Advertisement

VIDEO: German TV pays tribute to Ireland’s Euro 2012 supporters

Germany’s national broadcaster spared a few moments to praise us. Hope Roy Keane wasn’t watching…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgNDljqGouE

(YouTube credit: )

WE MIGHT BE OUT, but the legacy of our jaunt to Euro 2012 lives on.

Last night, ahead of Ireland’s 2-0 defeat to Italy, Germany’s national broadcaster ZDF interrupted the analysis of former Mannschaft keeper Oliver Kahn for a couple of moments to discuss the contribution of the Republic of Ireland fans to the summer tournament.

Our favourite bit is the attempt to pronounce ‘Athenry’.

Here, if the captions aren’t working, is a translation of what they’re saying:

Katherine: We also may tribute to the Irish fans who can make such an incredible atmosphere in the stadium. Let’s put the question to Rudi Cerne in the stadium in Poznan – it seems we’ll experience this for the last time today, have they all shown up today?

Rudi: Katherine, I reckon a few more have come today, and naturally many of them are only now making their way into the stands. Around 30,000 are said to have come from Ireland, from the island, to see the last stand of the national team.

You have to say it’s a real pity that it’ll all be over after this. The adventure began in Poznan last Sunday, and the Euro 2012 adventure ends here this evening. A real shame, as it said.

They are also so relaxed, and uninhibited – plenty of others could follow their lead, they’re constantly singing and dancing – you get the impression that they’re at a summer camp when the supervisors aren’t around.

It’s a beautiful contrast to the nasty side that we’ve also seen here – I’m thinking of the rioting – so we ask ourselves whether tonight will provide another emotional moment like we had last time, when they were losing 4-0 in Gdansk, and they were all singing ‘Fields of Athenry’ – a ballada about a famine in the 19th century – and so celebrated their team shortly before a defeat.

Another question could be, what will happen with Giovanni Trapattoni? The fans have prepared a special composition for him, we’ll listen closely and see what the lyrics are, and of course we’ll look at the game.

Earlier in the week, the German commentary team had famously fallen silent during the final minutes of the 4-0 loss to Spain to listen to the voices of the Irish fans singing for their team.

Update: Stephen, the German resident who send us the video, has kindly gotten back in touch to point out that last night’s Spain-Croatia game attracted a German TV audience of 12.54 million – so ZDF’s platitudes had a seriously big audience.

In full: TheScore.ie’s Euro 2012 coverage >

Close
25 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Potts
    Favourite Andrew Potts
    Report
    Mar 14th 2014, 8:41 AM

    Some times the right ball is thirty meters into touch, it does forwards a power of good to get up from a ruck and to trot forward to a line out. It can feel like a three pointer. Also getting up and jogging back can be deflating for a pack. Nothing worse then battering away at the hard yards then some flash opposition outhalf gets the ball and drills you backwards for fun.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christiaan Theron
    Favourite Christiaan Theron
    Report
    Mar 14th 2014, 9:06 AM

    Whats just as bad is watching aerial tennis for 3 mins before some bright spark in the opposition back three decides that its time to run in 50 yard try.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Fitzgerald
    Favourite Keith Fitzgerald
    Report
    Mar 14th 2014, 4:02 PM

    Johnny Sexton must reach agood touch with every long kick or else there will be too may soft tries. Bo xkicking must be accurate also

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.