MAINZ 05 - IF YOU ARE A MAINZER STAND UP!! - MARCH 19, 2005
Frank and I went to a Mainzer soccer match this afternoon. This was a little unusual because it was the first soccer match I’ve ever attended in my whole life. But Frank was given two tickets by a client of his and he had so much fun when he went a few weeks ago (when Mainz beat Freiburg 5-0, but then they are at the bottom of the league) that I decided I’d tag along and see what all the fuss was about. I should add here that tickets are almost impossible to come by unless you have connections. This is Mainz’s first year in the top league and EVERYONE wanted season tickets. Added to that, the stadium is very small so there aren’t a lot of seats. Today they announced that there were 20,300 fans – a complete sell out (as usual).
Mainz did all right at the beginning of the season but had a series of losses that put it just above the group of teams that will probably have to drop down into the lower league at the end of the season. Things had taken a turn for the better but a tie was the most anyone was realistically hoping for today. Mainz was playing Schalke 04, the top team in the league.
This was the Schalke section. I worked out that they comprised about 1/14 of the spectators.
It was a special day because Mainz 05 was celebrating its 100th anniversary and all the fans were asked to participate by holding up sheets of red or white paper when cued to do so. I’m sure it looked good from a plane or maybe even on TV, but it was hard to see anything with everyone holding paper up in the air. 
Luckily I was sitting at the end of our row so I could step a little to the side and take a picture of the other side of the stadium.
They look a little like wanted posters, but no, those are the Mainz players.
Then the game began. Actually I wasn’t really aware that it had begun in earnest because I was too busy checking out the area, when suddenly “GOAL!!! GOAL!!! GOAL!!! Mainz scored the first goal in the 19th SECOND of play! Wham Bang! The crowd went wild. What a way to start a game! Mainz dominated the first half and half time began with Mainz still in the lead. 
I failed to mention that we had VIP tickets so during half time we went to the VIP lounge, which was a big tent with tables and chairs and whatever you wanted to eat or drink. It was catered by Hilton Mainz and truthfully, I expected better quality. I guess it was okay if you were really hungry, but otherwise it wasn’t worth the calories.
But we weren’t here to have a gourmet meal. We were here to watch soccer.
We had great hopes of Mainz maintaining the one goal lead, but the second half began rather disappointingly. Schalke was back in form and one of the Mainzer players fouled someone in the goal area so they got to kick the ball with only the goalie to defend the goal. The point was made in the 70th minute and the game was now tied. Oh well, that was what most were hoping for before the game started. Oh ye of little faith! In the 79th minute Mainz scored again! 
I never got a picture of an actual goal. I have new respect for sports photographers!
The last ten minutes of the game made for a real nail-biting cliff-hanger. The action took place almost exclusively at the other end of the field where Schalke was desperately trying to score a goal. We were obviously sitting at the wrong end of the field because during both halves 9/10ths of the action took place at the other end. And this was especially true during the final phase.
No, the game isn't over, but where is the Schalke goalie?
He's at the other end of the field trying to help tie the game.
In the end Mainz won and knocked Schalke from first place. Not a bad end to a centennial celebration!
Our champions!
