Soca wakes up sleepy Rotenburg

Hundreds of Soca Warriors fans converged on this picturesque part of northern Germany for a Trinidad and Tobago Day organised by the Mayor of Rotenburg Bullensee Weiehelsee in the historic town square.

The square has been transformed into a tropical scene complete with a boxed off area filled with sand and a palm tree to depict Maracas Beach. And from just after lunchtime the residents of Rotenburg flocked to the area to participate in the events and re-emphasise their support of the Caribbean footballers.

By selecting Rotenburg from a list of close to 100 other towns to base his team, Leo Beenhakker has brought international recognition to the hitherto unknown but friendly and charming people. And also some quick cash.

Almost every shop was opened on Sunday and the till was kept ringing as a brisk and never-ending trade was made in every imaginable item including food, drink, clothes, grocery items, souvenirs.

Even the cell phone shops invited a steady stream of curious Trinidadians and Tobagonians.

One shop advertised a Razr V3 for just one euro (TT$8) but the offer was only for Germans. Back at the square, several Trinidad and Tobago footballers joined their fans later on in the evening as Chris Garcia led a non-stop rendition of classic Soca hits.

Even the staid and reserved Germans were enticed to get into the spirit of proceedings working up a lather in the ‘‘pit’’ area near the front of the stage wining and gyrating in the warm German sun.

If an observer was not looking too carefully he would not be faulted for thinking that the event was taking place somewhere in Trinidad.

In Rotenburg, every store window has a TT flag displayed with words of encouragement to the team in a prominent position. It is a show of support that is yet to manifest in such a bold and concerted manner anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago.

The residents have warmly adopted the Soca Warriors as their own and hundreds travelled by bus to see the team’s first match against Sweden.

They are expected to journey down south again on Thursday for the match against their old enemy with everyone hoping and praying that the Warriors can slay the English lion in the crucial match-up.