Plenty of people in Germany are crazy about soccer. It is not only the most popular of team sports in Germany, but the country’s favorite spectator sport as well. During the main season for premier league games, large stadiums across Germany are packed every weekend. Moreover, millions follow the coverage of soccer matches on TV.
The German enthusiasm for football peaked during the FIFA World Cup in 2006, as the event took place in Germany. National media referred to it as one big party. Germany lost against Italy in the semi-finals and managed to finish third, although it had won the World Cup trophy three times before.
There are a variety of other international events focusing on sports in Germany. None can quite compete with the appeal of soccer, though. Not even the Olympic Games managed to attract the same attention. Furthermore, both times when the Summer Olympics were held in Germany they caused a controversial stir.