Celebrate the day
It's 17:50. 10 minutes to go. The fans unroll a big banner.
The players get back onto the field. It's probably the greatest moment in their career so far. We stand for the National Anthems. Die Luft knistert. 60,000 sing the German Anthem. This is loud. Gänsehaut.
Two minutes to go. 17:58. The teams are ready to go. The game has been kicked off. Germany vs. Costa Rica, June 9th 2006 - FIFA World Cup, Germany.
18:00. We are singing: Jetzt gehts los! 2 billion people in front of their TV. The FIFA World Cup 2006 has started. It's been a breath-taking day... So far. Now, let's hope we'll win... :D
We will do anything to support the team. I will be losing my voice. That's for sure.
After six minutes, Lahm scores his first goal. What a great shot, it is simply unbelievable. We are dancing on our seats, partying with each other but also with total strangers. The atmosphere is great. One can feel the relief...
A few minutes later - 1:1. From our position, we clearly see it as being offsides. The guy in the row behind us calls someone in front of a TV set. It's only been passive. A regular goal. We are shocked. It takes about two minutes and we start again: Deutschland, Deutschland, Deutschland,...
Klose, 2:1. Yeeeees! The best birthday present he probably ever gave to himself. And to Germany. Well done, Miro, we are so happy again. It's going up again. The game is not that good but it's certainly thrilling and intoxicating.
Halftime. We try to get another beer. Any one person can only buy three beers at a time. Can you believe it? The people here are really friendly. The mood is great. The mobile phones are running hot. It is a dream.
Second half. Time flies. After a few more minutes. Klose 3:1. Great goal, directly in front of our eyes. Our mood is getting better and better. Until the second goal. 3:2. Paulo Wanchope, a name to remember. Again, we cannot shake the feeling that this has been offsides. Why don't the referees see it? It's a nightmare. The defense is a nightmare and almost all the attacks go through Schweinsteiger.
Frings eases our minds with a great goal. 4:2. This is it. It's been a great great game and a thrilling opening game. The best I have ever seen. And the first I have seen live.