Online Diary: A Canadian in Germany

Kris Fernandes is a writer and advertising director for Canada's premier soccer magazine, InsideSOCCER. He has worked within the Canadian soccer community for five years in various areas including the community affairs coordinator position of the Toronto Lynx Soccer Club and founded a free soccer program for underprivileged youth in Toronto.

June 17: Prior to the start of the World Cup the German public's biggest fear was not focused on hooliganism from England and Poland. Nor did they cringe at the thought of the massive 'Oranje' contingent from Holland marching through their streets.

The most nerve-wracking possibility for them has been the thought of a potential terrorist attack from hardcore Iranian fans coming to watch their team play. To add jet fuel to this inferno, the Iranian President declared publicly that the holocaust did not happen and was a myth. He then added that if Iran progressed far enough into the tournament that he would come to Germany to support them. So when the Iranians rolled into Frankfurt on Saturday afternoon the streets, trains and cafes were all full of chatter from nervous locals about what might transpire.

Well I for one can tell you that their fears were immediately quashed, at least for today, as the Persian and Portuguese fans took over the city and joined in super friendly pre-match parties outside the central train terminal.

Green and red flags majestically waved high in the air as fans for both teams shared hugs and wished one another well for the match. There were thousands upon thousands of fans draped in team apparel and coated in face paint. The slogan for this years World Cup is, 'A Time to Make Friends.' It certainly fits the vibe that everyone feels over here and it is exactly why soccer fans are without a shadow of a doubt the best around.

I dragged my friend Marek along with me to the match and of course, with my family being of Portuguese descent, I am heavily anticipating all their games. So I dressed up in a big furry hat along with the authentic team jersey, shorts and even socks. I lent Marek a flag of the Acores, the island where my family originated, to wear as a cape and a Cristiano Ronaldo tank top so he'd fit in.

Both of us having white skin and dressed like circus clowns made us stand out like sore thumbs but without the embarrassment that usually comes with it. Instead dozens of fans came up to us to take photos and shoot video of the crazy Canadian fans cheering for Portugal.

The game itself was very solid as we got tickets for 60 euros, which is a complete steal when comparing the exuberant prices for other matches. The stadium never stopped singing in at least one section. God was it ever fantastic. Portuguese star Deco made his return to the team in this game and scored an absolutely scintillating goal in the top corner to put Portugal up 1-0. The Portuguese fans went crazy and I swore the stadium might collapse! They ended winning 2-0 and all the fans from both teams joined together, yet again, in song and dance while exchanging the shirts off their backs.

The party continued well into the night on the train as we went on our way to Munich. American fans who were celebrating their well earned draw with Italy got St. Patrick's Day drunk with some French, Portuguese, Mexican, English and Japanese fans. Australia takes on Brazil tomorrow and the Aussie supporters are flocking to Germany in droves and needless to say Munich is going to be on fire. One love through one game is certainly the feeling that I have every time I close my eyes at night and I have never been at such peace as a sports fan.

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