Dear football fans, in the last two weeks I have twice visited the sold-out Berlin Olympic Stadium. Only in the 2nd league at Hertha against Dresden (2-0) in front of 70,000 fans. Then on to the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons (31:25) with 72,203 viewers.
And straight from the entrance control, it became clear: I want to see the same feeling again in football.
Crime thriller in extra time: HERE you can see the German NFL watch on video
While the Dresden fans were greeted by water cannons and hundreds of people and separated from Herthaner by a fence on the stadium grounds so things didn’t escalate – there was no need for police at football.
High risk and no risk games.
Due to growing fears of unrest, stadium visitors in particular are increasingly suffering in football – and not just in Germany.
Examples from the last week alone: There are innocent people in Paris BavariaSupporters were harassed and had to meet on short notice at a toll booth where there was one toilet (!) for 750 fans. In Nice, Freiburg supporters were detained on buses for 90 minutes.
In Naples, Frankfurt fans were again locked up after riots two years ago. In Stuttgart, VfB fans should be afraid that Feyenoord hooligans will stress them out.
The development? Doubtful.
Police officers wear protective clothing at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium
However, when it came to football, things on Sunday were as peaceful as the fairy tale days of summer – and so were the hopes for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The showcase of American talent, the passion of South Americans, the deep-rooted fan culture of Europe – combined, this could create a tournament the likes of which has not been seen since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Both in 2018 in Russia and in 2022 in Qatar.
The NFL Berlin game at the Olympic Stadium is a no-risk game
Or more clearly: It’s this incredibly intense football atmosphere, which also fascinated me at Hertha against Dresden, in terms of the peace of football. Just that!
