-old teacher who drove an hour to Berlin to
see the match, said Italy's early goals spoiled the party.
"We came here to enjoy a great party but the only thing
we're going to get out of this is a great hangover," he said.