The DFB team is whipped to victory by the fans in the stands in the 2-1 win against Ivory Coast. The great support surprises even the national players.
You can experience the fact that football moves people and releases emotions all year round. But a World Cup can develop a different dynamic. While hardly any German football fans were in World Cup fever two weeks ago, the DFB team’s hearts are flying after their second win in the second game. Also and especially in the game against Ivory Coast in Toronto.
“Personally, I’m very surprised that so many are here. The whole stadium was actually Germany. I don’t think the fans know how much that means to us and how much strength that gives us.”said Nadiem Amiri, whose maternal family lives in Toronto and was there live: “The whole stadium was on fire at once, the atmosphere was great. It was like a home game. We are just happy that we were able to give the fans the victory.”
Undav makes the DFB fans cheer
Deniz Undav is particularly popular with German fans. The 29-year-old turned the game around with his brace and finally caused ecstasy among the German fans in the stands. “The fans have been calling my name again, I’m just enjoying it. The more fun I have, the better I can play”said the attacker about the support for the team and him personally.
In just 59 minutes of playing time, Undav has already scored three goals and prepared two and is leading the tournament’s scorers list. The demand for the top joker’s jersey is currently so high that the supplier is apparently running out of the letter “U”. “Adidas has to step on the gas and produce the ‘U’. I’m pleased that there are many inquiries about my jersey”Undav said: “I try to take the flow with me and enjoy it.”
In any case, the mood was good for the DFB team, even after the team had already left the interior. “It was nice, heard some music”said Jamie Leweling about the brief celebration in the dressing room: “We celebrated Deniz and ourselves as a team. We came back well.”
The next two games will take place on the East Coast
With performances like those against Curacao and the Ivory Coast, the national players are taking the hearts of the fans by storm. And they appreciate the support. “We know what it means to buy a ticket here and travel from Germany,” said national coach Julian Nagelsmann, also on behalf of his players, and praised the “sensational” atmosphere in the stadium.
The national team can also count on support from the stands in the final group game against Ecuador. From a sporting perspective, the game on Thursday (10 p.m. CEST) in New York is no longer relevant; the DFB team has already been declared group winner. The round of 16 will definitely be played again four days later in Boston in front of numerous loud German fans. And hopefully what Leweling said after the game against Ivory Coast still applies: “I think Germany is proud of us.”
