Soccer! Fussball!

Last night I went to my first large scale soccer game in Stuttgart. I went to a Fortuna Game in Duesseldorf a couple months ago with Stefan, which was more than memorable. Going to something on this large of a scale was really an experience to be had. First of all, the stadium is HUGE. Second, it's so loud in there you can't even compare it to the fans in the US. The only thing that was similar on the noise scale, would have to be a Cubs vs. Sox showdown at Wrigley or Bears vs. Packers. I don't even know if Stuttgart and Hamburg are necessarily "rivals" but you sure would think that given the way everyone was going so nuts. We got there and managed to squeeze our way up into the top rafters and of course there is no seating, you have to stand for the whole game. How else will you have enough energy to yell for the next two hours? Starting out...all seems quiet.

...then I see the large flag poles raised, notice the larg BLOCK flag that takes 20 people to hold up.

Then they call out the names of the players...

After that all hell breaks loose...

Sorry there is no sound :( But it was damn loud. Always remember too, if you go to a German soccer game, and they score a goal - don't have a full beer in hand and go with someone who can hold onto you so you don't end up with the wind knocked out of you! It was really cool and I hope that I can go again, except bring some friends from the US and show this to them. Totally unreal!

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