Tailgating in Germany??

[NBlue]

Count Me In. I will be tailgating in Gelsenkirchin & K-Town and will ensure that a heck of a lot of good German beer is consumed!


btw, though the terrorism angle is a legit concern, would it be possible to consider that on another thread rather than to tear this thread apart with that discussion. tx.

[AGF Aarhus]

Many times. I was just thinking of the way we tailgate in the US compared to what I've experienced at games overseas. Not exactly the same thing.

Have you ever seen a whole series of BBQ grills all over German parking lots with people grilling food? I haven't.
Have I seen Germans tailgating in the same fashion as Americans? Of course not. But that wasn't the point. The point is that I see them in the parking lot and near the gates getting leathered before every game, and yes, there are normally a few people in the parking lot grilling meat.

This means that it is allowed and the Polizei couldn't give two sh!ts about it.

[Iplayedforchelsea]

Basically the main concern I have is that we don't have US police/military there protecting us. It will be Germany's police. They don't quite have the same intelligence about terrorist movement that the US has (unless the US shares all its info with Germany for the WC, which is possible if not probable), they are much more vulnerable based on geography and that there are many Arabs living in Germany so blending in is no problem, and they don't have the same capabilities the US has to protect against terrorism in the US (militarily, and police force strength, though this will probably be quite good during the WC).

The issue is that there are very likely going to be large, visible congregations of Americans (at least a few hundred) together in Germany during the WC in insecure places where it would be extremely easy for a terrorist to attack them (as long as the German police didn't know about it ahead of time). On top of that, I'd think (not having thoroughly studied the Al Queda psyche) that an attack at the WC is probably the best, most visible way for Al Queda to send a message to the US that no matter how hard the US tries, they will never be able to stop them. And I think this message would ring loud and clear if it happened, which makes it that much more disturbing.

And an attack could happen on a train or bus on its way to the US game, at a tailgate before the US game, in the actual stadium (highly unlikely due to high security), or anywhere else where there are large congregations of Americans (maybe in Hamburg at a USMNT training session or something like that).

It's an annoying thing to think about, but I think everyone should be aware of the risk, especially prior to and during the first US game just to see how things work there.

Personally, I agree with you that it is probably no big deal, and I don't plan to significantly alter my plans because of fear of a terrorist attack. But I will be vigilant while I'm there.

I say that "al Queda" probably knows that killing a bunch of people at the WC is probably not the best way to earn the support of pretty much anybody, anywhere.

[scarshins]

Toby Keith? Man, I'm heading over to the beer garden ;)

That is, if I get tickets at all

[El-Professor]

The Germans are excellent at counerterrorism, probably better than us. Living at the crossroads of Asia and Europe with a large Muslim population, they have their shite together. Besides, most Muslims are soccer fans.

I'll have a car in Germany (two actually, station wagons) because we are staying in the countryside about ten minutes from the Idar-Oberstein station. We may drive to the K'lautern game because it is so close (train takes a circuitous route there from Idar-Oberstein). If so, we'd love to throw a US tailgate bash.

[dfb547490]

Toby Keith? Man, I'm heading over to the beer garden ;)

That is, if I get tickets at all

When you're trying to work people into a hypernationalistic fervor, accept no substitutes. :D

[frenil]

Don't forget to bring Bud (light) and the chicken wings from KFC.

[T Nitty]

My experience in London is that the tailgating is done in the nearest pubs, then everyone walks a few blocks to the match. Hopefully Sam's Army or USSF will organize something before/after each game.

Is Buttweiser still the only thing that will be sold in the stadiums? If so, I'm definitely doing my drinking pregame.

Oh, it's not like the terrorists don't have thousands of US targets in Germany already. If we do not tailgate, then the terrorists have won. :)

[El-Professor]

Oh, it's not like the terrorists don't have thousands of US targets in Germany already. If we do not tailgate, then the terrorists have won. :)


BRAVO!!

I went to a B'liga match in Stuttgart five years ago and they only served kick-ass bier and juicy wurst. Frankly, that was as good as any tailgate, price wasn't bad either though I suspect it will be higher for this event.

[The Wisdom Cube]

My experience in London is that the tailgating is done in the nearest pubs, then everyone walks a few blocks to the match. Hopefully Sam's Army or USSF will organize something before/after each game.

Is Buttweiser still the only thing that will be sold in the stadiums? If so, I'm definitely doing my drinking pregame.

Oh, it's not like the terrorists don't have thousands of US targets in Germany already. If we do not tailgate, then the terrorists have won. :)

They are also selling Bitburger

"The agreement means that Anheuser-Busch and Bitburger beers will be served in general public areas at FIFA World Cup stadia."

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/041222/1/2v06.html

If we don't drink, then the terrorists have already won.

[El-Professor]

If we don't drink, then the terrorists have already won.


So much wisdom, I shall remain drunk the entire time.

[Ronaldo's Idol]

There is a reassuring article at soccernet.com: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352413&cc=5901

saying that basically the US is sending terrorist specialists to Germany and is sharing all its intell. I'm very glad to see that.

Don't worry, I'll be having a merry time the whole month, no doubt. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, and I agree, if we stop drinking the terrorists have already won. I'll be cookin' up hot dogs and sluggin' down bud light just like everyone else. I am ridiculously psyched for this WC and I think it will be the US's final stamp on the fact they are among the best teams in the world and are legitimately top ten.

[MikeLastort2]

Have I seen Germans tailgating in the same fashion as Americans? Of course not. But that wasn't the point. The point is that I see them in the parking lot and near the gates getting leathered before every game, and yes, there are normally a few people in the parking lot grilling meat.

This means that it is allowed and the Polizei couldn't give two sh!ts about it.

Just saying that what we get away with in parking lots in the States is quite a bit different from what I've seen in Germany.

[Bill63]

For God's Sake! The best beer and brats in the world all served up for you and me. Why would I want to lug anything but my big lard ass around? We'll all be able to recognize each other and share a beer. I'll be the guy screaming s*** in English, waving a beer stein in one hand and an American flag in the other! Look for me!

[roadkit]

If we don't drink, then the terrorists have already won.

Are they in the Group with Iran?

[El-Professor]

Are they in the Group with Iran?

Ouch.

Keep in mind that we must be sure and fight them over there, so we don't have to fight them over here. Unless of course I'm over there, in which case we should fight them somewhere else. And if people in that somewhere else complain about it, tough titty, I'm fighting for my freedom, er, somewhere.

[Goalieo]

I will be tailgating in the parking lot drinking as much German Beer and eating as many brats as my stomach can handle if I get tickets. I will also bring my Team America World Police Soundtrack so that the "Derkas" know where to find us.

Here is hoping that the only bomb that goes off during the world cup is Irish Car Bombs, Columbus style after a sweet US win.

[roadkit]

I will be tailgating in the parking lot drinking as much German Beer and eating as many brats as my stomach can handle if I get tickets. I will also bring my Team America World Police Soundtrack so that the "Derkas" know where to find us.

Here is hoping that the only bomb that goes off during the world cup is Irish Car Bombs, Columbus style after a sweet US win.

My guess is after all that Brats & Beer there will be a few "Brown Star Cluster Bombs" detonating around Deutchland...


:eek: :D

[gngrasso]

Count me in on any Kaiserslautern tailgate party. Ive got a rented beemer at franfurt airport. I'll get insurance in case it gets trashed!!

[gngrasso]

PS

Before I get blasted as some bmw-driving elitest rich yuppie newbie, be aware that I'm not. I just have decided to allocate a LARGE part of my savings account to this trip and do it in style. I have been a fan and supporter of the national team for several years, just not on this board. Until a month ago I still had dial-up, and hated the internet.