News: Germany fans feel pain from final-bound Span

Published in the July 8th issue of The Edmonton Sun. News


Germany fans feel pain from final-bound Span

LINDA HOANG
Edmonton Sun

Hundreds of German fans in the city hung their heads low in disappointment Wednesday as they watched Spain win the semifinal World Cup match against Germany.

More than 300 fans with black, yellow and red face paint, flags, Deutschland scarves, jerseys, even horns and cowbells filled the German Canadian Cultural Association (GCCA), 8310 Roper Rd., hoping to watch their country move on to the final but instead watched as Spain advanced with a 1-0 win.

“It’s just one of those things that happens,” said German-Canadian Chuck Lammers, who was decked out in a Germany jersey with a scarf wrapped around his neck.

“Everyone was disappointed,” said Tim Zibrowski, operations manager at the GCCA. “They were still whooping and hollering up until the last minute.”

Cory Gates proudly pointed to three stars on the emblem of his soccer jersey, indicating the fact that Germany has won three World Cups in years past.

“Both teams now, Spain and the Dutch, are playing for one of these stars,” Gates said. “We already have three. I’m not ashamed to lose today.

“Of course we wanted to see it go Germany’s way but Spain played a better game today,” he said.

Game results brought a completely different atmosphere to the Sherlock Holmes Pub, 10012 101A Ave., where the standing-room only crowd was predominantly cheering for the Spaniards.

“You could feel the energy in the room — lots of clapping and cheering,” described Joe Sand, general manager of the pub. “It was a zoo.”

“Spain dominated the whole game and certainly deserved to win it,” said Brent Billey, a Spain fan who just returned from a trip to Barcelona Tuesday.

The majority of Italians at La Dolce Vita Cafe in Little Italy were also rooting for Spain to make it to the finals for the first time in World Cup history.

“Once Italy is out, we cheer for the better team … Spain has that little extra oomph,” said Italian Joe Rosati.

“It was happy, happy,” said barista Stephanie McLaughlin. “Everyone was screaming and hollering.”

Still, many German fans, though disappointed, were confident that their country could at least take the third place spot in this year’s World Cup.

“We predict victory then,” Gates shouted.

Germany will play against Uruguay Saturday for third place. Spain goes up against the Netherlands Sunday in the final.

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