EM Final

As two years ago for the World Cup, this year I once again watched the games of the German team at the Goethe Institute in San Francisco. Back in 2006 I had met some people at the Goethe, all Germans who live in the city, and all football crazy nerds. Since then, we (and some other Germs who don't like football... IMAGINE THAT!) meet once a month at a German restaurant in town for Schnitzel, Spätzle and beer and to loudly discuss Gott und die Welt. It's what Germs call Stammtisch. And it's what with 15 I thought was absolutely uncool. Sigh... I am getting old. Anyway, this year's EM, we watched the games together at the Goethe - along with a few hundred other crazy Europeans, "soccer" loving Americans, and at times quite amazed (given the huge turn out) Goethe Institute employees.

For the final last Sunday hundreds had showed up and soon lined Bush Street

waiting for the doors to open. Everybody cramped into the downstairs hall, where normally the Goethe shows movies or holds other cultural events, and where for the tournaments the games are being shown on a huge screen. Within minutes the air was really bad, the temperature unbearable, and the noise level tremendous. In short, perfect conditions. The only thing missing: beer. Instead we had Starbucks coffee.

Well... we all know what happened, the Spaniards won the game - and they deserved it. They played by far the most consistent throughout the tournament, dominated the game for the most part and after all finally won a big title after 44 years. Still, I think if the German team had scored during the parts of the game, which Germany clearly dominated, we could have had a chance. But we didn't , and we didn't. No chance whatsoever... Good for Spain! Excellent game! (And in the end: anyone, but Italy!!!)


At least I could also share the experience with two very dear American friends, Adrian and Braden. I think they had a good time and even got a bit into the game. Not bad for two theologians...