大象传媒

Understand what you mean about not wanting to make a quick buck. Last year went to the grand Prix in Germany. The beer at the track was 2.5 euros, exactly the same price as in the bars in cologne.For some reason I just cant see this being the case if I had gone to silverstone.

Nice to hear that the German fans are so decent....of course they probably don't think our team is much of a threat!
What is the word from these fans about how England can bounce back from the Owen injury? I think we may not get past Equador at this rate...your Swedish friend should feel hard done by today. SO what do you think about our response to the Owen injury? Have a vote here:

My thought is just hope Rooney gets his gas back....

Glad to see some Germans supporting England, and i've been coerced into supporting germany if (when) england are eliminated! I have to say though at the Frankfurt FanFest today pretty much all the germans were definitely behind sweden and rather boisterously too given the size of the party celebrating germany's win. All good natured fun though and I couldn't really care less that sweden equalised. It doesn't really get started until the knockout phase anyway, as long as England have any strikers left. Why take Walcott though if you won't let him on the pitch?! Answers on a postcard please.
Matt, Frankfurt

So pleased to hear that...

C'mon England...

loving your blog. I must say my opinions of Germans has changed after reading World Cup blogs by various people over the last 2 weeks. Keep it up mate.

england must be glad to avoid germany. . With the draw they got, this might be england year.

hi i'm pablo from argentina first time in your blog. i like it. i saw england vs sweden, i really enjoy the match,in my opinion if you want to win the world cup you have to beat the best, germany is the host we now what that means, england have the best midfield in my opinion and i guess the team will play better in the next round, don't forget you are england
owen is out but you stil have gerrard lampard beckham etc,also ecuador is the easiest team to beat.i hope england win becouse i just love england's style.good luck.sorry for my gramaticals error

I think the best thing to come out of this match is to see the much aligned Hargreaves play so well and be possibly the difference between the draw and a loss.

hi guys,

as a german who knows hargreaves from the bundesliga i never understood why this guy has such a hard standing in england. due to me he was among the best english players yesterday. give him a rest and the respect he deserves for being a really good and constant player. go and critizise someone who deserves it (you have plenty :) )

florian

Totally agree about Hargreaves. He's a tremendously hard working, honest player and didn't deserve the reception he got the last time he played.
Big up to our German freinds, great hosts!!

Hargreaves was, for all the criticism levelled at him over the last few weeks, terrific last night. Presuming Argentina win their group, we could be looking at a run to the semi-finals.

How in the world can any 'sane' football manager restrain Gerrard from an attacking midfield position?...and include Beckham as a starting eleven!!!

I'm an Englishman and live near Ulm. Nice to see it mentioned here. Ulm is close to both Stuttgart and Munich and I promised my 12 year old Ulm-born son that we would travel to either location depending on where England play in the last 16. For him, Munich against Germany would have been great because he is half English, half German, although due to years of brainwashing from his dad and other English relatives his favour would have been slightly for England. For me, yesterday's result is utter relief that we are now going to Stuttgart and the opposition is Ecuador. We may still lose, but the suffering will be less painful when we drive home without having to negotiate endless traffic jams with flag-waving, car-hooting Germans. Although it could still come worse if they meet in the final (pigs still can't fly, can they?)!

Great to see that England fans make (new?) positive experiences here at Germany! Maybe one day even the tabloids will realise modern reality... ;-) I am very happy if this World Cup has such great and positive results for many visitors.

In fact, English Football is held in high esteem over here. I am personally a long-term Arsenal supporter, I do have an Arsenal jumper, but none of my fav German team...(which is Dortmund, btw)

So, no wonder many Germany really do like the English team, nobody can deny the class they have in their squad. Even if they did not show their sheer quality yet,like Argentina and Spain did, I am glad we could avoid the early meeting vs England. For sure England would have made their best game...!

And yes, Hargreaves is a great player (very underrated), and I would LOVE to see Walcott finally. All the best of luck!

I guess that the "Sweden 2-2 England - agreed?" t-shirt is a reference to the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark in the group stages of Euro 2004 that ensured they both went through to the quarter-finals at the expense of Italy, irrespective of the Italians' result in their last match.

Know how you feel Keith in Ulm. I live in Geldern 100 kms north of Koeln, (Cologne). My Father in law was rib tickling me last night at the prospects of England facing Germany on Saturday, the Flag flying would have been the thorn in my side for the rest of the tournament, the possibility of England losing to Germany. I have taught my 5 yesr old German born Daughter to chant "England" whenever we visit the family, she has also started chanting it in Kindergarten, much to the delight of her Teachers...
Good though my Family cheer England on when they play and me Germany when they play.

I'm spending the majority of the Cup in Hamburg and before I came, friends reckoned prices would be hiked up for everything in Germany, but I've discovered that if anything it's the opposite, as bars try to entice customers in. Also, there's a great feeling of friendship from the Germans to not only the English fans but to everyone and the atmosphere when watching the matches could not be better. The celebrations on the Reeperbahn after Germany's games are very rowdy, yet I feel fine walking through them with an England flag.

It is nice to see how this blog can change the idea the English have about the Germans. There are too many prejudices here not only about the Germans, but about almost anybody who has not been born in England and is not white. Apart from that I disagree with Pablo, the Argentinian who wrote the comment no. 7. Ecuador is not the easiest team to beat. Do you remember they just beat Argentina and Brasil in qualifying? Ecuador lost to Germany with half their first team. Besides, taking into account the way they played the first two games, and the regular form of England, Ecuador can give a surprise. Pablo: As a Colombian I tell you that you can like the English way of life, but it does not follow from it that you have to sell your fellow Latinamericans.

I'm not surprised that the Germans are so hospitable..... I've a few German friends and contacts they're great people! Hopefully our tabloids will figure this truth out too and stop filling people's heads with nonsence....

well done to germany it looks like a great world cup, one of the best in recent years, however my support for them stops their! i could never bring myself to cheer them on though, or scotland for that matter! hargreaves did look good, i always thought he was harshly criticised before jenas, why he at the world cup ahead of defoe or bent, only sven knows. and surely now the opportunity for walcott to take part has passed, i cant see sven bringing him on any time in knockout stages, as much as i rate him as a talent, there is no point taking a 17yr old who hasnt started an england or arsenal game, whereas defoe has proved himself

Honestly, all this rubbish about dropping Beckham is ridiculous. He is the best passer/dead ball player in the world!!! He has'nt set the world alight but that's not what he is in the side for. He has been one of the minority who has actually performed enough so far!!!! Don't forget both Raul and Zidane said he was the best player for Real Madrid last season!!! So lets lay off him and Hargreaves for that matter. He had a good game last night and done his job. If anything, criticise that fat layabout Lampard, he would'nt get into the England pub side on the carlsberg adverts!!!!

To Matt Lewis - interesting reference you made and one which was pointed out in the pub last night in Skellefte氓 (where I live) by another Englishman. Bitter tears into his bitter probably, but I couldn't help but give a slight nod of agreement to his (albeit alcohol-induced!) conspiracy theory that a) Gerrard had his eyes closed for his header (i.e. it wasn't meant to go in!) and b) A.Cole appeared to have run AWAY from the ball into the back of the net (i.e. damn, it was meant to be 1-1 so I'd better let this one in!) Not totally convinced myself but where there's smoke..........That said, I just can't see anyone agreeing to a fix which guarantees the weaker team meeting the Germans!!!

Another ex-Pat from the vicinity of Ulm here (in my case the village of Lonsee about a 20 minute drive away). Pleased to hear you enjoyed the game under the Munster. The spire you enjoyed is the tallest in the world. It is one of Ulm's claims to fame alongside it being the birthplace of Albert Einstein.

We watched the match and even though we didnt play the best in the second half we still ended up top of our group. In the first half the ball flowed for us even though all the players must have been wondering about Owen. Thats a bitter blow if he is now out of the tournament for good . The players we have like Hargreaves (superb game) J Cole (brilliant Game) and Beckhams crosses will take some beating if they can put them all together at the same time.Well done England we believe you can bring that cup home.
Brilliant blogging enjoying it all.

Once England scored against Sweden they became complacent at the back, both defenders and midfield players held off their Swedish counterparts giving them time to turn and run at the English in the critical last third of the field. Why this happened is beyond me but this must stop if we are to progress. I honestly believe we can win this world cup, on our day we will beat any opponent, each time we play I am so confident we will score not once but twice or more. If this complacency I mentioned earlier is addressed England will win the world cup, I am 42years old, a football nut and let me tell you, I have never felt this way regards any England team that鈥檚 competed in the past...Who agrees with me!!!!!

Yeah fellas

I've lived in Germany for 8 Months now and its a a completely different perspective I had before. Germany was the last place on my travelling list, but since I've been here its great, everyone is friendly and wants to help!! Still England through and through

i have been in munich for the past 6 days and i must say the experience has been very positive.people have not exploited the world cup to charge more other than in the actual fan zones where the beer is almost double the price and you cant take more that half a litre of water in. the australians have been great with their banter , especially concerning the Ashes, as i have been wearing my england cricket shirt for most matches.but most germans were supporting sweden yesterday against england.

I'd have to agree with the last post. I'm 36 and have never seen an england team with the potential of this one.

The frustrating thing is you only ever see bits and pieces of the teams players playing well. God help any team that comes against them when they fire on all cylinders. If they ever do !

I agree with you pete. i think this england team can win the world cup. They just have to forget they are english!! We seem to have this attitude where we expect the worse and get overcome with fear. Like last nite, how many times have you seen and england team either 1 up or drawing, all setting in our own half while an average team peppers our goal like a bag of chips. Also, I know we shouldn't take huge risks and i know stevie g scored but why do we bring on midfielders for strikers. As an opponent it can be nothing but a confidence boost to see the other team 'go defence', it tells you to press up and go at them, the centre backs are thinking 'great i only have to mark the lanky one, i can push up help with attacking duty.' It effects our midfield/denfensive distribution because we have NO options at all, so we are left with extremely tight football played just inside our own half which ends up with us giving the ball away again and again. I really do think Walcott should have had a run out last nite, esspecially seeing as we only have 3 strikers left to choose from and i DO NOT want to be playing 4-5-1 EVER again. Walcott needs his chance, we all saw him against belarus[I KNOW THEY ARE HARDLY ARGENTINA BUT......]. he had three touches of the ball. the 1st was a turn on 2 defenders that could only foul the kid and i know you saw the pace!!!, the second, a blistering 25 yd shot which i must say crouchie couldn't have put his boot to and the third he lost due to poor passing from [dont quote me!!] Jenas, i think. All that in 20 odd minutes. Sorry for moaning but i think the management need to rework this team and make it act positively instead of this negative attitude that blatantly effects the team. COME ON ENGLAND!! ATTACK IS THE BEST WAY TO DEFEND!!!

nav,

as a munich resident i just want to add people here don't seem to exploit the WC06 because munich is already one of the most expensive places in germany.
Anyway: have fun, party hard - live is short

England did well initially, considering Owen's injury. Later, we contained the Swedes very comfortably except for the corners and that throw-in!
Don't forget, our best player was absent until the last 20 minutes.

Just want to add my thoughts to the comments on Germany. I'm a Pompey fan living in Stuttgart. Watched both games yesterday with some of my German Sunday football team in a rock/footy bar. Home team success generating a big buzz. Huge party in Schlossplatz ( fanfest ). Free beer in bar after game! Great to see ( the hightened WC ) reality of Germany challenging a few tired old cliches. Even taught my friends some new English expressions watching England trying to defend corners! I'm just a bit annoyed I won't be here this weekend!!!

the foodball yeserday was fantastic. I enjoyed watching foodball, But when the are playing grap, I didn't like it. but the foodball was fantastic.They didn't play grap it was fantastic.

Well what he failed to mention was that they charge 2 Euro's to get into the fan fest area in Ulm. I would'nt mind paying if the screen was decent size/quality and the beer was'nt so cheap and nasty. Seriously Germany has much better beer than the ones brewed in Ulm itself (except for the Barfu脽er Brauhaus just around the corner from the fan fest)
I second his qoute about the Germans taking a liking to the England team. The beer garden where I watched the game was full of German fans cheering on England. BUT I think this was because they did not want to face us in the next phase...Next stop for England and Germany will be the Final...Come on England!!!

Watched the England Sweden game last night in the 'Fan Mile' in Berlin (I work there). Because it was after the Germany game, the place was full of Germans, most of whom cheering for Sweden, as they were of the opinion they would knock us out in the next stage. Better luck next time lads...

I watched the game in an Irish bar in Munich (where I live) and the atmosphere was great. There were plenty of Germans in, celebrating their win, and supporting the Swedes !The (free) Fan Fest at the OlympiaPark is fantastic too, and I was at the Nuremberg Fan Fest for the England v Trinidad game, that atmosphere was electric ! All in all, the Germans should be very proud of the World Cup they've organised. Only problem for me is the ridiculous ticket situation. Friend of mine paid 400 euros for a 'restricted view' ticket !

Im sure youre having great fun but this is all just one big jolly at the 大象传媒's expense, isnt it? Born out of the same desire that every Tom, Dick and Harry has these days to be part of any big event - especially football. I cant help thinking that most of the people out in Germany would have never in a million years wanted to be there before "footy" got so trendy....

As a German living in the Stuttgart area, I am very glad to experience that wonderful time during the World Cup. I am myself quite surprised about the German crowd, everybody is crazy about football. I spend most of my evenings in Stuttgart. The Fan Fest as well as the bars and squares are full with happy and hard partying people from all around the world, especially when Stuttgart is hosting a match. I was curious what people think about the World Cup and its host, so I checked some blogs. I am thankful for the positive feedback and I have to return the plaudit. Thanks to all of you coming to Germany for having such a great time. I found myself singing and drinking along with the Dutch football fans during their match in Stuttgart, which is a much bigger barrier to break than the old English-German football rivalry ;-).
Since I have the great opportunity to see the round of sixteen game in Stuttgart on Sunday, I would have adored to see England playing against Germany. Fortunately, we both rocked and got first in our groups, so we have to wait till Berlin on July, the 9th.
I am really looking forward welcoming England and Ecuador here in Stuttgart. My friend and I decided to buy some England tricots and cheer England to ensure the mentioned final.
If it won鈥檛 work out for one of us, we鈥檒l be having a great time anyway.

your absolutely right tariq , most people wouldnt be there ... thank god they are. football has the ability to cross boundries that diplomats and politicians cannot, and also aids to remove stereotypes and unjust predjudices that are formed in part by irresponsible media.

hurrah to the world cup (so far)

well done owen hargreves he stood up to be counted. Theo who? defoe/bent/johnson/vassel/beattie/fowler must be laughing their heads off and pulling their hair out at the same time.

Just got back from the England v Sweden match. I totally agree with you, the Germans are putting on a fabulous show and bending over backwards to be hospitable. Sat in the Swedish end at the match and had a great time with their fans. After my experience in Marsailles (France 98), where the Police, rival fans and locals made you feel like animals, it has restored my faith in the World Cup. I hope more English realise what a nice nation the Germans are and give them more respect. Good luck to both Germany and Sweden.

having read all the above comments it seems to me that the english are living on hope rather than reason, the standard of football was low from both sides which made it an interesting game to watch but that is all, but the lack of truly world class players in the england team means they will shortly be going out of the cup and it is only through the luck of the draw that england will get to the quarters or semi's. and all you exiles please leave your english baggage at home vielen dank

The best thing about this World Cup is the changing attitude to Germans from the fans that have travelled over, I agree with previous comments about certain elements of the media needing to change their outdated and rather silly generalisations of the German people. Having served in the Army and lived in Berlin and other places and with a sister domiciled there, I am glad that the fans are seeing the real Germany and not the cartoon Germans of the tabloid press, I only wish I could be part of it as everyone seems to be having a great time of it even though England seemed determined to make us suffer. But two halfs like the first half in the Sweden game and who knows we might surprise us all.

Dont't think for one momnet that the Ecuador game will be a walk in the park

Dont't think for one moment that the Ecuador game will be a walk in the park

I have to say as the Canadian son of an English father now living in Mexico, I have always been negative towards the Germans. I haven't forgotten WW II, my dad came home from Europe with Krupp steel in his legs, the Jews etc. I even like to refer to them as "the Hun." I read the German upset over the Angie Merkle photos and laughed at the the lack of German sense of humor.
But reading about the World Cup, the German hospitality and decency, good nature and the great reception given to our Mexicans and even the bloody English, I'm prepared to admit that Germany has really done a number. The Germany of 2006 is not the Germany of 1933 and people like me need to acknowlege that. Since reunification, the German people show a new-found national identity that is coming out in this Cup and is nothing like what some had feared. I'm glad to have been wrong! It is a pleasure to see this "new" Germany and I wish them all the best, and their great team! (Until they meet Mexico or England, that is!)

Hi,
I had an awesome night in Hanover last night, Costa Ricans, Poles, Germans and a few of us English people. I am based here every other week and have been looking forward to the world cup as have all the Germans I know. I have become a Fan of the german people over the last year or so and am really pleased with the way they have put this tournament on. Big pat on the back to the German for there spirit warmth and openness!!!

Hi,
I had an awesome night in Hanover last night, Costa Ricans, Poles, Germans and a few of us English people. I am based here every other week and have been looking forward to the world cup as have all the Germans I know. I have become a Fan of the german people over the last year or so and am really pleased with the way they have put this tournament on. Big pat on the back to the German for there spirit warmth and openness!!!

Hey guys,

I'm Erick from Ecuador. Well, what can I say? Ecuador should and will give England a good fight. My English friends don't be fooled by Ecuador's last game against Germany, Luis Fernando Suarez left 5 of his regular players on the bench. Ecuador of course is not Argentina or Brazil (although both teams lost against Ecuador during the South American qualification games). There is also no comparison between England's Premiere League and Ecuador's domestic tournament. However, long ago I learned that football it's a sport where hearts and minds almost played an equally important role than skills. Worth noticing it's that most of the Ecuadorian players were born in poverty and had probably no food or even a decent pair of shoes and found football to be their ticket out of the slums. One last thing, 10 of the 11 starters in Ecuador are black. Blacks constitute only the 3% of Ecuador's total population and where the largest ethnic group is comprised of Mestizos (65%) and Amerindians (25%). This fact speaks tons of the contributions of the black race to this small nation. Let's have a good game gentleman and let the best win. May God bless both nations. Vamos Ecuador con 帽eque!!!!!!

I just want to add my voice to all the posts from ex-pats cheering on England. I live in Canada and my local Anglo Club was packed with England fans for the Sweden - England game. Many like myself were born in England, many like my children were born in Canada to English parents and many more who support England for a variety of reasons. So when you are in your local cheering on England, remember that this scene is taking place in watering holes not only all over England but all over the world. C'mon England!

I麓m glad some of you people are having a great time in my country. I feel the small amount of clashes so far are largely fueled by alcohol and little else, the whole "hooligan" thing seems to be a remembrance of the past (for now).

One thing to note however: It麓s not [b]too[/b] out of the ordinary that foreign guests and particularly the English don麓t run into much problems here: my [u]personal[/u] impression (from being on many anglophone message boards and real contacts with Brits) is that this often-encountered "german-english rivalry" is largely a british idea.

There seems to be an almost religious belief among [u]some[/u] English that Germany still is the archrival, be it politics, economy or sports. [b]This is simply not an issue in Germany[/b] - in fact, I believe Germans are rather saddened (or amused) by all these "Let麓s Blitz the Fritz" or "Two World Wars and one World Cup" antics ;)

Bottom line: A German will mostly treat a guest like he treats the German, irrelevant of the nationality.

Hi there,
I really enjoy reading this blog - keep up the great work!
As a German living in London I feel really moved by the many positive comments about German hospitality and the great atmosphere in Germany these days. It is fantastic to hear that so many people have changed their negative attitudes towards our country and that even the British seem to develop a liking for Germany! Let's hope that the tabloids will finally realise that Germans and Germany are nothing like they have been trying to depict us for far too long!

Hi Paul,
I've been following your progress through the Faherland with interest. It must be the first major tournament where the hosts have invited fans to travel and watch the games either with or without tickets? Every credit to the Germans it sounds like they have given us all a lesson in hospitality, certainly a benchmark for the future? Paul Simpson new PNE Manager, is this good or bad? Answer on the back of a beer matt please.

Salut

Les.

without a doubt steeven gerrard is the best player for england.full stop.if any one argues with me come and give me a visit at 15 ur dreemin street.goodbye

about the entrance fees at the fan party: I don麓t know, how the people in Ulm did organize it, but if your traveling around Germany by now, you have to bear in mind, that most of the fan events are organized by volunteers or local city councils to provide some fun for the fans from other countries, who don麓t have tickets or are on their way to the next play. Theres no profit organization behind it,even when the people working their don麓t get money for their work, there are a lot of safety regulations to meet and some money is needed for energy etc.If drink+food should be affordable at the party,you must collect an entrance fee. Keep on celebrating with us, good luck for your team!

Why is everyone so upset about defoe not being included, all this saying he is proven at the top level and that, he has one goal for england in his 16 caps,

i know most were from the bench, but one goal doesnt exactly signal that he is a proven goalscorer at international level.

This 4-1-5-1 formation. Isn't it
really the old 2-3-5 line-up teams
always used to use. i.e Four mid
fielders (outside right, inside
right, inside left, outside left)
move up to flank the striker (centre
forward) and the outside backs (right
half and left half)move up to flank
the man in the 'holding' role? (centre half)?
It's back to the old 2-3-5.
There's never really anything new
maybe the old system will prove best.
It worked well for guys like Billy
Wright, Stan Matthews, Tom Finney,
Tommy Lawton.