The ball has been rolling at the World Cup in Qatar since last Sunday. Winter and public viewing do not go together per se, which is why you will look in vain for big whizzes on fan miles in the districts of Freising and Erding. The Therme Erding makes common football euphoria possible to a certain extent, for the gastronomy the following applies: TV if desired.
There are certainly enough reasons to skip this World Cup as a spectator. Numerous workers died in accidents during the construction of the stadium, and human rights are generally trampled on in the emirate. Freedom of the press is not far off, just as little as sustainability. And anyway: does kicking in the desert really have to be?
There is no space for public viewing at the airport. The MAC is now Christmas market
As an unconditional football fan, you could certainly have imagined public viewing in the cold season under the roof of the MAC at Munich Airport. At least it would have been dry. However, Flughafen München GmbH (FMG) was not at all embarrassed to ask whether a transfer was morally justifiable. “Our Christmas market started in this area at the start of the World Cup. That’s why we didn’t even think about it,” said FMG spokesman Edgar Engert.
Those responsible for the Erdinger Therme have given some thought. They came to the conclusion: water fun and football – they continue to go well together. A week before the opening of the World Cup, technicians were busy ensuring the transmission signal for the big screen in the wave pool. “But even if that doesn’t work, all games that are broadcast on public radio can be seen on big screens,” says Marcus Maier, who is responsible for public relations at the thermal baths. That’s why nobody feels bad.
“The child has already fallen into the well,” says the Therme Erding
“The child has already fallen into the well. The DFB could have boycotted the World Cup, right?” said Maier. “What is happening in such countries in terms of human rights is terrible. But we always go by what our customers want and have the feeling that many would not come if we were not broadcast.” In addition, the guest can decide whether he actually looks at it or not.
In Freising’s Café Etcetera, Claudia Rankl – who has been the tenant of the restaurant since the beginning of this year – has not made any plans in advance for broadcasting the World Cup. But she has no hesitation in turning on the TV if guests want it. “We won’t show all the games anyway, I think it will come down to the games of the German team.”
“We’re boycotting the World Cup completely”: The leaseholder of the Bräustüberl is angry with FIFA
Thierry Willems is further away from this serenity than hosting a beach volleyball tournament in Greenland. “I’m pissed off. We won’t broadcast a single game. We’re boycotting the World Cup completely,” railed the tenant of the Bräustüberl Weihenstephan, where fans used to gather at previous soccer tournaments to watch and celebrate together. “Here in Germany people are encouraged to save energy, they talk about the ecological footprint. And there millions and billions of air-conditioned stadiums are being built there,” says Willems. “Playing football in the desert is so decadent. The awarding of the World Cup to Qatar was just nonsensical. There must have been bribes. I think FIFA is a corrupt bunch. It has nothing to do with sport anymore.” He doesn’t want to impose his attitude on anyone. “Everyone has to decide for themselves. But for me, broadcasting the World Cup is morally unacceptable,” said Willems.