大象传媒

A matter of German pride

• Gill Farrington
• 20 Jun 06, 11:03 AM

Hi it's not Gill it's Martin here, a producer on the programme. I've only just got back in the office after a holiday in - yes you guessed it - Germany. Well I say it was a holiday but I did spend a lot of time talking to fans and finding out what they think for the programme.

One of the first things you notice when you arrive in Germany is the number of flags being flown. It seems Germans, who for a long time were embarrassed to fly their national flag, are now doing so with pride; on cars, apartment balconies and in offices and restaurants. One of the busiest shops I saw in Cologne's main shopping street was one selling World Cup souvenirs. The most popular items were replica German shirts.
This newly discovered national pride seems to coincide with a new style of football too. Gone is the solid defence of old with experienced players grinding out goals. In comes a young side playing attacking, open football.
Later tonight we'll find out if they beat Ecuador to top Group A. That's a match worth watching. But what about the other group game - Costa Rica vs Poland? Both teams are out and it's hardly a glamour tie. There's a similar dead rubber match tomorrow when Ivory Coast take on Serbia and Montenegro. They're both on a bus home after that match. So we've been thinking here in the office - is there any way of pepping these fixtures up a little? A breakaway tournament for those eliminated in the group stages perhaps? Just what would it take for you to tune into a game where there's nothing at stake?
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