Euro Times Welcomes you!!

10 July 2002

Dear Pals,

Well, when we talk about the German’s way of life i.e. Efficiency, Economy etc., it can’t be really expressed in the way as in the recently concluded world cup. Simple relying on dogged determination and efficiency Germans had come till the final. Call it Ugly or Dirty football, they made it to final. Not many fancied their chances before the World cup including their own coach Rudi Völler.

Hence, WC Football final has become a main edition of Euro times.

Last month, whole Europe was running out of medicines, because of the football fever. Even I had taken a dose of Penicillin. J

There is no better chance to understand their passion than in watching the final with them. I decided to watch the match with hundreds of fans in the Main Railway station where match was shown live in a big screen. Quite a risk, I suppose, but for Euro Times I had to do it! (What a dedication!!)

Brazil Vs Germany

On my way, I met some fans in train who were happy to pose after my reluctant request. Quite Tense, aren’t they? U never know what will be their mood on their way back!

Loud noise of "Deutschland, Deutschland " (‘Germany’ in German) was reverberating in the whole building. Whenever Coach Rudi Völler or Goalkeeper Kahn were on TV, their name were enchanted in a high decibel and flags were frenziedly waved. (One fact: German are not always considered proud of their country, and flag waving and patriotic expressions will only be done during football matches.)

Some really BRAVE people were waving Brazil Flags whenever Brazilians had a shot at the goal.

After first goal because of a simple mistake by Kahn, crowd started showing desperation. I support Brazil, but was not that crazy to show that in front of hundreds of desperate volatile German fans. With the second goal, the writing was on the wall. Slowly, the crowd started to melt. I was already was being looked upon by few, which I hastily interpreted ‘Hey! This guys looks colored. After all, We don’t get many Brazilians to kick, how about this guy?’

Safely, I got out of that place. Atleast Brazilians are quite well-built, but I am no match to these guys. So, ESCAPE!! On my way back.., Saw Disappointed fans. Everywhere.. As Genius overwhelmed Economy!

Though beaten, Germans still were celebrating with laud horns in their cars in streets (Note: That’s a way to celebrate the victory, which will not attract any fine or punishment by police that day)

Some optimistic fans shouted "We’ll win in 2006!!". Well, could be possible, afterall 2006 world cup is going to be in Germany!!

Bits ‘n’ Pieces:

Everybody is crazy about football incl. Chancellor Schroeder. In TV, images of him jumping out of his chair whenever Germany scored in First round matches. Thought of Vajpayee. No way! He already had gone through two knee surgeries and could barely walk, leave alone jumping & cheering for cricket matches.
Though technologically advanced, Germans are superstitious too. German journalists were supposedly buried a 'Glueckspfennig' (Lucky Penny) in every ground they played in Japan & Korea. It will be kept in Museum soon! Veetukku Veedu Vasappadi..!!
My favorite moments: Reactions of the Coaches during every match in the bus stop kinda hooded benches. Outrageously comical.

Thats all for this edition!! Did ya know that 13th July is also "French Fries Day" ? Hooray! Now that I've got an excuse, I can behave like a true couch potato, throw my diet to the winds and jump into heap of French Fries! I am already thinking about that day as u see in this Foto.

chandru.jpg (26044 bytes)

Cheers!

Chandru

Editor,

Euro Times

http://eurotimes.50megs.com

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