The embassy feels compelled to warn American citizens about possible violence hinging on the outcome of Wednesday’s football game:
U.S. Embassy Warden Message: 6/25 UEFA Championship Semi-Final Match
June 24, 2008 Warden Message:
On Wednesday evening, June 25, Germany and Turkey will meet in the semifinal round of the 2008 European Football Championship in Basel, Switzerland. Various cities in Germany have set up viewing areas for the public to watch the live broadcast of this game. The “Fan Mile” in front of the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin is expected to draw up to 500,000 German and Turkish fans, Frankfurt am Main will host a public viewing area at the Rossmarkt, and Munich is setting up a large public viewing area at the Olympic Stadium where 30,000 fans are anticipated. Similar events are planned in other cities and spontaneous celebrations or demonstrations related to the match may occur throughout Germany.
Because of the high fan interest in this prestigious semi-final elimination game between Germany and Turkey, there exists the possibility that disturbances, including violent disturbances may occur before, during or after the match, which begins at 20:45. At a minimum, post-game celebrations will likely result in traffic congestion in larger cities. Crowds celebrating previous German and/or Turkish victories have blocked streets and rocked vehicles attempting to pass through them.
We remind American citizens in Germany that even mass gatherings and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
*I know Dresden’s expecting 10,000+ fans to turn out near us. We watched hundreds of police doing drills in full-out riot gear this past Saturday. It was trippy.
On this day..
- Well now I feel like an ass... - 2008
- Frankly Scarlet... - 2007
- Pimp My Octavia. - 2006
I so hope that the organizer of the Filmnächte has set up more exits by now. I saw the game Germany - Poland there and during the match all was fine. However, getting out was a real drag and people were getting extremely annoyed.
I’ll have my fun at the “Fan Mile” in Berlin. Wish me luck.
Janine - You’re a brave soul! I can’t imagine being in the Berlin crowd for the game.
Yep, we have been told to stay away from our local public broadcast too.
Caffienated Cowgirls last blog post..The Cowgirl Who Saw Too Much
Gee, we had about 6 cars parading through the street after the last Germany game here. Also, my ‘city’ of 110,000 doesn’t have public viewing.
I hate this place.
Js last blog post..Viva Espana!
To my knowledge we don’t have public viewing here either, but there are quite a few central bars with big screens. We went out after the Portugal game to take a look. Traffic was completely snarled and the partying fans were blocking the tram lines and pounding on those that passed through the crowds. But it didn’t get to the point where the police had to step in.
Here’s hoping for a happy, peaceful evening.
anns last blog post..I miss. . .
wow, didn’t hear about the crowds expected in dresden. i will be sure to stay home that night! although i don’t count on getting an early night’s sleep.
tessas last blog post..die Abenteuerin
Oh no, last time the US played Germany in the World Cup I went to public viewing on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg wearing a prominent “US Soccer” cap identifying me as an American. I guess that was pretty stupid, and was lucky that nothing happened to me. Lord knows what would have happened to me if the US had won.
Scott Hansons last blog post..Shattered
“Violent disturbances” eh? Like the ones that happen every single day all over the US at much higher rates than they do in Germany?
They don’t even have public viewings in the US so everyone who wants to get the group feeling has to get piss drunk having drinks shoved at them by bars then they go out and burn cars afterward (looking at you, oh-so-sophisticated Boston). So, uh…can’t be any worse here.
C. N. Heidelbergs last blog post..Soccer!
Yeah, I thought the whole warning was pretty damned retarded. It’s been fun laughing at it though…
Berlin Fan Mile was a lot of fun. I saw no true aggression, just lots of people out to have a good time.
Snookers last blog post..EURO 2008 Fan Mile Berlin - Germany vs. Turkey
Yeah, I’m still alive! And really, the Fan Mile was great fun. Especially, when the video was gone - I can’t remember seeing half a million people be that quiet.
yeah, and when we moved back here to the States, folks didn’t even know what the World Cup was! “Oh, that’s the sailing deal, right?” I kind of miss the threat of futbol rioting…
more cowbells last blog post..A Couple of Months in the Life