Six sell-out matches, 396,000 spectators at six games and eleven countries from all over the world demonstrating their footballing skills in Fröttmaning. The Allianz Arena witnessed three and a half weeks of the World Cup at its best. The Arena's World Cup is now over following the semi-final encounter between Portugal and France.
It all started with the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica (4-2). This was followed by the Saudi Arabia versus Tunisia clash (2-2), before the Samba rhythm took hold in the Arena for the Brazil versus Australia game (2-0). The fourth group game saw the Ivory Coast play Serbia-Montenegro (3-2). The best match atmosphere was at the fifth game when Klinsmann's team convincingly beat Sweden 2-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals. The grand finale was France against Portugal. France, including their Bayern player Willy Sagnol, came out on top with a 1-0 win.
Tens of thousands of fans from all over the world partied in Munich city centre before, during and after the matches. Arena boss Peter Kerspe summed it all up in the 'Bild' newspaper, “The World Cup was a fantastic success for us.” While the World Cup carries on to Sunday the Bavarian capital Munich has already drawn up a balance sheet. The people responsible for the events did this on Thursday, the day after the last game was played in the Bavarian capital.
The bottom line for Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, is, “The World Cup is a success story with long term benefits. Our expectations have been met or even surpassed.” The organisers were particularly happy with the issues of security and atmosphere. “There was a wonderfully happy and peaceful atmosphere in the stadium, at the Fan Fests or in the 'party mile' on Leopoldstraße“,Ude claimed and he spoke of a “magnificent closing balance”.
Helpers such as the volunteers who put in 14,306 hours of unpaid work made this positive view of the city possible. And the continuous summer weather as Ude admitted with a wink of the eye. “Our guests now think Munich has always got beautiful weather and all the people are always friendly. Of course that's looking on the bright side.”, the mayor added.
Now that the World Cup is over in Munich, the big clean-up can begin. In the Allianz Arena work is already underway in restoring the football temple to its previous state with only three days left before the stadium is handed back from FIFA's care in pristine condition. The clear up work is also closely tied to using up the remaining leftover stock.
The Hamburg auction house Dechow has been given the task of auctioning off everything that is no longer required – from tables, corner seating units to designer lamps. At the end of July the Allianz Arena lettering will be moved from the 'Haus der Kunst' gallery back to its original location. The pitch that was installed for the World Cup tournament will remain in place and be used at the start of the new season.
Tens of thousands of fans from all over the world partied in Munich city centre before, during and after the matches. Arena boss Peter Kerspe summed it all up in the 'Bild' newspaper, “The World Cup was a fantastic success for us.” While the World Cup carries on to Sunday the Bavarian capital Munich has already drawn up a balance sheet. The people responsible for the events did this on Thursday, the day after the last game was played in the Bavarian capital.
The bottom line for Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, is, “The World Cup is a success story with long term benefits. Our expectations have been met or even surpassed.” The organisers were particularly happy with the issues of security and atmosphere. “There was a wonderfully happy and peaceful atmosphere in the stadium, at the Fan Fests or in the 'party mile' on Leopoldstraße“,Ude claimed and he spoke of a “magnificent closing balance”.
Helpers such as the volunteers who put in 14,306 hours of unpaid work made this positive view of the city possible. And the continuous summer weather as Ude admitted with a wink of the eye. “Our guests now think Munich has always got beautiful weather and all the people are always friendly. Of course that's looking on the bright side.”, the mayor added.
Now that the World Cup is over in Munich, the big clean-up can begin. In the Allianz Arena work is already underway in restoring the football temple to its previous state with only three days left before the stadium is handed back from FIFA's care in pristine condition. The clear up work is also closely tied to using up the remaining leftover stock.
The Hamburg auction house Dechow has been given the task of auctioning off everything that is no longer required – from tables, corner seating units to designer lamps. At the end of July the Allianz Arena lettering will be moved from the 'Haus der Kunst' gallery back to its original location. The pitch that was installed for the World Cup tournament will remain in place and be used at the start of the new season.
