Nearly 100 people crammed into the German Canadian Harmonie Club Sunday to watch Germany win its fourth World Cup title.
The crowd was made up of club members and several individuals who had never been to the clubhouse before, but wanted to watch the world’s biggest soccer match with other Germany fans.
Club president Inge Hoffmann said the mood was “nail-biting at first,” before Mario Gotze scored in extra time, leading Germany to a 1-0 victory over Argentina.
“Everybody jumped and cheered and waved and hollered,” said Hoffmann.
“In the end everyone was so happy.”
The German Canadian Club hosted fans for all of Germany’s World Cup games over the past month, regardless of what time kick-off occurred.
“At 9 a.m. we served breakfast, lunchtime we served soup and (in the) afternoon we had meals, coffee and cake.
“The beer flowed and everybody was having a good time right from the beginning.”
Hoffmann added she was impressed by the local level of interest in this year’s tournament.
“Soccer is growing in Canada and it’s growing in Kelowna…it’s a wonderful team sport.”
Germany won five matches on their road to the World Cup final, most notably a 7-1 thrashing over Brazil in the semi-finals.
Their only draw came against Ghana during the group stage of the tournament.
German striker Miroslav Klose also made history by becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer, with 16 goals.
It’s been about 60 years since Hoffmann moved to Canada from Germany as a young girl, but that hasn’t diminished her pride for the country she was born in.
“Deep down in the heart you still support your mother country.”
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
