Frankfurt for Fußball (soccer) and the Christmas Market

Only two weekends left in Germany and Jo and I just had to get to a fußball match before we left.  Our fellow German LGO recommended the Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FSV Mainz match as one worth seeing.  Before the game got started, we decided to check out the Christmas markets in Frankfurt.  I was quite surprised by how many people were out shopping at these booths.  Like every other event in Germany, there was an alcoholic beverage of choice (this time it is a warm wine called glühwein).

After the markets, we headed to the arena.

It was no different from a large American sporting event as far as the atmosphere outside, but there were some surprising differences inside the stadium.  First of all, I am pretty sure that everyone in the arena has a team scarf.  Now it was cold enough for a scarf (Jo and I each bought one) but I would bet they have them even when it is not cold.  One of the cheers that everyone in the crowd did at the beginning of the game required you to hold up your scarf with the team name facing the field.  Another fun difference was all of the flags.  you can tell from the upcoming picture how many people had flags (and not just little 3 foot flags...enormous flags on poles).

Something that surprised me was that the announcer for the game led the home team in cheers throughout the entire game, regardless of whether the game was in play or not.  In America, stadium announcers and bands typically do not make noise during game play.  Finally, the biggest surprise was that the home and opposing fans lit pyrotechnics in the stands during the game...and security did nothing about it, which implies that this is normal.

• Notice the amount of security around the opposing fan section.

Leaving the arena also reiterated how much security was needed to control soccer fans.  While living here, I may see a cop every couple of days which is not very often compared to Boston or anywhere else in the US that I have lived.  Outside of the stadium must have been more than 100 cops to control the crowd between the 2-3 block walk from the train to the arena...not to mention all of the security inside and posted at other locations.  Silly soccer hooligans.

• Jo and I figured buying a home team scarf gave us a 50/50 chance of not getting beat up by hooligans.