Nürnberg

Ground: Frankenstadion

Visits: 1

Date: 22nd June 2006

Match: Ghana - USA 2-1 (FIFA World Cup 2006)

Attendance: 41 000

Frankenstadion has been the home of FC Nürnberg since 1966 but was inaugurated as early as 1928. Next to the ground is the Zeppelinfeld which was used by the Nazi party during the 1930s for huge party rallies. Up to 150 000 people could be gathered here and standing on the top of the Zeppelinstand it was not difficult to think back in time and imagine what it would have been like in the 30s. There were many US fans at this game and for them this was a good opportunity to mix football with reflecting of what sacrifices their soldiers had done to liberate Europe. The modernised Frankenstadion has a capacity of 47 000 but for the all-seated World Cup matches the capacity was 41 000.

My seat was in the southeast corner of the ground which was in the middle of the US section. To hear them sing the American national anthem was a magnificient experience and is another type of moment which makes the World Cup so special. There was much at stake before this game. Both countries had the chance to go throught to the knock-out rounds and Ghana started the best and took an early lead. USA equalised later in the first half and it was an interesting second half to look forward to. Shortly after the break Ghana was awarded a penalty which gave a 2-1 lead and despite doing their the best the US team could not find another goal and the game ended 2-1 to Ghana. This was my fifth game in this World Cup but I knew I had biggest of games left, a Germany-Argentina quarterfinal in Berlin!

zeppelinstand