Euphoric German fans erupt in joy

Live World Cup Finals action on big screen triggers football frenzy

Four hundred German football fans erupted in collective joy at Taj West End here, as Mario Gotze guided a gorgeous cross from Andre Schurrle into the Argentine goal.

 That decisive 1-0 lead was trigger enough for Bangalore’s German expats to unwind, unleash a night of high spirited World Cup celebrations.

Their faces painted in the German tricolour, wearing team jerseys in style, the fans had come prepared. Playing host with generous corporate funding, the German Consulate here had arranged a party the finale deserved. Two hours later, as Messi and his men failed to be party poopers, euphoria triumphed. The Germans danced and sang in tandem, as their Indian friends joined in the fun.
 Shedding sleep

Packed, noisy and electric, the screening hall had the right atmospherics to duplicate the real action in Rio. Shedding their sleep, the fans had their eyes glued to the screens. Some stood, others sat and squatted right in front, cheering every goal-ward push. But if there was one moment that could rival that 113th minute Gotze goal, it had to be the referee’s final whistle. In that split second, the crowds were absolutely spontaneous in their celebrations.

The happy ending justified Consul General Jorn Rohde’s spirited organisation of four big screen gatherings in the city. “I was very happy bringing together the German and Indian communities here. Last week too, when Germany played France, we had celebrated together. Even Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood was there,” he told Deccan Herald, as the fans stood riveted to the Cup ceremony on-screen. 

Rohde’s passion for the game had kept himself busy on weekends in Bangalore, playing alongside Indians and a few Europeans. But he yearned to ignite a bigger spark on a bigger scale. Funded by several German companies based here, the screenings he arranged averaged 400 to 450 fans. Said he, “Everybody was happy. It was a fair game, very intense. The team deserved it. They didn’t rely just on one player.”
 Love for game

The intensity of the game had unnerved fans such as Ote, wife of a German manager here. She was barely three months in Bangalore, but her love for the game had made her queue up for the screening. Here’s how she summed up the finals: “The match was tough. It was very difficult to predict a winner because both teams were so close to scoring a goal. But the atmosphere was amazing.”  

For Jakob, a cheering German fan, the first half had been tense. “Argentina was going strong. I had a very bad feeling. I didn’t expect then that we would win. But now I am happy, and will be celebrating tonight, tomorrow and the day after,” he gushed. 

He had a final word on the local fans. The Indian interest in the game had surprised him. His stereotypical view of India as only a cricket-centric nation now lay in tatters. And he was happy that it did!