DORTMUND INVADED by

Dortmund was electrifying yesterday as thousands of people of all colours, creed and race flocked the Dortmund city centre . Those who did not secure tickets for the opening match were looking for venues to see the game and party with friends.

The train station saw trains arriving with thousands of Germans, Swedes, Poles, Japanese, but most of all there were so many Trinbagonians, all carrying banners, drums flags. The red, white and black national colours were certainly making an impact in Dortmund.

Late yesterday the party had just started with a showcase of TT culture.

All the pubs were having small fetes with artistes such as the likes of Destra, Maximus Dan, Doggy, Slaughter, and the band Atlantik, who were carded to play at the main party ground together with BWIA Invaders steelband.

The Trinidad and Tobago team arrived at the match venue in Dortmund yesterday morning and had a good workout under the watchful eyes of coach Leo Beenhakker. The Warriors went through their paces in fine tropical like weather conditions, and the guys all looked pretty good.

The media were not allowed to speak to them and were only allowed near the Soca Warriors for 15 minutes. There are thousands of Swedes here but many do not have tickets for the match and have come with signs stating they will pay 1,000 Euros which is about 7,000 TT dollars for a ticket. So while the Germans party with the TT fans and artistes and the Soca warriors train, the Swedish fans are saying that they will beat us five nil.