Hot summer days, public viewings in the sun and ice-cold beverages in the vibrant city centers. When Germany last hosted a football tournament, the FIFA World Cup 2006, it was titled a summer fairytale, or Sommermärchen, by the Germans, because of the unique atmosphere around the country. Now it's their turn again to host the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024. A nostalgic recollection of childhood memories by our German writer Johannes Häring.
EURO 2024: Echoes of Summer ’06 in Germany
In the Summer of 2006, my interest in football grew in the 6-year-old me as my family prepared for the World Cup in our home country. Colorful decorations of houses, flags, sticker albums and BBQs in the garden while watching the build-up to the tournament were some of my earliest memories during that particular summer.
What is the Sommermärchen 2006?
While strolling around Berlin’s streets and riverbanks, wherever your eyes wandered, you encountered painted faces, flags, singing, and jolly cheering from people from around the world. Packed restaurants, cafés and pubs showed the matches on their screens and were part of hundreds of organized or not-so-organized public viewings around the cities. People peacefully gathered to watch football; nothing else mattered.
A Summer Fairytale in Germany
As the anticipation rose ahead of the tournament, you could feel a deep sense of pride and national unity in Germany, as it was the first major tournament hosted by a unified Germany. The fulminant opening ceremony in Munich celebrated Bavarian traditions and featured World Cup legends like Jairzinho, Pelé, Lothar Matthäus and Gerd Müller. Minutes later, Philipp Lahm scored an iconic goal against Costa Rica to open the FIFA World Cup and erupted the living rooms and public viewings across Germany. A wonderful goal that many children have engraved in their mind, especially those who witnessed their first World Cup, like me.
The Bitter End for Germany
A quarterfinal thriller against Argentina followed and created one of the most memorable moments of World Cup history. A small note in Jens Lehmann’s socks contained the spots in which the Argentinians would shoot. The mind games worked and set up a huge semifinal against eternal rivals Italy.
But there was no happy end in this story. The German summer fairytale would come to a dramatic end when Andrea Pirlo snuck a pass to wingback Fabio Grosso who rifled the ball into the side netting. Defeat in the 119. minute. Silence and empty faces across the country. It was the end of a blissful summer dream and the final chapter of a magical football fairytale in black, red and gold.
Time for Another Magical Summer in Germany
However, the world has changed since 2006. German football is in an identity crisis, and the fans are split in their opinions. Over the last few years, a lack of encouraging performances and dull appearances by the stars resulted in uncaring and discouraged supporters. Among most, fear of another international debacle is spreading. After the disastrous last two World Cup eliminations and a Round of 16 knock-out against their English rivals at the UEFA EURO 2020, the hosts are worrying about another humiliation.
So through all of this grey mist of desolation, bleakness and dreariness, the German people will have to find sunshine, and their quest begins on June 14 against the Tartan Army from Scotland in Munich.
Where is the EURO 2024 Final?
In 10 host cities, Germany will welcome their European guests to play for the Henri Delaunay Trophy. Starting in Munich and finishing with the grand final in Berlin, the geographical timeline reminds of Summer ‘06… Everything is set for the ultimate football spectacle.
In June, the summer of football will kick off, a month in which Germany stands still and welcomes guests from all over the world to watch, cheer and root for their nation. Especially during international tournaments like these, football creates a spirit of togetherness and emotional connection like no other sport and that is what pulled me into the greatest game on earth in 2006.