World Cup Soccer Headquarters: Old World Restaurant and BeerGarden
Germany defeated Uruguay on the rainy night of July 10 in Port Elizabeth. Regular customers at Old World German Village in Huntington Beach gathered outside in the beer garden and inside the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. to watch the last Germany match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Though the atmosphere had shifted from the previous viewing of Germany's win over Australia, these fans still came out to support Germany even if they were not playing for the trophy. Some of the same soccer club members attended, cheering after Germany's goals and chanting when the team won the third place ranking.
World Cup Team Flags
With several attempts on goal by both teams, the game was an exciting one. Uruguay won the very first World Cup and put up a fight with the opposing team in this third place match. Germany's Aogo received a yellow card after he kicked the shin of his opponent. His teammate, Cacau also earned one due to his handball while Uruguay had a penalty kick. Mueller of Germany scored in the 19th minute from a rebound off of the goalie. Cavani of Uruguay evened out the score in the 28th minute as he kicked the ball directly into the corner of the goal. Further into the game, Germany was awarded a penalty kick, though Schweinsteiger missed the goal. Uruguay's Forlan put the ball in the net in the 51st minute, but Jansen took it back five minutes later with a header. Germany was now dominating this dual as Khedira scored in the 82nd minute, yet his teammate, Friedrich got yellow-carded. As a result, Uruguay was awarded a penalty kick, but they did not make the goal in time to even out the score again. The final outcome resulted in a 2-3 win for Deutschland, landing the team in third place overall. They had earned their fourth bronze medal.
Old World regulars in the beer garden
Karin Peiler, from Berlin, Germany mentioned that Germany should have won, but only came in second place in the previous World Cup in her home country. She believes being in third place this year "doesn't really matter," because they "want to be first," but she is still happy for her team and wishes she was celebrating with her fellow Germans overseas. Peiler's friend, Theresa Pearson, of Munich, Germany was wearing a red Germany shirt with a black, white and yellow star on it. These stars represented the number of times Germany has won the World Cup. She hopes the team can add another star in four years when they fight for their fourth championship title.
Karin Peiler and her boot-shaped beer glass
Atmosphere after Germany scores and wins
The Vanovers were just two of the fans celebrating Germany's victory. Steven, of Dutch heritage said "we picked Holland and Germany to be in the finals of course as a replay of '74 with hopefully a different ending...in '74 the Dutch lost to a better German team." He believes "Germany is such a fantastic young team, but tomorrow is about Holland...the two best teams are in the final, but we think the Dutch have a solid shot." Commenting on the German team, he said, "they beat Argentina, what more need you say!?" Kaitlin, of Hungarian decent thought "Germany deserved third place," but said "we have great faith in Holland." This couple travels to Amsterdam about every year.
Kaitlin and Steven Vanover happy for Germany and rooting for the Dutch
Rita Owens, from Budapest, Hungary is an Old World employee who often socializes with guests she considers friends. Gary Cunningham, of Irish roots is the president of the Old World soccer club and has been coming to the German village for about five or six years. "We all know where we go when Germany is in the World Cup, we come to Old World." Robert Weiss, of Essen West, Germany joked about Old World's food: "Just look at the size of some of us!" Commenting on Germany's result, Cunningham said it "sucks...we should have won." Cunningham also mentioned some details on German Heritage Day to take place Sunday, July 11, the day of the World Cup title match. Apparently, one vote determined which language--German or English--was to be spoken in America.
German fans: Rita Owens, Gary Cunningham, Karin Peiler and Robert Weiss
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