Germans celebrate opening win in style

FRANKFURT: The German win in Munich has started a party throughout the country and last night on my way back to my apartment in Griesheim, I was greeted by honking of car horns and excited German fans wearing the colours of their country and waving of the national flags.

Even subways were bustling with excited fans, some on their way back home and some for more partying as they greeted everyone excitedly that their campaign had gone off to a flying start. Even at the

media centre, where majority of the journalists were supporting under dogs Costa Rica, a thunderous applause at Ticos’ goals was greeted by a wry smile from all the volunteers.

But our hosts here had the last laugh and we all journos congratulated them after the 4-2 German win.

It’s refreshing to see even journalists supporting their teams and wearing their country’s colours while working. Even as I sit and write this column, I am flanked on either sides by at least 10 journalists frantically working in their England colours. It has been a real pleasure working at the media centre in Frankfurt, which is manned by hundreds of English speaking volunteers ever eager to help you out.

Gateway to Europe

Frankfurt, which is also known as the ‘Gateway to Europe’ finally warmed up to the World Cup fever with fan festivals and rock concerts kicking off. It is the largest financial centre on the continent, the historical city of coronations, the city of Goethe and the Frankfurt School. Almost one in three of the people living in Frankfurt do not hold a German passport. It is also Europe’s second largest airport, with more than 50 million passengers a year. Every day, around 350,000 passengers from home and abroad use the central station Hauptbanhof for their journey from and to Frankfurt.

Cider wine and sushi, skyscrapers and timber-framed buildings: Frankfurt is full of contrasts. It combines the modern with the traditional, the urban with the rural in a fascinating way. With its wondeful architecture, cuisine and people, Frankfurt makes a wonderful host city for the World Cup.