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We`re hanging out at the Euros 2024!
58 Plays7 months ago
Summer is here and the Euros 2024 have arrived at Leipzig. Richard and Mario have taken this opportunity to mingle with football fans from across Europe and create this bonus track for you.
Join us as Richard has slight reservations about CR7, the Dutch remind Mario about 1988, the French talk about sleeping with our wife and Croatian fans simply outnumber Italian supporters.
We have had a blast.
Thank you for listening to us. We’d be delighted if you could subscribe to our RB Leipzig Podcast and leave a comment.
You can also let us know your thoughts and suggestions to improve the pod.
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E-Mail: talk2us@rbleglobaltracks.com
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Transcript
Introduction and Metaphor of Betrayal
00:00:00
Speaker
And he actually said, well, it's like, you know, somebody else is sleeping with your wife. And I thought, yeah, that hurts. And you can watch it. another bloodside day yeah and they are shame me final same me yeah neland that like in hamburg yeah yeah like eighty eight
00:00:41
Speaker
That's you. Oh, that's you guys!
Introduction to RB Eddy Global Tracks and Leipzig Focus
00:01:20
Speaker
And welcome to RB Eddy Global Tracks, where two blokes, two Leipzig pundits directly from the heart of Leipzig just talk about football. Usually about RB Leipzig, but it's a summer break, the season is over. So, Richard and Mario are actually at the Euros because Leipzig is our city and so far we had had the pleasure of hosting six nations in three matches. And we would just like to share with you our experiences and the people who we
Experiencing the Euros in Leipzig
00:01:52
Speaker
met. Maybe we have some interesting audio clips we will see. So Richard, how the devil are you tonight?
00:01:58
Speaker
Hey Mario, thank you. Yeah, it's been a while since our last recording. Thank you. I'm fine. You had lots of fun during the so far matches in our beautiful city, in our beautiful stadium. Luckily, I managed to cut some tickets for the match. magic lady lady laes portugal Yeah, because I was intelligent enough, excuse me, to have this on my radar during the mid November, during the first phase of the tickets were sold. And yeah, so not all of us are so intelligent and
Ticket Planning and Event Buildup
00:02:35
Speaker
so alert. so smart Well done to you, mate. Well done to you.
00:02:40
Speaker
I'm a fucking smart ass. And so, yeah, I was ah delighted to to be there. But, you know, ah we will talk about this in a bit more detail in the next few minutes and the other games, Netherlands versus France and Croatia was Italy. The mood in the city was just amazing as well. Exactly. Maybe at the end, we share our thoughts about the impressions we have at the moment for how is the Euro doing? Is it good for Leipzig, the city of Leipzig? Is it a good thing for Germany? And you know what? Mr. Richard is so alert. He was so alert in smart November that E-Shaker actually got tickets for the knockout stages. So next Tuesday, we will host Austria and Raif Ragnik will come back.
00:03:24
Speaker
And I'm dying to know what Richard thinks about that. But let's go first. And Richard, I'm actually quite interested in the weeks before the tournament because there was a certain buildup in the media. But also here in Leipzig, I must ask you, did you notice anything of that? Did you get excited at that time? No, not really. I think it was a very slow start into this tournament. So um I paid a little attention during my way through the city center. And it was approximately one week before the tournament started, June 14th, when I first noticed some yeah some signs that there is in fact a tournament in Euro 2024 in Leipzig as a host city.
00:04:12
Speaker
ah So yeah, there were some, you know, signs as an advertisement signs, big signs that were built ah that I recognized. Of
City Preparations and Rising Excitement
00:04:23
Speaker
course, the central station ah was equipped with some Euro special, um you know, there are signs and gates and there was an upscaled copy of the trophy. and so on and that was like seven days before the tournament started when I was like okay um there's something going on and of course the Augustus plus our biggest square in the city ah was yeah
00:04:54
Speaker
um it was made fit for the for the Euro. So there were two stages with huge screens and and the program was published so every day. There are different bands and other activities on the big stage. Of course, you can go watch the games there. So as you did, and you will tell us in a few minutes, and But as soon as the tournament started, I was impressed how it was it's as if someone pushed a button. Okay, now the Euro is started and now we are all into it. And I am am fearing that this will be the same once this tournament is over.
00:05:37
Speaker
I must agree. I mean, it was a slow start for me as well to really notice anything apart from maybe some advertisement on the tramps. But surely I didn't go to the ah city center to the Augustusplatz in the public viewing area fan zone and didn't see that only until Portugal played Czechia. And so for me, it took a while to get in and it as well also because, you know, The German team didn't promise that much either, of apart from, okay, they had great games in in March, but we all remembered in November, last November.
00:06:10
Speaker
um When they played badly, we remember the last few tournaments and I know it's a tournament on home soil. It's also Leipzig being a host city. It took me a while to get into it. And maybe it's also because there are many things, many else other things happening around um in personal life as well. But as soon as it started, it was similar. I picked that up with what you just said, picked that up as well. As soon as it started, people were starting to talk about, especially the Dutch coming over to Leipzig. And I think this goes back to memories in 2006. When we had an Oranje invasion and it was so great and a lot of people party and they kept talking about it for years to come
Weather Challenges and Fan Zone Experience
00:06:46
Speaker
afterwards. And it was similar this time as well. So people were looking forward to it. And well, the first encounter in the city we had or I had was ahead of the Portugal Czechia game. Of course, I didn't have any tickets. So with the next colleague from Holland, he was there a couple of days early before the Dutch arrived.
00:07:06
Speaker
We were going through the city and I noticed, okay, people in Portugal shirts, Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, the little kids as well. I thought that was quote quite funny and ah nice to watch, but also a lot of people are supporting Czechia, I must say. And I had a reminiscent that reminded me of the World Cup ice hockey termbin and tournament we went to in May, to Ostrava in Prague, because there were also people in ice hockey shirts, and Yagami Yaga, I suppose he was playing for Jake here as well.
00:07:38
Speaker
And it looked quite familiar, but it wasn't at football wipes yet. And this ah friend of mine and and me, we just ah continued to the fan zone, which is at the Augustusplatz, which is the ah location for our opera and our symphony <unk>mphony hall, the biggest square and also the square where all the demonstrations took place in 89, as well, so quite quite ah famous. and um There, this setup with the ah two public viewing big screens, terminals, the big stage, the DJ, having to go through security to get inside, that reminds me so much of Prague and Ostrava, I must say. and it was It was a great feeling because we had a great time over there and it's always nice when people come together and buy
00:08:27
Speaker
Not so cheap beer, guys. Not so cheap beer. And people just partying. People just have a good time. And they're just ah there's no animosity. People just getting along and everybody was looking forward to the match. Well, it was the afternoon with thunderstorms. What can I say? So 15 minutes prior to kickoff, we were told we had to vacate the place because heavy thunder was coming up. And there was a big thunderstorm following that. So it was good to get inside a building. But that fan zone never reopened, so there was no public viewing. And I felt so sorry for those people who didn't go to the stadium, who wanted to watch there the the match on those ah big screens. Where the heck should they go? Back to the hotel. And what I did notice after the ah thunderstorm has passed, because we went to a rooftop bar close by, you could actually see about 30 to 40 people gathering around to big windows um at a hotel. It was the Radisson Blue.
00:09:27
Speaker
And they all stood outside watching inside because inside there was a big screen just showing the match. Quite funny. So I guess they found a nice place, but lots of bars, lots of pubs, lots of places actually showed the match. Some people went there. So that was my first encounter and first feeling, first impressions I got about the Euros. so It was a good start, more to follow, but what was your impression when you actually went to our little stadium?
00:09:59
Speaker
um Well, I would like to start a little bit earlier, how I spent there, because um ah my brother-in-law spent the day with me, and we head into the city like and know around ah around them at noon. And we took a but took a look at the weather forecast, and it was like, oh, there's a thunderstorm in the new forecast just around that time when the game should start. And so our plan was to purchase some rain caves so that we ah just had something just in case. And finally, we found some at the Muhle-Trugherie, unpaid advertisement, for €1.29. And it was totally fine. That was just for one evening. No. 1.29. Couldn't have lasted longer than one evening.
00:10:44
Speaker
Well, I still got it. And um so we headed and into the city and just ah wanted to um to get in touch with the mood a little and and spend the and in the different bars. And finally headed into the Enchilada right next to the Rijevachnerplatz where the Czech fans gathered. And also were about to start their fan march into the stadium. but and So I'm now at the Richard Wagnerplatz in the heart of the city of Leipzig surrounded by a lot of Czech fans. It's about 30 minutes that the fan march towards the stadium is going to start. it um Yeah, the square is still still gathering people coming together here waiting for the fan march to start and I'm really looking forward to it. Let's see what's gonna happen.
00:11:41
Speaker
And our original plan was just to get in touch with those fans and just ah do the same march as they did. But, you know, there were two thunderstorms that that afternoon in the evening and that was the first one. And we was like, okay, maybe it's better we head into the direction of the stadium and don't wait here until the march starts. And that was the right decision because we walked the Yan Ali down to the stadium. And we made it, not even to the console, we made it just barely but barely beyond the livelihoods to us. Where there is, and I think it's Mr. Walk in Asian, um
00:12:17
Speaker
and asian how how do you say, and ius in English? and I don't know. um ius like Snack Bar. Yeah, in Asian Snack Bar, thank you. So we just barely made it inside, and then the heavy rain started, and so we couldn't be there. Fortunately, they got a refrigerator. So we headed into the stadium, and it was quite nice. Of course, we we took the main entrance at the Glockentorn and headed into the B sector, and it was just great. You know, heading into your homestand, which you did so often, but this time it's
00:12:51
Speaker
something a little bit different. You know, this big screen, this this wall, when you're entering the stadium, there was not the usual RB Leipzig screen. Instead, it was, of course, so welcome to the Euro 2024. And there was see the Portuguese supporters, people from Portugal was were all over the place because they headed to the the stadium early. I think the Czech started their fan launch a little later. And besides of that, they seem to be a little more you know interested in the bars around the stadium for a little longer. um So it was like until 30 minutes before a kickoff, it was like, OK, are there any Czech fans in the stands? you know The B sector was literally full at that time. And you could, on the other hand side, in the D sector, the RBL letters was still usable. As usual, eh? As usual. I was stuck up.
00:13:50
Speaker
But as the more we approach the kick-off, the Czech fans gather into the D sector. Excuse me, Richard. Before you make us jealous by telling us all about these great seats you had, let's listen to a little clip that you brought along.
00:14:12
Speaker
Do you hear that? This is the sound of the Euros just inside Leipzig Stadium. So we are like in the upper tier of Sector C. I see a lot of Ronaldo's and lots of Ronaldo's literally. Some Aiders
Leipzig Stadium Atmosphere and Ronaldo's Performance
00:14:31
Speaker
and nearly no Czech Republic supporters at all. But trust me they are here in quite good numbers but You know, those guys from Czechia just chilling around outside the stadium, enjoying some beers. The Portuguese supporters are much more focused on what's coming up in the next 90 minutes. So, ah yeah. I hope you enjoyed it this game on television and have fun. Thank you, Richard. Now, do tell us all about those wonderful seats.
00:15:11
Speaker
And we had um our seats were in the usual away section. So we had places in the fourth row. So just behind the camera and that was headed into the penalty box right before the D sector. And so we had nice seats. And then as soon as the game started, the sky opened and the heavy rain started again. And there was that time where we were so lucky that we spent the one Euro 29 earlier that day. as So we could just throw those capes over us and it was though so damn necessary. Otherwise we would have been drenched. Drenched bits of technology.
00:15:55
Speaker
oh so Yeah. And finally, you do the game, I think it was and an okay-ish game. Of course, the heavy advantages for the Buddhagesians, of course, they are technically way better, ah individually better, but the Czech made a great fight. and They threw everything they got. It was called a nice goal, and it was just right in front of my eyes. um They won the... year Priceless. Priceless, of course. Priceless.
00:16:38
Speaker
from the 1890 meters away and just into the upper left corner of the goal, no chance for the Polygnesian keeper. And, you know, you know how hard it is to be that close to the to to the pitch. And, you know, you can do something what you cannot do when you're at home and watching this on tele, because um you have to always, you know, when you're at home and watching games on the television, ah almost always the the ball is in the center of the ah the camera. And when you're in the game, you can can throw your attention on different spots of the pitch. And and then I took my time and watching Ronaldo, of course, a little. And, you know, to me, it was like, okay, he's he's physically on the same level that we all knew from him. on
00:17:27
Speaker
But obviously um the the competition he's used to play in the last season in Saudi Arabia, there's of course not even close to top level football um made him a little uncomfortable with this ah yeah level of playing style that was on that pitch during this match. So a lot of actions was where he simply wasn't involved. And and it seems like, okay, he's always capable of doing something special. But he couldn't manage to put himself into those situation that often. So maybe um he's he's missing a bit of alertness. Well, he's not used to this kind of pace anymore. This way of playing.
00:18:15
Speaker
Maybe, and maybe so big yeah, As I said, I think physically he he has nothing. um He is no worse than he was like three, four years ago. um But it's like you know the cohesion with the other parts of it. You're going to pay for this next season, yeah every time you mention that word. one euro for something. cutting So yeah, at the end of the day, it was it was nice, you know, being being at being at the at the home stadium watching a game where the whole world is watching, or at least half of Europe is watching. And yeah and Tim Turke was the the announcer as well. And he did it. It's weird, isn't it? yeah And he did it quite professional. I would like to ask him one day how how much
00:19:07
Speaker
um yeah how free, how much freedom he is given in those situations. is He sounds like he's toned down a bit, isn't he? He's not. Yeah. go for what you go you can You don't hear that. and and And it seemed that every word was what was first scripted earlier. Okay. So I would like to ask him how much, how how high was the level of of improvisation of freedom or, i picked it up in um I kind of picked it up, sorry for interrupting, when Croatia was playing Italy and Luca Motry scored. And obviously I could hear him in the background and he didn't sound as
00:19:52
Speaker
crazy enthusiastic as with R.B. Leipzig, so he sounded a little bit toned up, but still it'd gotten away with him a little bit, so it was a bit probably more enthusiastic than he should have been. But just to imagine that Tim Turke, who was there from the start pretty much, wasn't he, announced a goalscore like Luka Motrich, as if he was playing for R.B. Leipzig, It was crazy. That was just a crazy thought. And to hear his voice in the background, but not as enthusiastic and crazy as he usually is, because he can't be, he has to behave, is is interesting, but also kind of sad, because I just love it the way he um announces the is starting 11. And he also celebrates Arby like to gold. Sorry, back to you. and well Thank you. And I'm pretty sure the creations like the way too.
00:20:42
Speaker
ah Now, this was a heartbreaking end for Czechia. They lost in the sort of last very, very last minute. And in social media, I did say that Ronaldo actually, you know, made his gesture to the opposing goalkeeper, as that which shows his character a little bit. If you want to put it in diplomatic ways, he's he's very competitive. But what was the mood like when you left the stadium and were there any logistical problems? Um, you know, not really, and it was, it was, so I, um, as I said, I was in the away section, so headed upstairs and then didn't make the way back to sector B. Instead, I took my path around sector D. So to leave, uh, at the exit rows and garden, well, what we usually does. So, um,
00:21:31
Speaker
It was for all of our listeners who this means that is the way that I took was not the the main path out of the stadium. So it was not that crowded and it was interesting that so in the political games you can get out out of the stadium and literally every way is open to you can walk wherever you want to. um This time there was a fence, ah so you were not able to head right ah to north. So there was a fence, so you just couldn't make your way to the Guglielstrasse. So you had to enter the Wahlstrasse Fertil, mvi class fiddle the yeah know the um area where the yeah
00:22:12
Speaker
Sort of across from the main entrance or one of the main entrances yeah when you get to the ah ah waste small to the sector D section or onto the ah main main area as well. So I had to take a detour. A little bit and then I had it just straight to the Wahlstrasse and literally the very first tram that came across we entered and we even could gather some seats. Yeah, so what's narrative it's impossible to get some seats after building a game, but this time it was no problem at all. Maybe because it is because I think, you know, like 60, 70% of all spectators, I'm sure, headed back to the city center in yeah in some way.
00:22:58
Speaker
So maybe, let's see what Tuesday will bring up. Maybe I will take a look into the fast visa and the streets that leads to the city center just to take a look how traffic is there or if there are any problems. But in this case Leipzig has a big advantage. I mean the baby stadium is not too big, in this case capacity of 42,000. And it's so close to the city center, um I would say about two kilometers. If you walk, you can walk it in 30-35 minutes. um you can You can walk there very easily and very quickly and at a leisurely place as well.
00:23:40
Speaker
And that's the that's a big advantage to maybe other stadiums and in Germany who had trouble, were bigger stadiums, of course, but they had trouble with infrastructure and then local transportation. But Leipzig is a different setup and so far it has worked very well, I think. I think, yeah, you're absolutely right. It's just perfect for tournaments like that. Okay. So that was a pretty exciting match, I think, to be there. You said it was sort of mediocre, but I think just the experience, and if we're being different from our Realized League, not Champions League, but on the European stage with a global interest as well, is a a great experience in itself, in our own.
00:24:20
Speaker
the little stadium.
Vibrant Dutch Fan Atmosphere
00:24:21
Speaker
So that's great. Now, of course, a couple of days later, we had the Oranje invasion, and they did a lot of stuff on social media. There is ah this site called Oranje Busse, and there's the Oranje Fusball, and they announced, ah well, a couple of days well ahead of their arrival that they actually would be in Leipzig. You could know if you follow them that they would arrive with a large number of supporters in Oranje, but also with two buses, one being ah quite an open-top, older bus, all of course in Oranje colors and that kind of
00:24:58
Speaker
took the shine or took the focus away from the French supporters. But what I noticed in our little goalless area, if I may say that Richard, I noticed ah when Holland was playing that we had quite a few Dutch cars and a few French cars. And on the day of the match in the in the morning, I had to go to the city center And on that tram line, flipping heck, there were a whole gang of Dutch supporters entering, no all being in a very good mood, but it was like 11 o'clock. And that reminded me of our little trip to the Czech Republic, Czechia. They didn't have any beer, but I'm sure they were talking about beer because beer just did come up quite a couple of times. And that was just a nice feeling, nice atmosphere. You know, you could see some different faces from the usual ones.
00:25:47
Speaker
some of the grumpy faces. there were People were just, you know, being themselves, looking forward to to a nice event. So in the afternoon, when I then actually went into the city center because I wanted to join the fanwalk, there were actually two sections on the tram, Dutch supporters of course, but also French supporters as well. And I don't know why, but they did buy their Stemburg beer, and I'm not so sure if they survived, but not the high quality, not the sponsored beer. But everybody was in a good mood, but of course there were chants by the Dutch fans.
00:26:31
Speaker
there was no aggressive There was no aggressiveness in the air. It was all very nice banter. I suspect if we had Serbians over here, it would be a little bit different, but also you know being the English. The English can be um very powerful people, but they're reference to World War II. It gets a bit boring, you know, and then then that. But in the city, I must say, it was Orane Galore, Dutch supporters everywhere, party, carnival. That's what I felt when when we were there, when I was there. And my first route was going to the Leuszneplatz, which was the fan area for the yeah ah Dutch supporters. And of course, they came in different costumes. One looked like an
00:27:18
Speaker
Oranje Gandalf, I don't know why, but it looked funny. and And of course you had your guys in orange suits and orange ties. And I actually did a little interview with them and ah Marco from Amsterdam, I do apologize that I called you Mark, but I'm terrible with names. Okay guys, I'm surrounded by orange. Oranje is all over in Leipzig. What else would you expect? But I have really fine looking gentleman here in orange suits and they're wearing an orange tie. So guys!
00:27:48
Speaker
hi Who are you? I'm Marco. oh and well Welcome Marco. My name is Mario, by the way. Hi. Is this your first day in Leipzig or have you arrived yesterday? ah No, today. I went to train, yes. By train? Yes. And come on. All of us Germans are dying to know, did you arrive on time? Yes, thank you. Yes, we did. You did, you're one of the few. Because Deutsche Bahn is not on time. No, so also no. Not on time. Not on time. One hour too late. but and Too late, there you go. One hour, it's okay. Is this your first time in Leipzig? Leipzig, yes, first time. How do you like Leipzig so far? So far, so good. We're a small city compared to, I think, Amsterdam. It's kind of Berlin, but with less tourism, I think. Sure, sure.
00:28:36
Speaker
Good city. I will come back without the football. Without the football, that's good to hear because all the Leipzig's really looking forward to it because in 2006 there was a Dutch invasion already okay and people loved it. So everybody's just coming out today to watch you guys. Yes, we know it's a few frames of waters, but you are so welcome over here because we know you do a great party. yeah We do. I miss your tune, you know, from left to right. Have you done that yet? Yeah, down on the field. And in a couple of minutes we are going to do the fanwalk. Oh yeah, that's right. We're at the Leuchnerpuss, people. So it's right where they gather. What's your feeling about the tournament so far? how come How satisfied are you with your first match, if you ask?
00:29:18
Speaker
Our first match, it was good. We won, so that's a good start. Tonight we win again. so Are you sure you're going to beat France? Yes. They weren't that good. Amber Pei broke his nose. so He's out. Why is he playing? I don't know. I don't know. I don't care. and I think you're going to be the louder crowd. And you are now home in our stadium. We're not so big, but 42,000 can still make a lot of noise. I think you're going to be superior. I think we're gonna beat the prams with the sounds, yeah. For sure. There's one more question. We gotta to ask you from a Leipzig side, you know we have this Dutch player, where we had him last season, Shavi Simmons. Yes. From your experience, what are the odds that he's gonna stay another year at Leipzig?
00:30:04
Speaker
They are actually gonna stay in life. If he's smart, he does. Okay, but why why does buddy say that you think that if he's smart, he would stay in life? Because the Bundesliga is a serious competition. Okay. It's one of the biggest competition in Europe and it fits him very good. But he could move to a different club like Bayern Munich. No. ah That's what we say. No. Anyways, it's really a pleasure talking to you and you guys have the best outfit I've seen so far. Okay, there's a Gandalf looking guy down there somewhere But it was lovely to meet you. Enjoy your match. Have a great walk to the stadium. Of course and
00:30:44
Speaker
He needs a chance from you, so what do you usually yell? Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp Holland, Herp So, Marco referred to a piece of history. Semifinals 1988.
00:31:16
Speaker
Holland beating Germany in the Hamburger-Folksbach Stadium. And then, of course, moving on to win that tournament with that wonderful strike of Van Basten and Holland winning their only European championship. By the way, they never won the World Cup. Just kind of thrown that in there. But very delightful people. um At that time, I got a message from you as well, Richard, pis because I think you actually took the whole family out too to go to Leipzig. um Almost, yeah. my My oldest son didn't want to join us. I don't know why. So it was only me, my wife and my my daughter. And yeah, we, yeah we headed to the Leuchner parts as well, because we had to buy some, some summer shoes. And then of course we, we, we, we took a look. Oh, this is one nil.
00:32:07
Speaker
uh so as we are recording uh it's trying to set up my phone and it's one the georgia my gosh 100 seconds into the game and it's one the georgia so um i i talked to talk to my brother-in-law just yesterday uh as as it was clear that austere will come to town next tuesday And he was like, oh, it's very likely Turkey. He said, and I was like, I don't know anything now. I didn't see Austria coming and I don't want to talk about anything here. Maybe in the end it will be Georgia as it stands now. Okay. Like 88 minutes more to come. Um, yeah, we will see heading to light.
00:32:47
Speaker
So yeah, back to the Netherlands game. um And yeah, I took a shot on the Leuschner Platz as well. And I think I was there just like 10-15 minutes before the fan walk started. And it was so crowded. And I was remembered as well to have 2006 swipes. But this time I was prepared. You know, back in those days, 2006, I wasn't prepared. You know, it was it was the the very first of of any of this... of sort of event. Did you wear a wig and you looked like Rudkulit? No. Was that you? now No, it wasn't. i was I had my F Sporty Boris jersey on. I don't know why it was. It was just like in the top of the of a form of my cupboard. So, yeah, I had some some ah so um strange, yeah, views, had some some some strange glimpses from um
00:33:43
Speaker
people walking by them was ever faster. Yeah, of course. um I understand. And it was, um yeah, back in those days, 2006, I wasn't prepared for what what to come. And it was I was amazing. It was like, this is not real. um How, how, how good people how good in the mood could be? And I was like, back in those days, Maine, They cannot have tickets for the game at all because it was, yeah, 20,000, 30,000, 2006. And I think this time it was 20,000, maybe 25,000 Dutch people in this city as well. And um yeah, as the ssd game started, I think the public viewing area in the Auguste starts was crowded with people from the Netherlands.
00:34:29
Speaker
And it was just amazing. I love it. And I would i would like to welcome the Dutch once more on July 2nd. Unfortunately, they didn't make it yesterday. That's true. They're going down a different route. Maybe they're facing England. We don't know yet. But i and for me, it was the first time that we did Dutch in Leipzig like this, but I thought I was equally impressed. And I did notice there were quite a few people standing alongside the fanwalk, like locals who were just watching them. And I think a lot of them did remember the time. So they started their fanwalk off the Leuszneplatz, then took the route around the Ring, so to speak, also past the Neue Radhaus, the new town hall, so to speak.
00:35:16
Speaker
And I just joined them. I just walked along and just took in the atmosphere. And of course, what we were all waiting for was that that melody, that von Lynx, that we can't get off our head anymore. And to any German um TV station, please do not replicate that. You know, this song is not made for us Germans. Anyway, so here's a little clip because I all i caught the end of it.
00:35:50
Speaker
Yes, yes, yes, yes!
00:36:05
Speaker
And of course, on social media later on, you could see videos where you can see tens of thousands of people, people moving from the left to the right. So I was kind of walking amongst all the ah Dutch supporters, and there were quite a few Germans in there because quite a few spoke German, just wearing orange shirt. And one guy was wearing a shirt that Arby Leipzig sold. It's an orange shirt with the player Xavi Simmons showing and doing his, ah you know, signature move when he has scored a goal called in, so to speak. And he told me, because I said, hey, I like your shirt. And he told me in German, yeah is aber le I said, I know. Anyway, so I really enjoyed the whole atmosphere with Carnival. A lot of the songs are pretty much the same as as we have, to be honest, you know, Miever Hollandia sounds like Mieva Colonia. ah So I kind of knew the lyrics just in German, but instead of Cologne, you're actually chanting Hollandia.
00:37:02
Speaker
i a um And the whole atmosphere was really relaxed and you wouldn't have known that you go into a football game. It could have been anything else. And I think we all really enjoyed it. There was quite a bit of interaction of with ah local people in balconies doing the wave. Some people actually handed down beers, beer cheers for those Holland supporters. So everything was great. A couple of flares with smoke went up as well. And what I did notice from the ah behind the first boss
00:37:37
Speaker
There were actually um little statues that they were carrying of ah past great players like Ruth Gullit, for example, and that looked... I thought that was just a wonderful idea. People not taking themselves too seriously, so we all were singing and chanting on our way towards the stadium. and
00:38:20
Speaker
Then I was in front of our stadium with the whole sea of Iranian supporters. So the Festweiser, the Leipzigen, the Sector D was in the hands of Holland. And it was a beautiful sight, of course, but I felt really down as I stood in front of that stadium. And it's my stadium because I'm there quite often during the season, but I'm not allowed to get in because I haven't got to any tickets. So that is really not a great feeling. But as I was walking ah away from the year of Fest Visa, I actually bumped into two French supporters and then one of them caught my because he was wearing a mask.
00:39:00
Speaker
with looking like MPP and MPP had recently broken his nose, as you all know. And on this mask, there was another mask across his face, his nose, covering his nose in the French colors, something he was not allowed to wear in these games. It would have to be black when we saw it yesterday, but I liked it so much that I had to talk to these people and it turned out to be that these two were Sebastian and Lionel from Strasbourg. And we had a very nice conversation. Guys, I'm in front of the stadium of Arby Leipzig and I can't get in, and this really hurts, but I found two people who got tickets, they can't get in, and they're not orange, they are blue, they are French, so... Merz, what your name is? Sebastian. Ah, and I heard you from Strasbourg, you as well? Yeah, yeah my name is Lionel and we are coming from Strasbourg, so being here, knowing my mates in my car, being our guy, playing it to stay home, you know, this is strange too from us. We are glad to be here, but you are glad to be here because you're supporting in the French people and I think we just missed the wrong entry because now we are the only blue in front of ah thousands of orange guys. I know. This is weird.
00:40:04
Speaker
Well, you came in the Fest visa and that seems to be the end of the Orange guys, but I'll walk with you to the other side to where I usually am and this seems to be your end. We take care of your seats and all you have to say is... Take care of my seat! I know you're going to behave. I'm also surprised that such a top game is actually hosted in Leipzig. It's the smallest stadium. It's the smallest stadium. That's what we figured out today. So the smallest one is everything we said today. Of the Euro, yes, it's the smallest one. But we also said, you know, what was strange to us, we saw a lot of stadiums for sides which are in second divisions. This is not something usual in France. We would build a big stadium for the sides which are in the first league. This is something which is really remarkable.
00:40:48
Speaker
but teams in the second league Exactly, but they used to be in the first league. yes So when they yeah i guess shaike or du soo have you know tried to get up and they couldn't. We would have the Saint-Etienne in France, the Bordeaux big sides also in the second league. But yeah, I was surprised to see so many stadiums in the second league.
French Fan Perspectives and Host Reflections
00:41:05
Speaker
Interesting observation. I never realized that, but you're right. you know Usually we have the capacity of 47,000, but because we took the seats out. oh yes um So it's 42,000, but in 47,000, that's the biggest seat. I hope with that we will we will not need the seats tonight, because we're going to be standing out. What makes you confident? Let me explain. i'm Sorry, I forgot your name. sebastia me a bustia He's wearing a mask and it's covered by the supposedly mask that M.A.P. is going to wear tonight. He's not because of French colors, but what makes you so confident?
00:41:36
Speaker
You were confident. No, I'm not confident. No, no, no, because big good crowd you know we no, no, no, no, no,
00:41:51
Speaker
ah you yeah this is unique you know this is ah something i mean we looked at which game would we like to do Netherlands, again, France was on the list, you know, and we are so happy to be here in the city. When the Simachon is playing, you know, for us it's a special touch. Now it's brilliant, thank you. And we discovered our city. And the city is nice, yeah. It's a what what you've seen so far. Well, it is. it um We take it as a compliment, it is a nice city. We're in Aria, this big river, I mean,
00:42:23
Speaker
It's also a primary forest, us which is something really strange, being just close to the big stadium. This forest is just here. that's So far, we like it, I think. We like the atmosphere. Let's see what's happening in a couple of minutes. But thanks very much, because Strasbourg is a beautiful city. We really, really really really enjoy travelling to France, and Strasbourg, of course, is close to our hearts as well. So I'm really pleased to hear that. It's really nice to meet you! So guys, as you're going to be sitting in my end, where I usually am, take care of my seats, like I said. Yes, we do. But do you think MPAP is going to feature tonight in the starting 11? Not in the starting 11. I think if we can manage to beat the Netherlands without him, he will stay on the bench. Okay, I spoke. But it will be hard.
00:43:15
Speaker
I spoke to somebody else, ah another French supporter before that, and he said um it's not necessary to bring him on from the start, bring him on the second half. Do you agree? Yes, yes we have other weapons to beat the Netherlands. Strong talk, I love it!
00:43:32
Speaker
So, do you think you're going to go all the way? and To be honest with you, I don't know. Because we have very we have a strong side, but I think now we also expect it, you know? And people know how we are playing. We know also that ah we are relying a lot on MBAP, on MBAP's performance. but But you shouldn't. You have so much other talent. That's that's the point. That's the point. But, you know, is it's a magnet to a lot of situations. situations But we I think we are stronger when we are not only relying on him, and we think also that yes, as they said, we have a few weapons, but and if I remember also said, your championship is probably one of the toughest championships in the world. so yeah True, true. So last question, what do you think about the performance of the German team so far?
00:44:25
Speaker
Look, you started very well the championship, you know, and if you are totally honest, no one was expecting you at this level a year ago. Neither did we, yeah not alone. We're still one line. You know, it's always something unique when you're in a and championship that the country is hosting, having the surprise coming from the home country. That would be a very nice story, you know. And you have more power when you're in your country. yes when when you you the strengthts you have the no I think that could be and a very nice story, you know? And we are, of course, French supporters, but we are, at the end, the supporters for the big party, which is the Eurochampionship.
00:45:05
Speaker
me again you I think and this tournament has a really good vibe to it, a really good feel to it. There's not many many violence. ah There are a lot of fan groups who just party, like you guys, the Dutch, the Scots. The English are their usual selves, okay, but they can party as well. um but But so far, it's been it's been amazing and we are surprised as well and we're really happy to have you here, guys. Hope you enjoy the game, all the best, bonne chance. And who knows, we might meet again in this tournament. I don't know! me again yeah ah Thank you very much. So, one of the linking parts is Mosey Marcon, who they really still kind of follow. They can't understand that he's not playing in the national team. And the other part we talked about after I talked to them online is the fact that their club, Grazingstad's, Grazburg, was actually ah bought by a BlueCo, or had an investor BlueCo,
00:46:03
Speaker
And to they kind of think, well, they kind of fear, well, it's okay, as long as Blueco like to support Raisingstrasseburg, but they do worry what happens if the funds are not there anymore because the investor drops them. And they are aware of the fact that R.B. Leipzig is a different klepony in Leipzig and leiptigen in Germany as well. And they did pick up that a lot of people dislike, i.e. hate them um as well. So it was an interesting conversation around that afterwards. But we took a leisurely walk to the French end, which is the sector D, and what you just referred to, where you can see the RBL, where nobody's sitting there.
00:46:39
Speaker
And it was a very pleasant conversation. The whole atmosphere was so relaxed between Dutch and French supporters. Yes, the Dutch mocked the French and vice versa, but it was never aggressive. There was always a big laugh. And I think this is what football should be. Big party, different nations meeting up, competing, but hey, it's football. It's nothing like anything else, not a war. It's just people getting together and If you're lucky, you can do this in a beautiful town like Leipzig with the local people who really enjoy that as well and all the other local grumpy people. In those days, we don't see them. I really like that. So I must say this was the match, although it wasn't there and the surroundings I enjoyed the most so far over here. But there's one more thought about this one because going back to the feeling that I had when I was in front of a stadium, I couldn't get in.
Exclusivity and Fan Dynamics at Matches
00:47:32
Speaker
I mentioned that to Sebastian.
00:47:34
Speaker
And he actually said, well, it's like, you know, somebody else is sleeping with your wife. And I thought, yeah, that hurts. ah And you can watch it. But he, but he promised us to, to treat our wife really well.
00:47:48
Speaker
So that's, that's nice. Thank you. ziva so thank you but stick with fearen and my god
00:47:57
Speaker
Well, moving on, there the ah third match we had here in Leipzig was just yesterday or two days ago? It was one day, two days ago. Croatia playing Italy and on paper, this is really interesting encounter, isn't it? and um I went to the city just to see ah what is happening and I immediately saw that there are a lot of creations. I mean, the creations took over Leipzig as well, but not in a way as as the Dutch people, because the Dutch were more organized and came with two buses and it's like a whole party community arrived at Leipzig with the Dutch and then they moved on to Berlin.
00:48:35
Speaker
Over here it was just a lot of creation supporters and it was really funny because a lot of them were wearing the ah number four shirt gradual, which of course is somebody who's still close to our heart as well. The atmosphere is really ah pleasant and and peaceful as well. A lot of but ah parents with their kids as well, so I thought this was really great. Off and on. you would notice that Croatian supporters actually speak German. There are a lot of people of Croatian descent or even Croatian citizens ah working and living living in Germany, so you wouldn't be surprised about that. But often on, you would actually see Italians as well. and Two Italians actually had a very important message on their banner and said, Capucino is only for breakfast. so this is really inch This is because by law it's forbidden in Italy to have cappuccino after 12 o'clock, I was told.
00:49:25
Speaker
And I had to laugh, so this was good as well. And we also took some pictures with some Italian supporters, but they were definitely German. I mean, I think they were from NIV, the west of Germany. Still very good at atmosphere as well, but it didn't reach this type of level of of of Entertainment for us, so like with the Dutch, but I did join the creation supporters from the center place, the Market Square, down on a little fanwalk, but they had a big fanwalk as well, to the stadium.
00:49:59
Speaker
And the chants were probably a little bit different. They were a common formation, which is very proud of themselves with a rich his history as well. And they're really serious about supporting them in that sport, in that football contest. So it was not like a party um atmosphere, like with the ah Dutch, but it was more serious business, but it was still good.
00:50:33
Speaker
you remember
00:50:45
Speaker
And um as we would walk into the stadium, I could barely, I'll literally only see creations. Often on there were some Italians as well, but they were clearly, clearly, clearly in the minority. More police this time. There was a lot more police police directing traffic as well. And as we heard after the match, there were more incidents than in the year two other games. And of course, Croatia is also known that they have a very violent ultra scene. So some of them may actually think make it too live. But all in all, it was very peaceful. And I went did walk to the stadium again, got that feeling that I can't get in. Not very nice. This time, the Festuis was covered with Croatian fans.
00:51:23
Speaker
And as I was walking to the other side, and to our side, Sector D, I was expecting more french Italian people. And there were actually Italian supporters also starting to chant Italia, but immediately covered by Croatian chants and outnumbered again. So in the stadium, I think you could see it as well. The vast majority of supporters were for Croatia. In the end, they weren't the loudest. I know the the match was heartbreaking for Croatia as well. But um it was good to see both. It was good to see that it was peaceful. It was a summer afternoon.
00:52:00
Speaker
And very enjoyable, very enjoyable as well. And you could get used to it. i It's really a shame that this is not going to happen after Tuesday next week. This is not going to happen again because it's so good for life's sake. So I'm not sure how you followed that match on ah Monday, you said Croatia versus Italy. Yeah, not much, unfortunately. So I spent the day in the office and then I headed home. Wow, that's nice. I headed home when it was like, I don't know, three o'clock or something. And when I'm on my way from an office to our apartment, I have to cross the city center from south to north with my bike. And so yeah I, yeah, I catch the mood a little bit and
00:52:44
Speaker
I can agree with what you said. So there was the creation supporters singing and and chanting really loud, but it was, yeah, it was like more a little bit Balkan style. You know, people was taller and wider than the Dutch people and their voices were. ah Yeah. ah little bit more aggressive not not that it have been aggressive you know I agree with that not at all but it's if you have the ah the so what do you have experienced just a few days earlier when the Dutch people wasn't was in muslim town it was just different um so yeah and now and then I had to I had to pick up my my my daughter from my sister she spent a night there and so I had to ah
00:53:29
Speaker
ah took a ride through this through the city and it was like creation supporters anywhere. and It was like an outnumbered Italians 5 to 1 or something like that. And literally, so my my sister is living in the city, and in in the western part of our beautiful city, ah where the yeah well bit of tramway comes to an end. So with there's a park and rides spots where you can just park your car and then switch to the tram and head to the stadium. And even there, even there, there was supporters from creation. You know, those those parking spaces are usually not that much used in Bulljigger games. And i I did not expect that to be used at all during the Euros. But there yeah, even there, there was creation supporters and it was quite amazing.
00:54:17
Speaker
That was cool. But i didn't I didn't make it to the to the city center again. I didn't make it to the stadium again. I just watched this game at home and in yeah enjoyed that such an important match with such hoor great teams. you know the a The reigning European champion and the runner up from the 2018 World Cup and the third place from the 2022 World Cup is playing in your home stadium. ah Exactly. that that I agree. And what I noticed during the ah Holland, France match, do you know when we step out of our terrace, I could actually hear the spectators? And this time, um I thought I could hear something from the creation new challenge game. I couldn't hear anything. So the wind was blowing the other direction.
00:55:05
Speaker
But if now that you mentioned it, we had two top-quality ah matches over here in Leipzig, which is really maybe a compliment for Leipzig as well, and also the capability of organizing and holding those those matches and in tournaments like that. So Richard, just like to ask you as we come towards maybe the end of our little session, what is your general impression about the tournament? Do you think it it is something positive for the city of Leipzig and maybe even something positive for for Germany as ah as a country, especially bearing in mind we are living in o not so easy ah times at the moment when it comes to people
00:55:50
Speaker
and expressing their opinion and political views. Yeah, I have a little bit, it's it's I have mixed feelings about that. on On the one hand side, I think it's it's it's a great tournament. um the The mood in the cities, in the host cities are generally very good. People are gathering together and just partying together, ss as you said, it and we experience by ourselves. And then the tournament started with the Big Bang with the 5-1 win. ah So that thing helped a lot and great games followed in the first to two match days of the a group stage. ah Most recently, I think it was a little bit decreasing. Maybe it was because there was more on the line ah for the the teams to qualify to the knockout stage. So we yeah we saw.
00:56:38
Speaker
to nil all draws yesterday and it was awful, awful to watch the England squad, of course. may painful ye it well and um So French wasn't as good either versus Poland. They already eliminated from the tournament prior to this game. And, you know, when it comes to ah so with the part, how is is this good for Germany? You know, um to me it seems like, okay, is this is our last party before some tough times. um ah You could be right.
00:57:15
Speaker
yeah And that makes me a little bit sad. I hope I'm wrong. But referring to the latest polls and and for the upcoming elections in September for the States, Saxony Theoringer and Brandenburg, and you know, these, you know, this, this party called AFD, which is like yeah Germans first and nothing, nothing else. um is most likely to be the most powerful party out of those elections. That makes me a little bit scared. And so I think I hope but that this won't be the outcome. But yeah, with that view into the future, I think it feels like hey so maybe we have to enjoy this even more.
00:58:03
Speaker
e So because yeah, tough times to come. And on the other hand side, now things we were able to hide from the, from the world, uh, some like, <unk> especially both like an infrastructure, excuse me. Like cash-only bars. Yeah, cash-only bars. you know You have to pay cash-only and not under 10 euros. And your lack of infrastructure you know now it comes comes to to comes to light. And I think this is very embarrassing. And I hope but and that the political um administration so ah took learnings from that and focusing more on developing public infrastructure in the upcoming years.
00:58:50
Speaker
But maybe that makes us a bit more human because when I lived in the UK, you know, Germany was renowned for a top organization. I thought I could believe that as well. Great infrastructure and also you know trains the UK diabolical at times as well. But maybe as the ah English, the especially when the English travel to Geysenkirchen and find out it looks like, you know, a place like Bracknell, for example, in the UK. Not that wonderful. And they get stuck on trains. They realize Germany is not that much up to scratch either. And, you know, maybe it makes us a bit more human. We're humans after all. But it is, I i find it, it is ah embarrassing that, especially in cities like Gesenkirchen Düsseldorf, they had so many problems. I couldn't believe it.
00:59:35
Speaker
So i'm I'm glad organization was great in Leipzig, but also you know the pitch in Frankfurt. Why is the pitch in Frankfurt in such a bad condition? Why do people keep sliding there all the way in that beautiful stadium? This is crazy. On the other hand, I still believe we've been great hosts. Germany has been a great host. The Scottish really enjoyed their time. There has been little violence, but I'm sorry, those groups from Serbia, you know, tend to be a little bit more aggressive, also racist as well in parts. That is not very nice. as We had some incidents with Croatia, but mostly they've been peaceful as well. And of course, the ah English are themselves. Most of the times they party, they know the party, but there's always this band against other, you know, punching down instead of punching up. So I need to to say right here.
01:00:25
Speaker
But we've seen beautiful matches and you're right, we should just enjoy it as long as we can. I take a lot of confidence out of the organization in Leipzig and also the fact that we had some really top-notch matches here. And Leipzig speaks volumes, a lot of confidence in in the city and the infrastructure as well. And I don't think it would really be possible with all these years of RB Leipzig hosting international matches as well. So I think there's a lot of routine and experience here in Leipzig, which they draw on. So that is something we can be proud of. But similarly, like you, I do fear that in September, we're in for a shock. But that's not only Germany in the couple of weeks time. It might be France um as well. But we'll get on. Football will always be there. We will still follow it. ah But all in all, I'm i'm just ah happy with the whole tournament so far. And even if Germany drops out, preferably not versus England,
01:01:21
Speaker
and And even if Germany drops out, it's still going to be a cracking tournament. Never wins it. Has actually earned the right to win it, even if it is Tokyo. Then we have a pitch invasion. Maybe I would like to add some some words to Leipzig as a host city in our stadium. and I think um yeah we had to the city did it quite well. and And I think the organization in the city, how this fan zone is is made and the public transportation should work. um And I'm really proud of that. And I think the UEFA is... Yeah, now sure that they make the right decision to, to award the UEFA Conference League final, 2026 into Leipzig. Yeah, so ah now we have proved we can begin to handle those kinds of big, big games. And there's one big game to come in two years time. And I'm looking forward. to that it was going to be a great ah match either. And I don't care if it is a Shadow of Tears board versus Olympia, Yurbiliana, or, you know, West Ham versus. doesn't matter or my It doesn't matter. um It matter. I'm definitely trying to ah get for some tickets there. Yeah. This time I'd be alert as well. So.
01:02:40
Speaker
Thank you very much so far, Richard. Just one more thing. Let's look ahead to next Tuesday, knockout stages, the final match that we're going to host here in Leipzig. And it turns out to be that Maestro Ralf Rangnik is coming back to Leipzig after winning the Group of Death. I can't believe it finishing in first place and coming here on Tuesday and you actually have tickets. How the hell do you feel? I can see you, Grinn. Okay. Yeah. Stop it. You know, it was um it was and was strange because as as soon as as I got those tickets and then there was the um to draw for the groups and I looked at what games are going to be in Leipzig and I was like, okay, and we're going to see either France or Netherlands. And now it's Austria. And I was like, okay, it's Austria. And I was like, that was not what I expected, but it's cool anyway. And yes, it's going to be like an
01:03:36
Speaker
You know, how how do you say class in English? It's a it's a Reunion some sort of reunion feels like some sort of reunion know reunion maybe something like that, you know, it's it's a technique of course with the RP history it's it's limo of course it is um You know the star bits up ah who played for us for a long time. Then there's our actual players, Baumgartner, Seiwald, maybe I forgot some more. Schlager who's injured, more. Yeah, Alavan on the bench. oh Did you mention Leimer? From Bremen. I think I mentioned Leimody. Okay. And he feels so familiar. yeah
01:04:17
Speaker
And this is so what i what I'm looking forward most. and There are so many familiar faces, and and I will do my very best ah to make a very warm welcome to Frank Nick as soon as he enters the stadium. Beautiful. Be sure you know kind of share your experience, and maybe we'll do another episode, only if you allow us to. That'll be wonderful. But I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Do enjoy, and let us know how you get on. I think I'm going to wear my red cup winner's shirt. Cup winner's shirt. Wonderful. Richard, it's been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure. It's our first, you know, RBLE global tracks at the Euros 2024. And this has been a special edition, a bonus track of our little podcast during the ah summer break. And as we said, that might be another one do you hear from us again.
01:05:15
Speaker
You guys, take care. Follow the tournament. Share on your team, whoever, which nation it is. Richard, have a great summer. Talk to you soon. You too. Everybody else, this has been RBLE Global Tracks. Good night.