GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thousands of soccer fans descend on Munich ahead of Champions League final

Record ID: 854841

  • Title: GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thousands of soccer fans descend on Munich ahead of Champions League final
  • Date: 20th May 2012
  • Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (MAY 19, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF MOSTLY BAYERN MUNICH FANS WEARING RED GATHERED IN CITY CENTRE'S MARIENPLATZ SQUARE OUTSIDE CITY HALL VARIOUS OF POLICE IN CROWD OF BAYERN FANS BAYERN FANS SINGING AND DANCING PAN ACROSS SINGING BAYERN FANS VARIOUS OF SINGING AND DANCING CHELSEA FANS PAN ACROSS SINGING CHELSEA FANS WITH BEER GLASSES IN HAND SCREAMING CHELSEA FANS HOLDING BEER GLASSES CHELSEA FANS SINGING CHELSEA SONG WIDE OF CHELSEA FANS SINGING (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA FAN LAWRENCE (NO LAST NAME GIVEN) SAYING: "We are going to have to win, we have no other choice but to win. We are going to win!" (SOUNDBITE) (German) BAYERN MUNICH FAN JOCHEN GOETZEL SAYING: "Of course Bayern will win, that's clear. The final is in Munich, they are hugely motivated and besides, it's their turn again, especially since they lost the cup final I am convinced that they absolutely want to win tonight. I am sure they will win 3-1" (SOUNDBITE) (German) BAYERN MUNICH FAN MARCO THIELMANN SAYING: "We already gave away two titles and today is the last chance. But it's the best title one can achieve. As you can see, the entire city is excited. The atmosphere is just outstanding and I think we'll win" CHELSEA FANS SINGING AND CLAPPING IN BEER GARDEN VARIOUS OF BAYERN FANS, ONE WITH MEGAPHONE, SINGING AND SCREAMING MAN CARRYING BAYERN FAN WALKING THROUGH FOUNTAIN BAYERN FAN RUNNING INTO FOUNTAIN TO PICK UP A SCARF VARIOUS OF SCREAMING FANS WALKING PAST, ONE KISSING CAMERA LENS
  • Embargoed: 4th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2A82USDTUR3E0MOFWG80S9NRG
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of soccer fans began gathering in Munich's central Marienplatz square on Saturday (May 19), hours before Bayern Munich was to play Chelsea in the Champions League final.
    Singing, dancing and beer-drinking Bayern fans wearing their club's colour, red, crowded the square while Chelsea fans wearing blue sang soccer songs and also drank beer in neighbouring streets.
    "We are going to have to win, we have no other choice but to win. We are going to win!," said one Chelsea fan who gave his name as Lawrence.
    Bayern Munich supporter Jochen Goetzel said "of course Bayern will win, that's clear. The final is in Munich, they are hugely motivated and besides, it's their turn again. Especially since they lost the cup final I am convinced that they absolutely want to win tonight. I am sure they will win 3-1."
    More than 63,000 fans will be at the Allianz Arena, with a further 100,000 expected to flood several public viewing areas in the Bavarian capital.
    Munich police, who will have a heavy presence in the stadium and the city, said they expected 30,000 English fans.
    Bayern fan Marco Thielmann said: "We already gave away two titles and today is the last chance. But it's the best title one can achieve. As you can see, the entire city is excited. The atmosphere is just outstanding and I think we'll win."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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