Germans in York ready to support their team in World Cup (From York Press)

Germans in York ready to support their team in World Cup

9:56am Saturday 26th June 2010 in World Cup news By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

NO OTHER football fixture has such a colourful history or is able to arouse as much passion as England versus Germany.

Tomorrow, our national team will once again square up to the old foe in the knock-out stages of the World Cup.

Pubs, clubs, homes and back gardens throughout York will see thousands of England fans tune in to see another epic clash between the two nations.

However, not everyone will be waving the flag of St George on Sunday – particularly the many Germans who have made their home in our region.

Dorothee O’Callaghan, 42, a German who lives in York with her English-Italian husband and three children, Sophia, Leon and Max, said: “I will certainly be supporting Germany because I am German. I think from the games so far, the teams are pretty evenly matched.

“We are having a bit of a party at the house, but I am going to draw German flags with my children because they are hard to find over here.”

She said: “I will feel sympathy for England if they lose. I am a little bit fed up with them going on about how they never win and they might stop talking about 1966.”

Also looking forward to the game is Kurt Haendlmayer, 46, who is holding a barbecue at his Heworth home to entertain English friends and fellow Germans.

“If Germany gets knocked out I will support England,” he said.

“I’m just glad both teams are still in – it’s only when they play each other will I support Germany.”

Mr Haendlmayer predicted English heartache on Sunday with a 1-0 victory to the Germans. Rita Lowe, 79, who moved to York in 1953, and has an English husband, George, also had divided loyalties. “I will be staying neutral,” she said.

“I don’t mind England winning – they deserve it but they have got to get their penalties right.”

They’re baking for England...

Pupils at Huntington Primary School took part in a World Cup Day during England’s group match against Slovenia, organised by the Parent Teachers’ Association, with youngsters wearing football kits for the day and selling England cakes.

Head teacher Ann McKeown said: “It was really our way of saying ‘Come on England’, in the hope they would make it through to the next round. It was lovely, the children were very positive and very pleased the next day when England had won.”

“We’re all looking forward to the game against Germany. We’ll have to see what happens but let’s hope we get through to the final.”

Police on trouble watch

SPECIALIST public order teams will be on standby in York should disorder break out during tomorrow’s game.

Officers will be on patrol in the city centre and North Yorkshire Police has warned any troublemakers can expect to be arrested.

Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: “The vast majority of people will simply want to enjoy watching the England game against Germany. It should be a terrific occasion and hopefully the result will be cause for celebration come the final whistle.

“In any event North Yorkshire Police will provide a reassuring presence. We will not tolerate alcohol-fuelled trouble and should anyone involve themselves in violence or bad behaviour then they can expect to be arrested and face the consequences.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrin Smith, head of the force’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, said: “We have seen a small increase in the numbers of domestic violence incidents occurring on England match days. I find this completely unacceptable and disturbing.”