Of course, the situation with the mugs is not going to happen again on Wednesday. Because the very mugs that are part of the Bavarian beer garden like gravel and chestnuts were temporarily sold out in the Hofbräukeller on Friday evening, which is why the beer had to be served in half-liter glasses, reports Günter Steinberg, who has run the pub on Wiener Platz since 1995. The reason for the shortage was the immense rush at the public viewing in the beer garden, where the opening game of this European Championship between Germany and Scotland was shown on screens.
“We didn’t expect it to be so extreme,” says Günter Steinberg. “Some people were sitting on the floor, and we had to turn many away. It was a land of floods – but in a good way.” The landlord is expecting a similar hustle and bustle on Wednesday, when Germany plays Hungary in the second group match at 6 p.m. – especially as the weather is expected to be summery warm. There are no reservations in the Hofbräukeller beer garden. But anyone who wants to secure a seat with a good view of the screen will have to come early, says Steinberg – “I’d say no later than 2 p.m.”
It sounds similar in many Munich restaurants that offer public viewing of the European Championships – including the Tegernseer in the valley. A whopping 5,000 liters of beer were served there in the first four days of the tournament, says landlord Constantin Wahl, who comments on this paragraph as follows: “Unbelievable madness.” The opening game in particular was an experience, not least because of the opposing fans. “The Scots drank an awful lot, and yet there were no dropouts,” reports Wahl. “They were all very pleasant people.” His restaurant, which also shows a lot of football outside of major tournaments, is broadcasting all of the European Championship games. For the German games – including on Wednesday – all of the tables have long been reserved, according to Wahl. Guests can still get seats in the bar, but they have to come early.
Christian Schottenhamel from Paulaner am Nockherberg also recommends arriving early – “at least two hours before kick-off”. On Friday, 3,000 people sat in the beer garden, which the landlord said was “packed to the brim”. “Unfortunately, we had to turn a lot of people away.” At least: After a lot of reservations had been received in advance, “a corresponding amount of beer was prepared,” says Schottenhamel. And so even the party-loving Scots were unable to empty their supplies. The landlord is expecting another rush on Wednesday. All the tables in front of the three screens are fully booked; however, half of the seats cannot be reserved and are therefore still available. In terms of atmosphere, Schottenhamel is hoping for a déjà vu: “The atmosphere on Friday was unique. Football is simply something that brings people together.”
That was exactly what happened backstage, where boss Hans-Georg Stocker spoke of the “fullest opening game we’ve ever had.” Although the entrance had to be closed temporarily, everyone waiting was ultimately allowed in. “So I assume that it won’t be a problem to get a seat at the next game,” says Stocker, whose backstage shows all of the European Championship games in seven areas on the extensive grounds. If you want to be on the safe side, you can book a ticket on the website that guarantees entry. The price of ten euros includes either a liter of beer or two soft drinks.
:European Championship games in Munich: Everything about games, how to get there and fan festivals
The European Football Championship has been running in Germany since June 14th. All information at a glance.
One of the best places to watch live football in the open air is undoubtedly the Milchhäusl in the English Garden. The match against Scotland was shown on several televisions there, and the small organic beer garden was huge, says landlord Axel Bansemir. “That’s why I don’t know whether I should advertise it on Wednesday. Experience has shown that it gets packed when the weather is nice.” The opposite of the public viewing at the back of the tiny Milchhäusl is the fan zone in the Olympic Park, which is designed to accommodate up to 30,000 people.
And yet, many visitors could be turned away there on Wednesday. “There is a high probability that the capacity limit will be reached,” a spokeswoman for the Olympic Park told the dpa news agency. “It is therefore definitely advisable to arrive as early as possible.” At the opening match, the crowds were so large that the police stopped anyone from entering the grounds three hours before kick-off at 9 p.m. On Wednesday, kick-off will be at 6 p.m.; the fan zone in the Olympic Park will open at 1 p.m.