Germany: World Cup fever grips Berlin... - Duncan Osborne

World Cup fever grips Berlin

Our winter was wonderful – deep crisp white snow – followed by 6 weeks of typical English weather; rain, rain and more rain. Spring came and went like forked lightening – all to be replaced with the heat of an archetypal Berlin summer and after the last few weeks of rain, the 26c degree warmth was hailed by the majority and bemoaned by others – although the 30c degrees we are expecting this week should separate the men from the boys!

Last Thursday morning in the cool of the early dawn taking our dog for our morning stroll I was greeted by an ensemble of nature – the Knighting Gail, the Black Bird, the Song Thrush, the Cuckoo and his neighbour in the far of distance the Spotted Woodpecker...all with glorious song bringing that something extra special to our not so little forest by the river Havel...

I sat on a bench high up on the hill side, watching the sun’s rays move slowly across the forest’s canopy inch by inch - cm by cm; blanketing her rays upon the leaves whose colours broke into life and changed as though brushed by some magical child’s game, transforming the once dark, bleak leaves into exquisite, fresh colours of apple and lime-greens and golden and bright yellows; colours which one could imagine could be cool to the touch, and the forest clean and fresh; making all around you feel energised and happy, giving all who were there that morning a true sense of renewal.

The vantage spot where I sat looked out through a break in the treeline across to the Berlin river Havel, which looks from where I was sitting as though it has been lifted from England’s Lake District and brought across especially for that morning’s enjoyment...the Cuckoo called again and in the distance I could hear the church bells toll calling out to its local congregation.

It was a time to ponder, a time to take a moment to reflect on past months and a time to plan for the next 6. These have certainly been interesting times – times of the financial crisis – of government change - of oil disasters and here locally of the slow diminishing value of our Euro...

Here in Germany’s capital things are taking shape too – Berlin’s International Airport ("The Willy Brandt International") and the typically-German efficient international infrastructure that surrounds the billion-Euro development means those of us here in Berlin at least have a fabulous opportunity for the future.
Yes, the Euro is weak and the financial crisis is hitting very hard those who have been caught unaware, but there are many sectors which are flourishing and many Europeans who are benefiting from this crisis.

Living here you become instantly aware that Berlin is accessible from all four corners of the globe and it is for this reason we have set up our central location and office here. We commute regularly to and from London and Frankfurt – and in the past Berlin and Singapore...Berlin and Dubai...and if England do well maybe Berlin and Johannesburg!

For the short trips the low cost carriers have been a blessing. German Wings and Air Berlin are the local low cost brands and with the likes of internationally-renowned Ryanair and EasyJet connecting into London Luton and London Stansted.

On Wednesday last, one of our clients was amazed to hear that I had left our apartment here in Berlin at 8am that morning and sat down with him to discuss his European online marketing strategy at 12noon of the same day...I do remember the time (years ago) driving from Birmingham and getting into the City some 3 hours later...and that was on a good day.

The only issue that irritates me; which is not in any way a criticism of my own mother country (far too many expats do that); is when I travel from my home here in Berlin to Flughafen Schönefeld, it takes approximately 50 minutes and I can use either the S-Bahn (Stadt Bahn) train line which runs every 10mins and the Schönefeld express train which runs every 30. A return trip will cost me €5.80 and I can use the same ticket on the trams, the buses and the underground (U-Bahn) if I so wish. For a similar journey in the UK and same travel time period, connecting London Stanstead with London Liverpool Street or London Luton to London St. Pancras the average fare is £30 to £35 and then you have to pay for the underground!

“Public Viewing” is the buzz word back here in Berlin and it has enthralled the city once again. In key locations all over the city (and throughout Germany) football fans can watch the World Cup on enormous outdoor screens and they have been a massive hit with thousands upon thousands of fans.

Berlin is once again in the grip of football fever – national flags are everywhere – Italian, Greek, Brazilian, Dutch, French, English and German. And the atmosphere is electric; last night at the Olympic stadium over 35,000 passionate football fans watched their national team tear into the Australian defence...although the 1st goal was a blatant offside – the Olympic stadium was a throng of cheering supporters – celebrating the win and the display of fabulous football that was in my mind simply breathtaking. Germany has stamped their mark on this tournament – the only question I have is, “Can our team do the same?” Come on England!

This morning’s news is filled with editorial pressure on Angela Merkel to display the same kind of passion, commitment and leadership demonstrated by her national team in far-flung Durban.
World cup fever has gripped Berlin like many other cities, towns and villages throughout our world...it is one of the many reasons why we are here – watching over the water, the stunning views, the bird song, the cheap travel, the passion of the people - and of course the beer.

Duncan Osborne

Duncan is Director at Osborne Radloff Associates. In 2006 he decided to base his operations in Berlin.