Joyous celebrations erupted in Berlin and across the country on Saturday after Germany crushed Argentina 4-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals — and provided the team with more future inspiration.
More than 350,000 fans watching at a public viewing venue in Berlin let out a roar of jubilation for all four Germany goals and celebrated in style after the whistle with their team winning a spot in the semi-finals again after 2002 and 2006.
Germany coach Joachim Loew paid tribute to the mass crowds back home and revealed after the match that he used a film clip of fans cheering during the quarter-final 4-1 win over England as a motivational tool just before the Argentina match.
“Right before the match, we put together a film of some of the scenes of the fans celebrating back in Germany,” Loew said. “We showed it to the team right before we departed for the Argentina match. It was a film from the various fan miles and showing the fans in Germany celebrating during the England match. I think that’s the best motivation possible for our team.”
Discarding their normal reservations over public displays of patriotism, German fans wrapped themselves in their black, red and gold flags and jumped for joy.
Complete strangers embraced each other in celebrations on Berlin’s packed fan mile.
In Berlin, the enormous crowd watched the game under clear blue skies and temperatures that hit 38ºC. Tens of thousands more watched on big television screens at squares, at public pools and the shores of lakes across the country.
“I got goose bumps watching this,” said one fan at the public viewing venue set up between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column in the heart of Berlin’s government quarter. “Everyone here loves each other, everyone loves Germany. It’s a great feeling. We’re going to win the World Cup again.”
There were spontaneous car rallies in towns and cities across the country — with cheering fans ignoring recent warnings from the authorities that beeping car horns and hanging out of moving vehicles is against the law.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also got swept up by the scope of the victory over Argentina. She had predicted a 2-1 win and let go of her usual reserved style after the match.
“It’s overwhelming, it’s a dream, just a dream,” Merkel said in an interview with German TV. “I’m a cautious person. I didn’t start to feel good about it until we went ahead 4-0. I think Germany has accomplished something quite wonderful.”
Thomas Mueller also paid tribute to the fans back home.
“I think Germany’s quaking right now and so are we. It’s insane,” he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and