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The World Cup was a huge spectacle in Germany. They hosted it in 1974 when they won so it had been 32 years. All the major cities and towns erected
large screens for public viewing. We didn't have any tickets for the stadiums because we were in America when they went on sale and no one knew at
the time, who would be playing in the matches for which they were buying tickets!
The large screen in Hamburg was set up on a very large area normally used for a fairground with roller coasters etc. There were 5 large stands with
seating and a large stage for live music and entertainment. There were also 32 tents, one for each country represented in the World Cup where you could get food from that particular country. We loved the
Togo stand because they had yummy Indian food. It was free entry and the food wasn't expensive but the drinks were. You weren't allowed to take plastic bottles in at the start but they had to
allow them in later because of the heatwave in Germany at the time.
We went there 5 times altogether to watch either Germany or England. When Germany played there were 70,000 people there!!! Even when England played
it was packed.
We had great fun at the England tent before their match against Sweden in the group stages. There was a guy playing the guitar and singing all the
favourite football songs. The tent was packed with England and Sweden fans!! Everyone was standing on the tables or benches and singing as loud as
possible. Helen told Kirsten that whenever England play Sweden, 99.9% of the time, it's a draw. So we have to celebrate beforehand!!!
Getting home on the underground after watching Germany was also good fun. All the Germans were happy! Every car had a German flag flying - they
don't normally fly their flag because of what happened in the last century.
But the football World Cup seemed to bring everyone together. It was certainly well organised and there wasn't any trouble - a rarity when it comes
to international football events.
