Dortmund, Germany

Match report: Borrisa Dortmund v Mainz.

Football dominates sport in Europe, even more so than rugby attracts

the headlines in New Zealand. Johan and I managaged to get tickets 

to watch Borrisa Dortmund play Mainz in the opening match of the 

Bundesliga.

Their stadium is the largest freestanding stadium in Europe, holding 

81,500 fans. Of these 56,000 are held by season ticket holders.

Inadvertently we bought tickets at the end of the ground where there 

is standing room only. It is known as 'Diegelbe Wand' or the yellow 

wall. 

Twenty five thousand big sausage eating and beer swilling German fans 

were packed in an hour before the game started. That hour comprised 

continuous singing and saluting and chanting.

It was deafening.

'We'll never walk alone' even got a rendition in honour of Dortmund's

former coach,Jurgen Klopp.

For the record Borussia Dortmund beat Mainz 2 - 1. The Mainz fans 

received an armed police escort away from the ground at the end of 

proceedings. We left to give our ears a breather.

Walking to the ground 90 minutes before kick off.

Johan getting frisked.

60 minutes before kick off.

Mainz fans getting excited before kick off

Finally some on field action.

The penalty that is just about to give Dortmund the lead and send the crowd delirious.

Some big Mainz fans receiving a police escort away from the ground.