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Berlin Fan Zone Filled to Limit

DW staff (ktz)June 29, 2008

More than three hours ahead of Germany's Euro 2008 final with Spain on Sunday, authorities were forced to close the Berlin fan mile due to overcapacity.

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German soccer fans celebrate at the fan mile in Berlin.Image: AP

Some 500,000 fans were reportedly standing shoulder to shoulder in the Berlin fan zone near the Berlin Brandenburg Gate hours ahead of the kick off, when a spokeswoman announced no more people could enter the area.

Deutschland Fußball EM 2008 Fanmeile in Berlin
The Berlin fan mile is 1.2 kilometersImage: picture-alliance/ dpa

Millions of Germans were due to watch the final against Spain at fan zones and public viewing areas across the country, in restaurants and bars or at home. But the 1.2 kilometer long Berlin fan mile in the former East Berlin is one of the biggest open-air viewing venues in the country.

Fans were kept in good spirits with live music acts and D-Jays ahead of the broadcast of the Vienna final which was due to start at 18:45 GMT.

Some 1,600 police were on duty in Berlin to ensure safety.

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