june 15th 2006 - Berlin
World Cup Germany 2006 football soccer Berlin Sweden Paraguay Olympiastadion Olympic Stadium fans
Alexi and I took the train this morning to Berlin, where we did some touristy stuff, had lunch, inspected the Fan Mile along Unter den Linden, then met up with my friend Debbie after she got off work. We watched the England Trindidad game on big screens, then headed over to the Oympiastadion for our first live game, Sweden vs. Paraguay. We then took a late train back to Hannover.
Alexi and i queued for an hour for the privilege of walking up the glass dome atop the Bundestag. the mirrored central column made it seem like there were more people there than in reality.
German worker doing maintenance of the floor inside the glass dome of the Bundestag.
Swedish fans touring the glass dome.
another angle inside the glass dome.
The England v. Trinidad and Tobago game is shown on the big screen at Berlin's Fan Mile, with the statue of Nike on the Brandenburg Gate just peeking out above. England fans' confidence starts to crack during the first half as Sven's men find it hard to break down a stubborn T&T defence.
"Welcome to Germany - land of..."
...louts?
England, Sweden and Germany fans watch the big screen at the Fan Mile in Berlin.
A Mexico fan has her picture taken with Joe Cole at the Fan Mile in Berlin while the England v. Trinidad and Tobago game is broadcast.
A young England fan can't bear to watch the England v. Trinidad and Tobago game on the big screen at Berlin's Fan Mile in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Sweden fans pose for a photo on the Fan Mile in Berlin.
Germany and Sweden fans in their big hats, watching the England v. Trinidad & Tobago match at the Fan Mile in Berlin.
Debbie, Alexi and James after watching England beat Trinidad & Tobago on TV in a beer garden in Berlin.
Blurry Debbie taking her inaugural train ride from Berlin's shiny new Hauptbahnhof.
The famous Olympiastadion in Berlin 2 minutes before kickoff of the Sweden Paraguay game.
The Sweden fans out-numbered Paraguay's by about 10 to 1.
The famous Olympiastadion (the Olympic Stadium) in Berlin.
Sweden fans capture their memory of the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Paraguay's goalie saves one of Sweden's many attempts on goal.
Finally, with two minutes of normal time left, Sweden breaks the deadlock.
Sweden fans are over the moon.
Ecstatic Sweden fans.
Flares go off in celebration of Sweden's last gasp goal.
The final whistle blows, Sweden fans celebrate victory over Paraguay.
Happy Swedes.
Happy Sweden fan with patriotic beard.
Sweden fans chant as they exit the Olympiastadion.
Swedish fans stream past the imposing columns of the Olympiastadion.
Who knew the Swedes did afros?
Berlin's new Hauptbahnhof (central train station) before our departure back to Hannover.
Midnight at the train station - Paraguay, Sweden, Czech and Mexico fans (and a DB employee with the spiffy red beret) represented on the platform at Berlin's Hauptbahnhof.