We report from Leipzig, the only old East German venue hosting games at the Euros.
Gavin Cooney IT’S THE MORNING after my gonzo reporting of Germany vs Hungary and I’m sitting on a train platform with a headache that is sawing off bits of my skull.
There are little emblems of Leipzig’s former political status: the little green man at pedestrian crossings, for instance, is a squatter, thicker-jawed figure than the svelte stickman the Western media so harmfully and unrealistically promotes. The tournament highlights the ongoing asymmetry between East and West. Leipzig is the only host venue among the former GDR, and Toni Kroos is the only member of the Germany squad born in the former East.
These expressions, I learn, are very much in vogue around here at the moment. Being Germany, there is a specific word for this, Ostalgie, a portmanteau of ‘East’ and ‘Nostalgia.’ Because that unhappiness does seem to exist: the far-right AfD polls highest in the old East, and mapping the results of the recent European elections shows that, while the Wall has fallen, an invisible border has been erected in its place.— Tom Nuttall June 10, 2024 Much more interesting is the Contemporary History Forum.
This is all to say that a wry, subversive and utterly distinct culture existed among the people of East Germany in spite of the regime’s best efforts to suppress it. Though they were narrowly beaten by France in the opening game, Austria beat Poland in their second game to put them in a very good position to advance to the last-16 as one of the third-placed sides at worst.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Euro 2024 diary: Liquorice rocket fuel is the drink of choice as Germany march onGavin Cooney enjoys the hosts’ 2-0 win against Hungary in the company of some Dusseldorf football fans.
Read more »
Euro 2024 diary: Travel chaos shows again that Uefa do not care about fansGavin Cooney reports from Germany.
Read more »
Bellingham privately named Euro 2024 wonderkid he thinks is 'better than him'Upon receiving the Golden Boy trophy last year, Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham spoke of another youngster he believes could even eclipse him and who is making his mark at the Euros
Read more »
Hungary striker Martin Ádám responds after being body shamed at Euro 2024It's man stuff
Read more »
Ruud Gullit responds to 'blackface' image of Dutch fans dressed as him at Euro 2024It's man stuff
Read more »
Serbia threaten to pull out of Euro 2024It's man stuff
Read more »