World Cup 2006 Blog

Me? I'd make the hosts qualify for every World Cup, even the hospitable Germans.

I would reserve one space in the competition though: for a team made up of the best players from all the non-qualifying countries.

This would make the World Cup a real festival of footballing talent, with the likes of Ryan Giggs able to take part.

Maybe this soccer team would be like the Barbarians rugby union team, selected to entertain customers, rather than to win.

For now, thank you, Germany!

I think the way this tournament has been run will change the image of Germany for years to come. First class.

Thanks guys, we love you too... :-)

Thanks, Laura, for the good review. I'm an expat who thinks Germans are pretty nice. In the main, they are friendly and courteous. It doesn't surprise me that many English have been pleasantly surprised by the welcome they have received by their Hosts. Maybe the UK media will start amending their stereotypes!

I live in Germany and I can guarantee that yes, they DO have a sense of humour. British visitors rarely see it cos most of them are businessmen and, unlike in England, joking has always been something you do with your friends, not your work colleagues.
A younger generation who have spent time in the USA or other English-speaking countries to learn English are changing this habit, though. Offices in young industries like IT are pretty much like in the UK.
So wise up, Brits, modern Germany is more socially equal & just as democratic as UK, and is just about the LEAST militaristic country in Europe. Come & have a look.

Being married to a German wife, I've been watching most of the games on German TV with my father in law and this has been excellent. No bias from the commentators and multi lingual presentation from Premiere World.
This World Cup is actually opening peoples' eyes that the Germans are not all dour, miserable people at all. Give them a break and you'll discover that they're no different to anyone else with good and bad all over.
The tournament is going down a storm and German viewers, although obviously wanting the German national team to win, are supporting any team playing good football.
Here's hoping England start soon then eh!
COME ON ENGLAND!!

First time in Germany and I was blown away! Paradise on earth. What great people - so friendly and helpful!Berlin Berlin wir gehen nach Berlin!!

Germans have an amazing sense of humour. Before I went to see the world cup games I had been given the impression (mostly by British media) that Germans have no sense of humour, were very serious and didn't know how to party. Will that has been wiped permanently from my mind. They are great fun!!! I just love them. Oh and the women are beautiful too!

As a German living in the UK I'm glad that there are so many positive comments being made, especially by English fans, about the Germans and Germany in general. The Germans love football even if they don't necessarily support their own national team and the World Cup is a great opportunity to show the rest of the world what Germany is really like. (It's not all sauerkraut you know.)

The Germans are still very aware of their past and they have always been very uneasy about 'being proud' of their country. However, I think that they have now finally accepted that it is okay to fly their flag again and celebrate a modern Germany in a modern Europe with friends from all over the world.

Welcome to Germany!

I couldn't agree with that blog more. I've just returned from an amzing week in Germany and I have to say that their tourist board needs shaping up as I never knew how much Germany had to offer. The people are great,the scenery beautiful,the cities modern and the the beer and food,well my belly testifies how much I enjoyed them. Having the football there just added a great feelgood vibe around the whole place.

I'm another expat living in Bavaria. Not surprised at all by these comments and the general warm feelings towards the WM06 hosts. I've even got a German colleague at work who can do Irony....
Also surprising how many German's I've met during the tournament who are happy to support England in our games. Guy in the next village up from me even has a St.Georges flag up outside his house. Plus there were quite a few Germans wearing England shirts in Nuremburg last Thursday.

Ive been living in germany for ten years !! and have fallen in love with the german people !! they have a great balance of work hard and play hard !! and have a great pride in there homes and respect for others !! from an english point of view we are not forieners to the germans untill we open our mouths other wise we look just like them !!they are our people !! Please tell me how a country that brews the worst beer in the world usa has managed to deprive the millions of fans visiting the world cup home of great beers from drinking local brews at the ground !!!

Ive been living in germany for ten years !! and have fallen in love with the german people !! they have a great balance of work hard and play hard !! and have a great pride in there homes and respect for others !! from an english point of view we are not forieners to the germans untill we open our mouths other wise we look just like them !!they are our people !! Please tell me how a country that brews the worst beer in the world usa has managed to deprive the millions of fans visiting the world cup home of great beers from drinking local brews at the ground !!!

after ten years in germany i can assure you this is not the germans putting on a show just for the world cup its how it is heare organisede and clean !! freindly and fun !! as i say to my german freind viel spass aba nic so veil gluck !! LOTS OF FUN BUT NOT SO MUCH LUCK !!com on enggllllaaaaaaaaandddddd

I was in Germany a few weeks ago and even then as they were preparing for the World Cup the Germans were excellent hosts to the numerous international tourists there.

Well, thanks a lot for all the compliments. Somebody said the worldcup "will change the image of Germany for years to come". I hope that's still true after we kicked you out in the round of 16 ;)

Germany and its people have long been hugely underrated, so it's delightful to see so many fellow Englishmen and women finally realise what a great place it is and how lovely Germans can be.

I truly believe this World Cup will represent a turning point in Anglo-German relations, as I hoped it would be - and not before time.

All we need now is for the tabloids to cotton on to the change in sentiment... (cue breath not being held).

"I never expected to hear so many voices from around the world say how great the Germans are. I also didn’t expect the World Cup to be quite such an international love-in."
That is great to hear. I am sure that the next host SOuth Africa will be great too.

Great to see everyone's having a great time. As a British student studying in Frankfurt for the year it's simply fantastic to be able to soak up the world cup atmosphere. The Fan Fests are terrific. I was at the 'Main Arena' to see both of England's games so far, and with 15,000 other english fans for the Paraguay game it was the best football atmosphere i've experienced in a long time. I really hope South Africa carry on the FanFests in 2010 as they let those not lucky enough to get hold of tickets experience the atmosphere and excitement of the world cup just as much. I concur totally with all the comments and long may the love-in continue. Only one more question to ask now, 'Wer wird Weltmeister?'
Matt, Frankfurt

I am baffled by the reply to my posted comment which you ask for and then tell me I am not allowed to comment. Obviously the Germans are more friendly than you.

As a German (youngish, and well aware of my country's past), reading these comments is just great! Thanks! Danke! The mood here (in Munich) is something to behold. People from all over the world are sharing in an experience I've never thought possible. To meet fans from just about every corner of our planet, having a party together, exchanging flags... I love it! Absolutely love it!

I am a German living in the US and frequently travel to the UK for business. I think people are all the same. They care about their families, to have a good time and to live in peace. Germans are no different. I also think that Germans are underrated in both the UK and the US. They have no humor, no fun, etc. Let me tell you, the bet parties I have ever had were in Germany. Germans know how to have a good time and to involve the entire family, football is no different...
The world cup is great and I am enjoying every single game...

There are many people - and I don’t have to tell you where most of them are gathering - who think "Europe" is all about a corrupted, complex machinery called Brussels, about endless and fruitless negotiations dominated by France and Germany, about losing one’s national identity etc. etc.

But look at what’s happening in Germany these days and you might recognize that this is not only a German, but a truly European success story.

Where else in the world would you see all these nations assemble so naturally and in such numbers than on this continent which has gone through all imaginable historical purgatories and - at least partially - learned some lessons?

Long live Europe 06!

I lived in Cologne for 4 years before moving to the US. The Germans are great people, they are just so friendly, I have many fond memories of having a beer on Friesenstrasse at 4 in the morning with thousands of people there and not a hint of trouble; everyone just happy to laugh and drink :)
The sooner the tabloids get over the war the better 60 years ago! I'm surprised they don't bring the Napoleanic war up more often!

I fully agree with you Laura. It has been a great World Cup up to now and the Germany have put a lot of work into it. i myself have been helping out in Hamburg and the comments from the visitors are all positive.
Danke, Backenbaur

I fully agree with you Laura. It has been a great World Cup up to now and the Germany have put a lot of work into it. i myself have been helping out in Hamburg and the comments from the visitors are all positive.
Danke, Backenbaur

being a german world cup volunteer at frankfurt, frequent visitor to england and fervent lfc supporter, i was absolutely thrilled to see england beat paraguay and party with my liverpool friends afterwards!!! i lived and studied in england and it's so good to finally see that things are changing between germans and the english. i had hoped that the world cup would finally give us germans an opportunity to show the world and especially the english ;-) that we're not all boring bureaucrats, but know how to party and play good hosts to all the great fans from across the world.

it doesn't come as a surprise to me that certain english papers still misinterpret german coverage of the english team (deliberately or beacause they're just too stupid) to boost their sales. and it doesn't surprise me either that certain german papers do the same with english coverage for the same poor reasons. it also annoys me that german media emphasise after each england match that the fans were all partying peacefully and no hooligans were in sight. not that i'm not glad that everyone's getting along, i just didn't expect anything different!!! there you go, the english also managed to polish their image.
for my part, i'll continue flying the german flag and st george's cross side by side on our balcony at least until germany and england meet again in the final.
i think it was about time we all got rid of the old stereotypes.

Just got back from Cologne - sadly i cannot stay on for the England game due to work commitments. A first class world cup, really well organised and policed. Friday night in Cologne was great, different nationalities just chatting, singing & drinking. Thanks Germany.

Hey - that's a great comment about including a team of best players from the non-qualifying teams in the World Cup. This needs more thought. FIFA?

I think that in the UK, we aren't taught to hat Germans. However a lot of our recent history is tied to them. I'm currently on a year aborad in Spain and last term I lived with 2 German lads. They were fantastic, really good fun, witty, decent people. Of course we inevitably ended up talking about the Wars some drunken nights, but solely to say how strange it was that our ancestors colud have fought each other and how we were friends

Lots of good comments here. its no surprise to me that people traveling to Germany are finding the people there to be great host's. They are experiencing things for themselves.
We should all stand back and maybe realise just how much we allow the dodgy media sheets to manipulate our feelings about someone or somewhere.
It's maybe time that we started thinking about making people and organisations more accountable for what they publish.

I'm really glad to see all the positive posts about Germany. I was lucky enough to spend the week before the World Cup in Berlin - it was one of the most beautiful, safe and vibrant cities I have ever visited. The build up atmosphere was amazing, just like a huge street party, good humoured and no sense of trouble. I really didn't want to come home!

Well done Germany!

I'm English - love all the Germans I've met before and during WC06. Stereotypes are hard to get rid of and are propogated by low rent media outlets. Just spend sometime in Australia and you'll see why they are so parochial too.....

I've lived in Germany now since 97 after leaving the RAF. The only big difference that I see between the Britsh and Germans is sarcasm, other than that we are basically the same; "Beer, Football and fun". I knew that hosting the World Cup would open the Germans up to a lot of positive press. Good, and good for them!! My German family are Football mad, me too!! Imagine what I have to put up with when England play Germany....Have fun..

The hospitability and welcoming nature of the Germans will only be a surprise to people who know nothing more about Germany than World War II films, what the tabloids tell us and that they beat us on penalties every few years. The British have really been living in the past for far too long. Hopefully now the stereotypes will change.

I used to live in Germany a long time ago, it's a fantastic place full of fantastic people and I visit as often as possible.

I am a German who lived in New York and is now living and working in London. Thanks for all the good comments on this website. Having so many international friends I've never expected anything else from the worldcup 2006 than the biggest party ever. It was about time that some poor and narrow-minded newspapers learn what's really going on in the modern world.

I have just spent 4 nights in Hamburg to experience the world cup. I along with 17 of my friends from Liverpool were made very welcome by the host nation. We watched the England game in the purpose built fan zone, and it was superb.
Having watched the Germany game the night before where they scored a late winner, the atmosphere in the city was fantastic. Having spoke to some of the locals that night, they were amazed that so many German Flags were being displayed from cars, windows and buildings throughout this World cup. They said that the flying the German flag is almost unheard of in Hamburg, and this world cup has brought back some national pride.
Keep it up Germany- you are putting on a great show for the world to see.

I lived in Frankfurt for 16 years and although the city is not necessarily a true reflection of life in Germany it was certainly enough to bring home to me how similar we are as peoples.
I was concerned the English fans travelling to Germany would only look for negatives to confirm existing prejudices, but have been encouraged by almost all the posts above.
The principle hurdle to breaking down cultural barriers tends to be the English inability to learn our continental neighbours' languages and, as a German speaker, it drives me to distraction to hear some of the ill informed comment about the Germans from people who have either never visted the country, or speak a word of the language.
I have been back in the UK for a couple of years now and genuinely miss the slower pace of life and the more civilized work/play balance which I find harder to find here in the UK.
Good luck for the rest of the tournament and hope the 'friendly' atmosphere continues.

I am so delighted that there are so many positive comments on the WC 06 in Germany! Also, I am happy that we (well most of us, there are stupid people everywhere) the German people have finally got the one big chance to show the world at the beginning of the 21st Century what a nation we are how we relate to our European neighbours especially. Not to forget the rest of the world. I love this feeling of unity, happiness and friendship! May it last for ever and continue after this extraordinary event! Long live Football! Long live across the nations understanding! This is only the beginning of modern; 21st Century Europe!

Normally you get a good bit of debate going in the comments section but on this subject it is clear that everyone concurs. I will add my voice too but I must say I agree with you all, the Germans are wonderful hosts as I have noticed on my regular visits to Hamburg, a fantastic city. I always have a laugh when I go to parties in Germany and I have also noticed that the people at them can have a great time without getting totally drunken, one English trait we are, sadly, well known for.

Let's not get carried away, the tabloids will continue to have an undercurrent on anti-Germanness for decades to come, but many of the white-van men who read them will be able to say "Actually I went there for the world cup in 2006 and the Germans were brilliant!".

So far this World Cup has been superb, Vielen Dank Deutschland. As Jim said: no matter what happens to their national side, the Germans are already winners.

It is really nice to read something positive about us Germans and I really appreciate it. The new discission about "nationalism" here is fought out by people born after the war, me and my mates (30-40 years old) have learned about the horrible german history and we know what we have to do - we give the rest of the world the happiest tournament we ever could. It is not about nationalism, it is about fun and sports. Some jewish made a protest against the Team of Iran and I think that they should shut up because this is only about sports. Germany and Iran always had a good relationship so I would be glad if Ahmedinejad would come to Germany to tell everybody here if he still thinks the holocaust has never happened. Thank you all for your nice comments and I hope England will be in the final against Germany and we will see a good match without a so called Wembley-goal. Even if England wins the Championship, that would be OK because you deserve it too.

Sorry about my bad english - have a lovely day in Germany :-))

I find it great that we ( English/Brits ) are finally finding out that Germany is great country to visit. I just wish I could persuade my brothers to come here!
Now all we need to do is get Germany to change it's stereotype image of old England - crap weather, crap food, nothing to see or do, expensive, hooligans. 99.9% of the German population would not even consider a visit to the UK. A crying shame and a view my German wife does not share......she loves England and the English.

Rupert ( 20 years in Germany )

This tournament is a great chance for the British media to decide on whether to continue feeding our negative preconceptions about the host-nation, which has undergone a transformation like no other country in Europe in the last 50 years, or to apply an even-handed approach. So far, in this world cup, I am glad to see that a healthy proportion of journalists seem to realise that fairness and accuracy go a lot further than the boring, ignorant, and racist kraut-bashing news-reporting that showed how badly our media was stuck in the past.

Germany has pulled off a mega party by encouraging everyone to come, including fans without tickets and I am glad that our press is doing its bit to keep that positive vibe where Germans and English are partying together, as it happened wherever England played in this tournament.

On their humour:
I lived in Germany for 3 years and felt ashamed of my own pre-conceptions. Once I learned the language, I found that German humour is based on double-meanings and wordplay - just like ours. I realised that jokes get lost in translation. In fact, I found that they have many of the jokes that we have.

England will most likely play Germany, let’s show them that we are good guests and demonstrate our great sportsmanship regardless of winning or losing.

Rupert ! NO!
I love England and I know many other Germans who do aswell. (I am German by the way).
And the Brit weather isn't miserable, food is fine and rugby awesome, just a pity, it's not that popular over here.
Anyway, I support England and Germany (YES, that IS possible...!!) and I hope loads, both teams will blow em all away !!

Have a good one all you Brits and I really enjoy having you here in Germany !!

Anette

Come on Rupert, it's not really 99,9 per cent of us germans that don't want to visit britain ;)

Anyway - thank you for all the nice comments. Hope that this WC will really be a turning point in the british-german relations.

also a big thank you from me for your great comments on Germany... Rupert be assured most Germans love England and appreciate it for its humor (which is not naturally given to us), your lovely towns and your traditions and even your fish and ships (I even have a F&S shop in my street in Berlin). Thanks England and sorry sun :-)

Germans are a hospitable people and we just want our guests to enjoy their stay - not due to the German post-war habit of desiring to please, but as a natural obligation.

Personally I have worked with Brits as a serviceman and during my career for the past twenty years and I always found it easy to get along with them both professionally and on private terms. Most of them seemed more than willing to drop quickly any preconceptions about Germans and Germany in general.

The media on both sides of the channel convey distorted pictures of life in Germany and Britain to this very day and I have been expecting the British view on Germany to change to a more realistic and indeed positive image for the past ten years.
Now, that it finally seems to happen, I am very glad for it.

I have a notion the British and the Germans are much more similar than they both managed to realise so far.

Anyway, I hope you all the enjoy the tournament as much as I do!

Regards from Bonn
Dirk.

Rupert, I have been to England an several occasions. I on my trips trough the lovely English countryside I have run across many Germans. Germans have a positive view on England. We love Monty Pyton, the Queen, Fish and Chips, Beatles and many more.
I also would like to add the most English that I have met over the year had a rather positive on Germany. Let's not take the SUN headlines too seriously.

Greatly embracing stuff, and quite rightly.

Check out www.adoptagerman.com. It's a website set up by the sports brand Puma that illustrates these friendly relations.

You can adopt a German to be your guide for activities in Germany whilst the World Cup is on.

A truly honest, entertaining and useful site.

Ed

Greatly embracing stuff, and quite rightly.

Check out www.adoptagerman.com. It's a website set up by the sports brand Puma that illustrates these friendly relations.

You can adopt a German to be your guide for activities in Germany whilst the World Cup is on.

A truly honest, entertaining and useful site.

Ed

Greatly embracing stuff, and quite rightly.

Check out www.adoptagerman.com. It's a website set up by the sports brand Puma that illustrates these friendly relations.

You can adopt a German to be your guide for activities in Germany whilst the World Cup is on.

A truly honest, entertaining and useful site.

Ed

I´m so glad to see these positive comments on the WM in Germany..I nearly have a tear in my eye as this subject really frustrates me! :-) The Germans deserve it through and through...and have every right to be proud of such a tolerant, fun loving, friendly country. I am from Staffordshire and live in Hannover. What an atmosphere in the city centre the past week! It´s electric. I was overawed by how friendly it was and how willing the Germans are to support other teams and get into the spirit. I think the British could learn a lot from them about being open and relaxed about other nations. What is it with us? Have we got such a lack of esteem that we have to hate everyone else to make ourselves feel good? I know from reading these comments that there are happily tonnes of people who think otherwise. I just wish that the media could grow up and get a life!

Great one Germany! See you again at the FanFest!

I had a fantastic time in Nuremburg - not only were the Germans wonderful hosts, but it was fantastic mixing with all the Trinidadians, Japanese, Koreans, Swedes, Croatians and others who were all getting on really well with the thousands of England fans. There was no sign of trouble, even on the hot & sweaty evening train back to Frankfurt. The atmosphere was terrific in the city and I wish I could still be in Germany for the next few weeks, like many of the fans I met.

Thanks guys, it's so good for a German to read your posts... It always used to make me so sad realising how big the prejudices towards Germans still were, although I have such close friends allover UK! I'm so glad we finally get a chance to grow up and us Germans also get mature in developing a healthy, pacifistic national identity...

I'm so happy to celebrate with British foreigners during party nights in Munich - and "don't mention the war" no more! (okay, now I started it...)

Lovely to have you here - have a good time!

Should the unfortunate happen and England and Germany meet in the 2nd round, I guess it won't be long before we're reading about krauts and panzers in the Sun. I'd like to ask the BBC bloggers to give a message to your employers. Please get some interviews with English fans who've been in Germany for a while and are enjoying it, not people who just stepped off the plane. Find time for them on the news as well as Gary Lineker's shows. Sometimes you have to take action for balanced reporting.

Okay ... if you let us win on penalties again you can call us krauts if you like. Somehow I think I would miss it.
After all:
"Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result."
Wait ... who said that? Damn! Did I bring up the war again?

But sriously: England vs Germany have always been great matches. And a little bit of rivalry makes it even better. I really don't care much about mocking comments in Sun as long as I see people don't use them to make up their opinion of the country. And, well, the 1 millionth WW2 comment in Sun would not really promote british humour to us but thats what you have Monty Python for ...

Re posts 58 & 59, Nat & Blake:

Thank you both very much. Here we have - again - the reason why many Germans respect English people irrespective of stupid English tabloids' bias and aggressiveness: their sense of fairness. It is one of the virtues that have led many Germans to respect and like English manners; virtues that you have to defend against those who want to create a rift between us and want to make you believe nothing ever changes. I wonder if many people are aware of the terrible implication of supposedly nothing ever changing. It denies you your dignity, your capacity of growing, developing. Show the dark princes of hell in the yellow press the red ticket.

"Fairness" is a word you find in every German dictionary, a fact you can be proud of, especially if the majority among you keep on living up to it.

Thank you for the compliments.I work at a Fan Fast in Gelsenkirchen (20.000 people).I have to anser the questions of our guests and help them as good as well. I can only see a few games, but i enjoy the time, to meet so many people from so diffrent countries.Its such a great time, and im proud to be a part of it, to represent Germany.Its a good time, and i have a lot of fun. But one think i have to say, i `m enthusing about the americans.My english ist not good enaugh to explain,what i want to say about them, but they are very cool and nice. The World to guests by friends! Greets from the Ruhrgebiet!

Hi there!

It's nice to read that so many people have good time over here( in Germany). I do hope this party remains as peaceful and friendly as it has been so far. But I'd would also like to say that sadly there are still some germans left who are too narrow-minded to apreciate the chance of meeting so many interesting people from all over the world. I hope all these great fans and the awesome atmosphere teaches them better.

Have nice worldcup everybody
best regards
kwasimodo

Ummh, what to say?
I always thought that those hate tirades against us (Germany) were just an expression of british humour.
I never thought that there are that a lot of people to take that for truth.
Anyway, nevertheless I of course hope Germany to win the cup we`re, an I mean ALL the people who were here, allready are the winners of this tournament.

Just to hope that this friendly and warm climate along all the people won`t end withing the World Cup.
Then we really can say that football is more than a game.

Hey guys! Thanks for the great article! We aren't that bad you always that, huh? :-) I enjoy this great party here and I hope, the rest of the world also does. laura Smith-Spark is right when she says, Germans have got back their pride in being German. I think, we've found a "healthy" way of loving our country.
Greeting from Regensburg /Bavaria.

It's so wonderful that my fellow Brits are now seeing Germany in a new & positive light. Let's hope that the British tabloid press will follow and learn to present Germany & the Germans in a fair & realsitic way. Perhaps it's a first step to a more open British view of Europe ?

Hello World!

Thank you so much for all the compliments!

We Germans have to give back compliments: You are great guests! You are great football-fans! It's really, really, really, really big fun to party with all those people from all over the world! We love you!

I don't usually take interest in football. I don't even know the names of the guys on the german team. But this world-cup party makes everybody a football-fan somehow. And that's because of you!

Because of people from everywhere in the world, who just come here to have fun with us. Germany loves you!

Peace, love and good vibrations from Bonn
Astrid

Funny, isn't it? It takes the German's most beloved game to make them - us - being proud about our nationality again. Finally, I have to say. This is the first time ever that I can even share this feeling, and I have to say, it was about time. A new and exciting experience, being so patriotic.

I am so happy to live here in a country that is able to show the world how happy everyone is about having the honor of hosting the world cup. And hey, even the weather is great! ( A fact that should never be underestimated!)

I am more than glad that people from around the world feel welcome in Germany and really seem to have a great time!

I never would have dared to picture in my wildest dreams how the world cup would change the atmosphere in Hamburg, all over Germany, how all the fans get along so well and just enjoy this event.

Lots of love from a happy and proud German girl enjoying the world cup!

Thanks for this article, by the way!

Katja
from Hamburg

It is bad, that we do start loving our country like others do, and I can only hope, that after the worldcup the flags and other patriotism do not show off again!

We are not allowed to do this and we have to remember all the bad things that which the germans did.
Everytime we start to doing this many say "NO" to it, because they will remember the german history - why this should be changed only by the worldcup?

I will never be proud of this country were I was born and I will everytime excuse (and pay for -> Israel) the mistakes of our ancestors!
This is the way how it is...

Torsten, 29 years, Germany

PS:
If you want to hurt a german, only say "NAZI", because all germans are still this... very easy, or?
And yes - many are doing this...

Well, unfortunately I think I should introduce some gloom to this blogged love-in, at least when it comes to Anglo-German relations. Some people here have expressed their expectation that the World Cup might be a "turning point" in Anglo-German relations. I hope so but I am not convinced. Just wait what's going to happen after a likely England vs. Germany match, especially so if Germany wins (remember Lineker?). And just wait what the Sun and the Mirror are going to write about it. And the "Germany" section in English bookshops will always be full of WW II stuff and nothing on modern Germany.

I hope the world has recognized that Germany is an ordiary country in europe . Not better and not worster than other places in Europe . If the worlcup has shown this, it would be a good result .

A Time To Make Friends!

Being German and living for some time abroad (in Sweden) it is interesting what other newspapers write about Germany, the people there and what still sucks. Gladfully not that much to the last one :)

But just as Mic Es wrote, let's see what happens in Sweden, when they - the Swedes - meet the Germans on Saturday and Germany wins...

Im german but work in China. Im so happy to see, how people from all over the world are having fun together and watching football at home in germany. Im so sad I cannot be part of it. Wish I could be there to party with all of you. Have fun!
Stefan

As a German, thank you all for your positive comments. We do love cultural diversity and have respect for any nation not only as a host obligation. As you can see, we love the game and support any team who is doing a good show. Besides that, none could be more surprised than us how well our team is doing at the moment. But more than seeing our team win, we want that every guest in germany has a time to remember.

And to my fellow German Thorsten:
What can I say, just a sad comment. How many Germans have you met who share your oppinion? Turn on your TV and listen what our guests have to say. Come to Cologne where I live and open your eyes. Please don't judge our friendly nation from the 10 or 20 people you met in your neighbourhood.
If you are not proud of your country then you should put those ancient history books aside for a moment and take a look which nation is one of the most peaceloving on this planet, which nation cares more about environment and which nation had so many citizends who spend their private savings after the Tsunami, which let the already more than generous government aid package look like peanuts. The red cross was not able to spend all that money until today, cheers to black, red & gold
please escuse me that I gotta go now to have a beer with my friends from Ghana, oh and in case you might wonder, black or white couldn't matter less in our friendly little country

see you in the pub from whereever you are

Cheers Lars

In the last weeks Germany made a metamorphosis: Before the World Cup many of us (Yes, I'm a German)were not able to say that they're proud to be German, and now we're like most of the other countries on the globe. But I'm still not sure if it is already health patriotism or just World-Cup-joy; we'll see.
It's fantastic to have the "world at home"!
To the Nazi-topic I must say: We are no Nazis and Nazis ARE NO GERMANS!! Because we were their victims too. Of course there are some, but they're also in many other countries on the globe. :-(

I wish the World Cup would never end and not only becaus of the soccer.
Other countries must have this great experience, too!!!

Hi Mates!

It is overwhelming to read your comments about the world cup. I have never expected this and now I am really proud of my country as a good hoster.

Now I hope that even Queen Mum (may God rest her soul) will change her mind. ;-)

In the last weeks Germany made a metamorphosis: Before the World Cup many of us (Yes, I'm a German)were not able to say that they're proud to be German, and now we're like most of the other countries on the globe. But I'm still not sure if it is already health patriotism or just World-Cup-joy; we'll see.
It's fantastic to have the "world at home"!
To the Nazi-topic I must say: We are no Nazis and Nazis ARE NO GERMANS!! Because we were their victims too. Of course there are some, but they're also in many other countries on the globe. :-(

I wish the World Cup would never end and not only becaus of the soccer.
Other countries must have this great experience, too!!!

It is very moving to see all those positive reactions towards my home country Germany!
I think this might really be the right moment to end the old never-ending conflict between our two countries, which was once fought in a terrible war and since then kept alive by the rainbow press. All the english fans I met here were really great people, and I will never forget this athmosphere in our cities. It is an awesome experience to see so many people from all spots of the world sharing celebrating together peacefully in our beautiful country, wich finally seems to have awakened from a long gloomy slumber after WWII, smiling. I am proud of my country, not out of unreflected patriotism, but because this country changed into a peaceloving and open-minded society. Even the sun is shining :) Come and be our guests and enjoyu yourselves and tell everyone what a nice stay you had. Oh, and you better forget about that clichee that germans don't have a sense of humor :P

Thanks for your entry
I think, we have a big party feeling in Germany right now. But I don't think that it's about pride or beeing German. Today I stood next to a friend with a flag singing you hymn - with wrong text ^^

Manni

Thanks for your entry
I think, we have a big party feeling in Germany right now. But I don't think that it's about pride or beeing German. Today I stood next to a friend with a flag singing our hymn - with wrong text ^^

I like to say thanks. I´m not a sport freak, but I´m really impressed now. Theese days we have the 2nd "Love Parade" on the streets in Berlin. Nice to have you here (Live or by TV ;-). And when I read this blogs, I could cry for luck. Welcome in the new Berlin ;-)

Peace, Marco

I agree with Lars and many others: Torsten, go back to your left-wing extremist live-the-real-socialism-anti-everything hole you came out just to write an entry in this blog! Nobody wants those "Ewiggestrige" (eternal yesterday) like you any more!

Go England! Go Germany!... and therefore especially: Go England tonite, beat the IKEAs! ;-)

I dont see the diffrence. We are the same Germans as last year. These german citys are the same you bombed 50 years ago. Now everything and everyone is nice and beautiful?

How could anglo-german relations improve, if they haven't in the last 50 years? Who would bye a tabloid with so many blank sides, that stay after leaving out the nazi blah-blah? Thats unrealistic. Stop playing in white and black and start german-bashing again. Than everything will be fine.

Hello everybody,

after having read through all these comments I wish to add two points.

First
To me it is impossible to be proud to be german (as I am), because I did not have to do anything to become one. I think it is the same with all other nations. Today I feel pride in the way my people behaves to millions of other people, making them feel wanted and even liked.

Second
It gives me a big smile to read some folks writing about "WC 06" as being used to connect those two letters to a place well known to everybody ;-).
Maybe it means something like: being in one place with everybody else gives us great relief?

Hi from Hamburg, Germany (come over and have a good time).

Michael

nice comments guys, you're welcome ;-)

I'm a 17 years old german pupil. As long i can remember it was not easy for me to be proud of beeing german, because there are often very critical discussions about the german past.
But in the days of the world championship when I read all the positive comments on the atmosphere in Germany, the behaviour of Germans and how people from different countries all over the world enjoy it to be here, it's the first time in my life that I'm really proud to be german. for this fantastical feeling I'd like to thank you all.

Greez Sebastian

Somehow this looks strange to me.
What for hell's sake do you think or thought is living
here in Germany? This people doesn't consist of a mad
and brutal version of inhabitants of the Sesamy-Street.
Even not if my rotten English sounds like that!

@ Larry: ABSOLUTELY my word!!!

I think, we have the duty to prevent a new Third Reich to cme up, but we have the right of being proud of ourselves. Why hould I be ashamed when I'm in "foreign" countries? These guys who marched through Europe and killed Millions, that WASN'T ME! So why being ashamed? Maybe some people can't divide between "memory" and "present". Strange, because even in the German language these words have nothing in common...

But I'm also very excited, if the Anglo-German relation would stay that good if Germany faces England on he pitch and Beckham becomes Lineker...

I am an A-Level German student from a german family and I think that it is great that germany is finally getting the recognition due to it for being such a brilliant country!! The culture is vibrant and individual, the towns and cities clean and the people are so friendly and welcoming!!
I first went to germany when i was thirteen on an exchange; I was terrified at the prospect of spending a week and a half with an unknown family that did not speak English (I had only been studying German for two years then, yet when it was time to go home I cried as I did not want to leave!!! It was the best holiday of my life!!

It is amazing that the image of Germany has beem changed so quickly, long may it continue!

Thank you everybody! It sure means a lot here in Germany that our guests are glad, and we hope they will remember us as their friends.

Today (I was at one of those fan-thingies) was the very first time in my whole life that I actually sang the national anthem aloud. Furthermore there has never been a time where there was a comparable amount of black-red-golden flags. Some important part of german history is happening here right now.

All of these wonderful comments you write give us back our pride and I am deeply thankful.

Welcome to Germany! (And an especially warm welcome to you, Land of Harry Potter)

The comments really said it all, and all i want to say is: Maybe well meet in great britian at world cup 2018 :)

Enjoyed reading all those comments!
To summarize,

• the majority of visitors enjoys their stay in Germany,
  
• Germans are overwhelmed and delighted to see that they were successful in making the WC a success for everybody
  
• many Germans still feel uneasy about experiencing patriotism,
  
• the world cup may or may not change the image of Germany for the better "for years to come",
  
• Germans may or may not develop a new form of "healty" patriotism because of the WC.
  

I'm a 29-year-old German who spent 9 months in Britian as a visiting student a few years ago.
One of the most valuable experiences of my time there was to get into contact with people from many different countries. I enjoyed learning about their similar and different views, beliefs and mentalities. As a foreigner, I've always felt welcomed by the British and never experienced any anti-German feelings. People were interested in my personality rather than my nationality. That's what matters, I guess. In a nutshell, it was a great and important experience I would not want to miss.

I can understand a lot of what my fellow countrymen and -women wrote, though. I grew up in the belief that it is "politically correct" and desirable to be free from patriotism though I never felt guilty for my country's past. I used to think that it is a coincidence what nationality I am by birth, therefore I don't want to be seen as a German, or European for that matter, but simply as a person.
What I find quite interesting is that now the Germans, "us" (I find it sort of strange to use that word, as if I did not belong to them), are actually encouraged by people from other countries to feel proud of their (our) nation. Why is this, I'm wondering? Is it because it's a "natural" thing? I'm very curious to see whether it's just inspired by the WC or if it's going to last longer...

i think the we all have to learn about each other, so we can get rid of our prejudces. the best thing for this is europe, the fifa wm is just the beginning. lets support both!

I am german with two grandfathers who served in the war. My father was born in the Ukraine, my family was scattered. There was a dark past but I was born 20 years after the - conflict. I have visited England more than 10 times in last years and will continue to come to England because of its great people.
I am a German in europe and I consider England to be our most important partner. Yes, I think England is Europe. The old one.
The british humour is unique but - believe it or not - germans can show some symptoms of humour also. As long as you don't mention the war. And the people I know want even get over that.
I am still not shure if the words of german politicians are meant as a very special german joke when they said: "ah, no fear, the showing of the flag is not patriotism, its something else, something harmless."
Showing the flag is patriotic and thats fine. I think that Germany can be proud of the way the games are hosted. Ok, the sandwiches could be better and we will work on the service. But this event as a whole has united the country more than anything else and this patriotism is in my eyes nothing negative. When I see the flying flags I feel that the country it symbolizes is one worth to visit. Welcome now and in the future. If we hopefully meet in the final then the best should win.
Wayne

Hi,

I totally agree with Stefan: get rid of prejudices.
I was at the LIVE8 concert in London last year. When all the locations were shown on video screens the people were very enthusiastic but when Berlin appeared on the screen nearly every one barracked the Germans. I could not believe what happened. standing there within so many people who had come to do something good and then this.
I am glad to read that there might be a change in people's opinion.
I really like what currently happens in Germany. It is a big party and we all have fun (even those who don't like soccer). It is a very healthy patriotism and I think we deserve it.

come on guys ( and girls ) , come to teh point. It IS a really big party at the moment. I'm still wondering about some issues and hoping Aldi and Lidl won't close at 8 p.m again after the world cup ;)
Regarding the humour: not even all but a lot of of us german know about ironic and sarcasm ...trust me :-)

and to the politic discussion here the past posts: that little crazy guy bomb the world....yes with that horrible speech....he was a Austrian, not a german ...( okay, this was a bit too sarcastic I think. )

I know about the past but I'm glad to be not a victim of it.

.......by the way......you are losing this game against the swedish....HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? ...again penalty with the germans :-)))

Thanks for pointing out that we Germans are not only about Überholprestige or «Made in Germany»-quality. We are also "only human" as well. The funny thing is that Germans hated themselves (like in a love-hate relationship) for centuries. This is typical for Germans. We always complain about everything (you will notice that when you hear the Germans debate about the economy). But at least this huge event brings out some better sides of us. ;-) (I hope that your impression is not only made because of drinking too much beer -- oh my gosh, you seem to be able to drink a lot more than we do...)

What's so different with this world cup? Did you not notice at the word cup in 1974, which has been hosted by Germany as well, the we Germans are as nice, friendly and normal people as you British and English are?

definitely more than we can drink...I was wondering how much after I was out with a englisch guy yesterday.....my head's still burning

Torsten,

I do not know what you do for life, but I am guessing you have attended free (well, tax-based) lower and higher education and also receive some benefits (such as healthcare) from the government. Why then can you not at least be grateful for those things. If you really don't like it just leave!

There are also many other countries in this world where you would not be able to be so openly critical of the country of birth. Nobody asks you to patriotic, but don't ruin the mood for the rest of us. It must feel great to be constantly apologizing and ridiculing your own people and avoid the responsibility as a citizen to actively participate. I live in the US and I find it quite nice how its people show their flag and respect for their country. It is true, Germans (and also others) slaughtered millions of people, but you also forget that just as many risked their lives to topple that dreadful NAZI regime. And also: Before you start defaming the goold ol' black-red-gold, you might want to acknowlegde that this flag was burned by the Nazis because it stood for freedom and democracy. And no, this is not revisionist thinking!

Finally:

A country and its people can only be respectful of others if it respects itself.

I'm a German and I can't tell you how proud I am to hear all this positiv words about Germany and the Germans. Normally I'm not so into sports - but this...
You just have to go out, party and meet people. And for the first time in years
nobody is shocked 'cause I am german and I now how to have fun.
I've been to the UK several times in the last years and was asked every day where I'm from, because nobody expected me to be german. I really think this is going to chance now. How beautifull!

Hats of to all the teams and players! You guys have ALL been wonderful and I can't wait to see the rest of the games. To all the fans, be they German, English or any other nation: Enjoy the aferparties since this is where they serve the "real" beer;)

ps. Klinsi, you made us proud! May the football gods be with you:)

I think there are no more Englishmen reading this threat as patriotism vs. Torsten-ism (cashing in as much as you can from your country but hating it for exactly that) is a typical German issue. No other country would ever have the same problems. Did you see/hear how the English fans in Cologne tonite kept repeating singing their national anthem over and over again?

Eigentlich könnten wir hier auf Deutsch weiter diskutieren... ;-)

hey guys,
don't loose all of your prejudices - they are too much fun... anyway they work just because there some kind of deep respect for each other since more than 100 years.

Hey everybody,
seems like the Germans are taking over this blog after tagesschau.de posted the link...let's call it the "blog-blitz"...just kidding, I'm German aswell.
Anyway, I can't explain how happy I am to see so many fans from all over turn this event in to a international love-fest. Let's hope it erases a few of the prejudices that still exist among some people.

Regarding the relationship that Germans have to their country I would like to add my personal perspective:
As a young German I see my countries history as a reflection of all traits of character that rest in mankind. The philosophical achievements of Kant contrasted by the insane cruelties of the holocaust. We started two world wars, killed millions of innocent people, were divided, reunited and played a part in the most remarkable peaceful turnaround of an entire continent. Quite a story, but not always a nice one. Is it thus possible to love this country? Well, sometimes you love somebody not due to his or her perfection, but rather their complexity and their entire character. History should be learned from and by trying to be the best hosts possible we can set a sign that we have indeed learned quiet a bit. Hope you read this Torsten!

But hey, it's time to return some of the Anglo-German loving :)
I would like to emphasize the surpreme sportsmenship of the English fans. It is great to see how fans disrespect any player who takes a dive during the game - best attitude in the world!!!

Keep on partying and enjoy the world cup in Germany

Constantin

As a kraut from germany i want to thank you all for your nice comments. they are able to change my point of view about the british, too; but it was never bad!
but i hope we will keep our rivalry when we play football against each other.
lets meet in the final in berlin! may the better team win, but if that is you, please score real goals ;-)
May god save the Queen, who said in berlin 2004, that stereotypes wither in the face of human contact.

I live in New Zealand and used to live in England for some years. My husband is from England and was the reason why I moved there. Never in my dreams did I think I would return to England after some bad experiences during an exchange. (Some of my class mates were beaten up because they spoke german). The same with the Netherlands. When I was a child and on vacation I would get dark glances as soon I opened my mouth and I did not understand what I've done to deserve this. Another country not to ever visit again I thought a while later. But in fact travelling and meeting people from other contries is the best thing you can do to get to really know each other. Confrontation and well considered discussions can help to turn prejudice into tollerance and respect for each other. Wherever I go I'm very happy to mention from where I am.

I met many brits, dutch and other nationals during the last ten years and find most of them have developed a relaxed and modern view about modern Germany. We are also intelligent enough to distinguish between sensational press and serious media.

Thanks for Larrys statement. I agree with you.

I wish I could be in Cologne right now, my hometown. I would love to share this very special atmosphere and drink some Koelsch on the grass beside the rhine. *seufz*

Have a great time all of you!!

What a wise lady the Queen is!

Well, no wonder: Afterall she's German! ;-)

Greetings from Germany,
after reading all that stuff I'm so proud of being a part of it. It is a great atmosphere here in Germany and love it listening to all the native English speaker or other languages I do not understand. It gives me hope for our world to see how people with so different ethnic backgrounds have fun together.
It is not only changing the international view on Germany, the WC is also changing Germany itself. You feel some connetion and unity between all Germans. And its a good felling to have the possibility of being proud of Germany without feeling kind of strange because of our past.

I'm looking forward to meet more of you great fans.

ULI

ps: I will try to fight against my own (unconcious) prejudices concerning England during my stay (half a year) in botley near southampton

Just came back from England. I wish they all would read these postings. There's still more than rivalry between the two of us ...
check my URL for more on that subject! ;-)

june 20th,i love the germans and i do hope so very much that the team returns to berlin on july 9th.i wich them all the luck in the world. i hope the country remains peaceful and the games cont. without any problems.i enjoy watching the games in the usa,although i would have loved to see the games in berlin and hamburg. thanks gisela

Hey thank you very much for your article and your experiences in Germany. Right now I'm in Canada and this is now the first time I realized that we shouldn't hide ourselves the whole time and be ashamed of our nation etc. The world cup is fun and every German inhabitant should be allowed to show his nationality and can be proud of his nation. Before I went to Canada I never even thought about being proud to be German or having a flag of Germany in my house but here I really experienced what it means to have a spirit and to connect with all the other people from your country. I think it is a really good thing and it doesn't mean that this will lead back to the nationalism!!! Anyways I think that the World cup is an opportunity to bring our people a bit closer and it gives all visitors a chance to see Germany and what it is like right now! :) mhh i guess that i kind of changed the topic or its not all about ur article but I really wanted to say this once! :)
Thank you very much
Anne-17, international student in Canada :)))

"We are not allowed to do this and we have to remember all the bad things that which the germans did.
Everytime we start to doing this many say "NO" to it, because they will remember the german history - why this should be changed only by the worldcup?

I will never be proud of this country were I was born and I will everytime excuse (and pay for -> Israel) the mistakes of our ancestors!
This is the way how it is...

Torsten, 29 years, Germany"

What in the blue hell has gotten into you? Never be proud of this country? We try to be the best hosts we possibly can and give our best in every way - now you say something like that. I tell you something Torsten, no other nation has such a broad knowledge about this dark passage of history! No one will ever forget what happened, but let me tell you that I am proud of what has been accomplished in those past 60 years. I am sick of these people who always try to make everything bad about Germany. Yes - I will always remember what happened, but no - I will not support a negative atmosphere in which everyone thinks it is ok to goof on Germany, because it would devaluate everyone's efforts in trying to make Germany a better place to live in and in making friends with
different people from different countries!

As a German I must tell you: It's all acting. Whenever a stranger appears we try to be friendly, especially we do that with Englishmen. ;-)

Ok, first of all, thanks for all the positive-toward-germany related comments. The only thing i can say about it, is: It's about Time, cause we aren't that bad... Some even got a glimpse of Irony! ;D

The first time i have been to england, the first words i heard (from an old couple in Canterbury, who noted we are germans) were: "Go home you lost the war!". This was 12 years ago and i was still a 14 year old kid and i assure you, it hurt me very much (i still remember it ;>), because i just didn't understand. It even hurt me more when a guy in a t-shit shop, asked us "are you from germany?" and then after saying "i got something for you!" he offered us nazi-stuff, which i've never seen before in my life!

I hope this kind of attitude will be past for ever! Just see us as most of us are: Kind cosmopolitan people.

Enjoy the WoldCup, party with us!

And try to accept, we're playing good football too. England is owing a proof of their Soccer-Skills at the moment, you have to admit. :p

Nevertheless, fun comes first! Meantime i don't care who wins the Cup, because Germany is already one of the winners. Thank you all.

Well you have done it. You got me tears in my eyes.
This is such a lovely blog to read. Thank you for all your wonderful comments. I am living in Toronto for about three years now. I have learned that being a German is rather positive. I get a lot of positive feedback and my pride on my country has risen over the time. Let's say I am now more aware of being German.
After 1993 when Stuttgart hosted the World Championships in Track and Fields I knew the world cup will become a huge party. Germans love sports and if there is a good reason to party, we party.

I shared my appartement with an English guy, I had many good laughs with him and over here I got to know even more English friends.
There is a little poking rivalery and we hit on each other once in a while. But it is always good for a laugh - and that's what it is all about.

Laugh with each other and the world is a great place to be.

As a German i just can say: Dankeschön! for all that great feedback.

Have a nice WC06.

I´ve complete filled out my World Cup plan before the first match starts and the final match is GER - ENG.
See you in Berlin.

when i read the first article i felt a bit embarrased, like what the hell did they expect? that we germans are unhuman, a grey mass of no humour, stubborn, unsocial and intolerant towards other nations? of course we are not! like all the comments do confirm, to my relief. i do love the english language, like a lot of my friends, and i like the clichees we germans have about the britisch! (hehe)

Thank you guys for all the nice comments.

You know, we Germans just saved all the good jokes, for so many years, in case the world cup may return someday. And it has....

Greetings from Hamburg

Thank you guys for all the nice comments.

You know, we Germans just saved all the good jokes, for so many years, in case the world cup may return someday. And it has....

Greetings from Hamburg

Hi everyone,

I have been reading this blog now for about half an hour, and reading these friendly statements from british fans and friends just gives me the creeps. Thanks a lot.

I have always been annoyed by the unfair British and German tabloid press that tries to keep up anachronisms that derive from aur predecessors.

My desire to all intelligent guys in Britain and Germany: Give the tabloids hell. And the best way to do so is: Stop buying Sun and BILD.

By the way: I spent one of the best weekends in my life in London in 2000, where I saw Bon Jovi at Wembley Stadium (one of the last concerts performed there before it was closed down, I believe).

Best wishes from Munich, welcome to Germany and especially Bavaria (Seppelhut and Lederhosn Country (((-;). Enjoy the games.

Stefan

Not long time ago, I would never have expected such nice words about Germany from an Anglo-American point of view, because of the stereotypes widely transported through the media (especially the English) about the beer drinking, leatherhosen-wearing, German skinhead with lack of humour.
I hope (and think) your experience is the opposite (FYI only about 0,0000001% of German population is wearing leatherhosen on a daily basis :-) )

Thanks for all the good feedback. We are very happy to host the world cup 2006. It's a fantastic atmosphere here in Frankfurt, where I live. At "Main Arena" many peoples to come show the games - peoples from all the world. It's very important for us to convert our slogan "The world to guest with friends" ("Die Welt zu Gast bei Freund") to you... The world championship helped us to find the way back a piece of our "we-feeling".

Hi,
I am a German expart in Switzerland. So I can see the WC06 from a very different angle (Switzerland is Group leader at the moment!).
When I read about the yesterday's results I was happy on the one hand (Germany wins over Ecuador)on the other hand I am scared what will happen with the "U.K. starts to love the Sauerkrauts"-feeling when both teams meet each other on the green field. I am happy that the English start perceiving Germany differently. The more I am scared which atmosphere will be heated up in the tabloids (German as well as English) when "Rooney meets Ballack".
B.T.W.: I have the largest British royals mug collection on the Continent.
:-))

I have to say that I am glad the English perception of the Germans seems to be shifting. I have lived here for three years now and find the Germans extremely friendly.

What must be said about all the English people (I'm Irish) posting their comments here is that you have to give yourselves credit for the attitude you have shown to the German people. A lot of English fans came here carrying many years of social prejudices and from what I have seen these prejudices have been cast aside very quickly by the many English fans that I have met. I haven't heard bad words from any German fan about the English Fans and the English fans deserve a lot of credit for that and likewise haven't heard any bad words about the Germans from the English.

Keep up the good show!!!

Hey guys,
I as a German am very pleased by all your positive comments I just read.
It makes me feel really proud to see how you are having a good time with us. I am spending most of the time at the public viewings in Dortmund (yes, as a student I can afford that *g*) and it was incredibly great. I have had beers together with people from so many countries that I even stopped counting ;) Even with people from Trinidad & Tobago which I especially liked for their Carribean relaxedness ^^
It is wonderful to realize that you guys really like staying here with us. I am now convinced that we are great hosts, but you are also wonderful guests :)
There is no "send the foe back" anymore, everyone is having fun with everyone, regardless of the nationality, which turns the whole country into the biggest party of this summer of love ;)
This shows to me that people are quite the same everywhere on this planet. There are no borders. A smile and a good joke can carry me thousands of miles.
Thank you all of being so peaceful and willing to party!!!
Enjoy your stay here, and as a little hint: If you go to Dortmund without a ticket, try to get inside the Westfalenhallen (www.fancampdortmund.de), a stonethrow away from the stadium. Cheap and wonderful place to party and stay the night with thousands of people from all over the world, and of course all matches shown on bigscreen :)

Keep on partying here and let's all work together making this World Cup one that won't be forgotten that fast!

Oh, and don't mention the war ;)

hello, i come from potsdam near berlin and read your comment with interests.
george, you´re right. no question about that. but i can see that problem in many faces in every "sophisticated" european country. i also don´t want to go alone through some suburbs of paris for example (just to pay no attention to gb). no alibi, just a hint. i think thats not a german, it´s a problem and a challenge for our todays society. ps: apologize for my solecisms (:

wish you a nice time in germany!

Hi everybody,

I'm very happy that English people start seeing "Theee Germanz" (quote of "Snatch" movie) differently. I've lived in the UK for a while a couple of years ago when I was 16. During that time I realised how many common prejudges there are toward German people (I'm NOT saying that there aren't as many on the other side..) in England.
I'm very sad that I can't experience this change now since I'm currently based in south India for a longer period of time. Apart from having a great time over here I'm seriously unhappy about not being able to join the biggest party of my lifetime which is right now going on back home in Germany...
Oh and if the English team will really meet the German one in the World Cup I'm sure that the majority of the fans will not give up their new friendships with either side!

Joh from the sub-continent

Hi eveybody,

as a young german who has been travelling around the world quiet a bit, i am soooo happy to see those various people from around the world havin a good time in germany!!
this is a wonderful experience and i am having a hard time finding the appropriate words to describe my feelings about this. especially in these difficult times which seem to be full of hate, distrust and prejudices its a relief to see that people with most different cultural background can have a great deal in common: we are all humans, love the game, and love to celebrate this fest together.
thanks to everyone around the world for those good vibes!!! really gives me some hope for mankind!even if england should win the cup

Nice opinion about Germany. I hope the Champion will be an European country. From Berlin to London...Waw

Actually, being a good host is mandatory. However I would also not be unhappy if Germany finishes first :)

nobody out there probably understands what this means to us here in germany. i am 36 years old, and, like everyone here, grwe up with a feeling of shame, shame of the most barbarian crimes in modernity. a shame that is difficult to carry when you are young. i love my country. it is not better or worse then any other, but it influenced me, and it shaped me, and like veryone else, i wanna be comfortable with it. the last 60 years have been a permanent effort to reintegrate ourselves into a family of peace-loving, relaxed, civilised nations, and it dominated every aspect of political and social life. every aspect. there is a very, very strong feeling that we achieved it, and it is breaking free in these days, and it is beautyful. it is amazing. that is what the flag waving is all about, the smiles and the relief to have the world here, and to enjoy every minute of it. i do not think you can really understand what that means. a country - happy, and loosing it´s demons. these days will change germany forever.

Thanks to all who wrote so many positive words about Germany and the Germans. But it's not only the Germans who are responsible for the lots of positive vibrations arising all over the country around this world cup. To me it's also you! The people from all over the world, that come to visit us, to watch the matches in the stadiums, at the public viewings or in the bars. The people who join on the streets, dancing and partying together no matter where they come from. This is really great. To me the most surprising thing, that I hope will last for a very long time, is the great amount of smiling faces on the street, enjoying their lives, talking and smiling to unknown people. I never expected something like that being possible in Germany. So again, thanks to all of you and let's hope the this great event will continue peacefully.

Greetings from Dortmund

Hy I am German and I am very proud that I can read these nice post about Germany, about me! Thanks!!

Hi everyone!

I'm really wonderfully surprised to read all the positive comments about Germany - and I can't wait to feel the atmosphere myself, we're heading for Germany on Saturday! We're boarding the ferry at the same time that Germany's playing Sweden. I'm glad it's Sweden so I'm not missing an encounter with England, hehe!

I'm a German living in Scotland. I have not had any bad experiences at all but it appears that it is more the English that are obsessed with the War (and Nazis) rather than the Scottish. Most of the WWII and Hitler stuff is in fact coming from England, incl the 'Hitler Channel' on TV (officially known as UKTV History). Not a day without at least one programme on the subject not to mention the occasional all-day special. That's just frustrating in my eyes. No wonder the relationship can't improve if British TV [and newspapers] always refer back to the one thing. Also, History lessons in British schools focus on WWII extensively but anything later than that and what has happened in Germany since is being blissfully blanked. It was shocking to read about Benny's experiences in Canterbury but it's not suprising really when you look at the above.

As for the humour: Germans do have humour - the British just don't understand our humour as a lot of it is based on the language itself, the way the sentences are formed and the prounciation. Sometimes something said in a really serious voice is indeed rather funny - because it was spoken in a serious voice! That it of course hard to translate and the humour gets lost. Another thing is that humour varies from region to region with the local dialect. Also hard to grasp in tranlation. British humour is often based on play with words and sexual situations. Both do not really work in German. Let's face it, British people/society is relatively prude compared to Germans so jokes on sexuality are not that impressive to Germans. Just one thing: no one in Germany would ever go to a sauna with the swimsuit on! :-)

I think it is time that the German people find their national pride again. I'm sick and tired of the governmentally decreed "but think of the past- we've got to keep a low profile!" thing, stop teaching this to the children in German schools! Would you believe I have not once sung the German national anthem in my 32 years of age!

I think part of the misery in Germany is the lack of national pride, this is what keeps people of East and West 'emotionally' apart even after 16 years. It is time to come together as one nation and value the variety of culture we have in Germany!

On a lighter note: I am very happy to see that my country is getting positive press at last! Thanks everyone who has been to Germany and found the experience worthwhile. Spread the word!

*Ametyst*

Guten Tag all :-)

I took my time to read Laura´s article and all 138 replies. My chin is wobbly and my tissue wet from the little tears that I wiped away in the last half hour.

Ametyst, you wee gem, you hit the nail on the head with your observations. You saved me some time because I would have written more or less the same.

Auf Wiedersehen in Germany. ANY TIME you come to my country is "A time to meet friends"

Tschüss and regards from Gelsenkirchen

Bea

Finally ...

...someone pulled those stick out of those german ar*&es!

It's an overwhelming feeling (for a "Kraut") reading
over all those comments!
Most has already been said so I'll try to keep it short.

In a post-war Germany being proud of your country used to be
a rather diffucult task. Just a few years back the majority of people would have considered someone with a german flag on his car a Nazi.

Not anymore!!!

To me, you make the difference this time - YOU, the rest of the world.
You are the ones that "granted" Germany the right to a new kind of
national pride - a pride pretty much every country has but one that
Germany coulnd't afford. A pride that has nothing to do with facism!
Germany has to thank you!

We just want to give you a little something in return. And everybody
who has been here before knows that Germans can have a good time.
As many others before I think the sense of humour got lost in translation
since we started saying more than "Jawohl mein Führer".

I think this "little" football-event made it possible for Europe to grow together in a way none of us would have expected.
Come on England! We'll squeeze together over here!

Let's just hope that this spirit remains long after Germany has won the
world cup ;)

So come on over and let's all party together peacefully
"Forgive, but don't forget!"

Cheers mates! See you in the final!

Ben

A. Harris, glad to see that you`re back in your cave - have a nice time there. And to everyone who lives in 2006: welcome to Germany and thanks for all the positive comments ;)

PS: little boys are not as dangerous as they might look like, so please don`t be scared

Harris,

you are a dumb idiot. I don't think that you really had been to Germany these days. And comparing today's pride in Germany (because of the World Cup) with 1933 is really more than ridiculous - it's stupid!
Shame on you, you dumbass!

Thomas

To A. Harris:
Named after the general, aren't you? Or are you the general? Could be since you claim to remember 1933.

But what disturbed me (as a german) the most about your message: you call football soccer. How weird is that?

Hello everybody,

i was in Frankfurt when England had their first game. The English fans where really nice. On thing astonished me. A drunken fan gave a dosser money. The British are nice people.

Thanks Alex

A. Harris:

It's people like you who refuse to accept reality and thereby keep outdated prejudice alive.

Must suck to be stuck in 1945. Should I ever invent a time machine I might stop by and take you to the 21st century. Or at least to the year 1990 where you shall spend the rest of your days watching the penalty shotout between England and Germany on continuous loop...