SWITZERLAND: SOCCER - Dutch and Italian fans arrive in Bern ahead of first match in Euro2008 Group C

Record ID: 1530482

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: SOCCER - Dutch and Italian fans arrive in Bern ahead of first match in Euro2008 Group C
  • Date: 9th June 2008
  • Summary: BERNE, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 8, 2008) (REUTERS) STREET IN BERN HISTORIC CENTRE, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, EURO2008 FLAGS FLOATING PEOPLE WALKING UNDER CLOCK TOWER STATUE IN FRONT OF CLOCK TWO DUTCH SUPPORTERS WEARING LION OUTFITS (ORANGE LION IS THE SYMBOL OF THE DUTCH TEAM) AND SHOUTING 'HOLLAND! HOLLAND' ** UPSOUND ** INSIDE TRAIN STATION, INFORMATION DESK IN THE SHAPE OF A FOOTBALL BALL ITALIAN SUPPORTERS COMING UP ON LIFT, SHOUTING 'ITALIA !' ** UPSOUND ** (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) SEVERO MONACO, ITALIAN SUPPORTER FROM BOLOGNA, SAYING: ''We believe in the group, it's not about one single person. It's the whole group who needs to stand together and head towards a sole objective!'' 8 .DUTCH SUPPORTERS AT CAFE WITH ORANGE BIKE STANDING IN FRONT OF GROUP, DRINKING BEER, SINGING AND LAUGHING DUTCH SUPPORTER WITH ORANGE HAT ORNATED WITH ORANGE FOOTBALL BALLS (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) RON PAAR, DUTCH SUPPORTER, SAYING: ''The last news is that Arjen Robben has been injured so it's going to be more difficult but I think we are still going to win, maybe with a small advantage 1-0.'' GROUP OF ITALIAN SUPPORTERS WHO LIVE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, LOOKING FOR TICKETS WINDOW OF CAKE SHOP WITH FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN CHOCOLATE ON DISPLAY FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN CHOCOLATE WAITRESS PICKING UP CHOCOLATE FOOTBALL ITALIAN FOOTBALL CAPS ON DISPLAY NEXT TO JEWELLERY AND WATCHES DUTCH FOOTBALL CAPS ON DISPLAY AMID JEWELLERY AND WATCHES INSIDE MEAT SHOP, MEAT IN THE SHAPE AND COLOURS OF FOOTBALL BALLS MEAT PREPARED TO LOOK LIKE A FOOTBALL BALL
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2008 12:45
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVAD9IB7LLI6JVH8JAPCRVC5YH75
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Wearying their trademark orange suits and wigs, Dutch fans arrived in Bern ahead of the first game of Euro 2008 group C that will see the Netherlands play against Italy. Despite a string of injuries in both teams, supporters are upbeat about their teams' prospects.
    Expectations ran high amongst Dutch and Italian supporters arriving in Bern on Sunday (June 8), one day before the first match of Group C.
    Wearing their team colours, Dutch fans dressed in Orange were highly visible throughout Bern's historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Dutch supporters dressed as orange lions were among those cheering near the train station where more supporters, including Italian fans arrived.
    ''We believe in the group, it's not about one single person. It's the whole group who needs to stand together and head towards a sole objective," said Italian fan Severo Monaco, from Bologna.
    Both Italy and the Netherlands have suffered a string of injuries in training but supporters remained confident about their team's ability to win.
    Italy lost its captain Fabio Cannavaro due to torn ankle ligaments last week. And fellow defender Christian Panucci is suffering a knee injury.
    On the Dutch side, winger Arjen Robben will miss the game because of a groin problem while Ryan Babel is out of the tournament and forward Robin van Persie is struggling for general fitness. But Dutch supporters are still hopeful that victory can be achieved.
    ''The last news is that Arjen Robben has been injured so it's going to be more difficult but I think we are still going to win, may be with a small advantage 1-0,'' said Dutch fan Ron Paar.
    The city embraced its role as a host city for Euro 2008 with enthusiasm with every other shop windows displaying football paraphernalia.
    Everything from chocolate to hamburger patties reflected the football frenzy sweeping Bern, while Italian and Dutch football caps were placed next to jewellery and watches in display windows.
    Several campsites have been set up near Berne to welcome the supporters.
    In Muenchenbuchsee (pronounce Munschenboorzee), the largest camp, some 1,000 football fans have pitched their tents.
    The camp has 5,000 places and costs twenty euros (31 USD) per person per night.
    Aware of the strength of the teams competing in Group C, Dutch supporters were cautious when forecasting results.
    ''I think the Italians and the French are actually one of the best ones so... It's a sad thing to say but the Germans are pretty good as well so.. I think that's the top four for me. Maybe Portuguese also, these are five I think the best teams," said one Dutch supporter.
    Dutch police and the national football association (KNVB) said they expect about 30,000 Dutch supporters to travel to Switzerland.
    Chief officer Stefan Blaetter (pronounce Bletter) said Bern police collaborated with the Dutch, French, Italian and Romanian police to establish an up-to-date list of hooligans.
    ''Of course, we have already established with police organisations of the four countries which are represented in Bern, we have already exchanged our information about hooligans. Of course, that has started some months ago so that now we are very good informed each other about what could happen,'' Blaetter said.
    The Dutch and Italian teams will arrive in Bern late afternoon for training sessions in Bern's Stade de Suisse.
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