http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgNDljqGouE
(YouTube credit: stiofanomaidin)
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.
You may not have the best football team, but you stole the tournament when it comes to celebrating and enjoying themselves, you make people smile, you are the best in the world.
Right! I have the solution folks! Stop everything! Its clear as mud what we need to do next May! SEND THE IRISH FANS TO THE EUROVISION!! They feckin love us! Irlanda…………12 points!
No hate here.
Are people starting to see the point of this?
The singing the other night served the same purpose as You’ll Never Walk Alone. It’s a statement of constancy and unity in good times and bad. It’s easy to sing when you’re winning, that’s why it’s an insult! No one outside of Ireland thinks they were celebrating a defeat.
The tens of thousands in the stands and streets represent the country as surely as the 11 on the pitch. Our fans have shown solidarity, graciousness, discipline and good humour. Compare that to what some others have shown
The first time a German has brought a tear to my eye!
Unlike Dame Enda…who has tears in his eyes constanty as Merkel squeezes harder everyday.
literally could not wait for the first Angela merkel comment!
Maybe they might do easier on our debt!
- ‘God Ted, we’re feckin’ great aren’t we?’
- ‘But we lost Dougal’.
- ‘Lost what Ted’.
If only there was a European Drinking Championship.
Germans could probably win that as well as the football.
It’s unofficially called Ocktoberfest, they have it in Germany every year, you should check it out!!
“Zey vill make excellent pets!”
Sorry, couldn’t resist it – like the germans generally
Does this mean all our debts are forgiven Anglea?
If only there was a European singing competition, oh wait there is, we sent Jedward and we were shite and lost :-)
Was at all 3 games and can say for certainty that the singing at the Spain match was the loudest and best I’ve ever heard.
Fans really showed off our country really in a flawless manner. We deserve money from failte Ireland in return.
I hope someone’s been keeping their barstools warm for them while they’ve been away, best “fans” in the world..
It’s ok, they don’t get that cold to begin with
U jealous Davy? U mad bro? Misery bags Campbell doesn’t like others enjoying themselves :-(
Yeah, great if you can speak german!
Or if you can read
You dZope
9
Green army
Ahh d irish….great bunch of lads!! Now…who’s round is it?? :-/