European Football Championship - Storms in Dortmund: German European Championship round of 16 interrupted
The German EM-Quarterfinal in Dortmund against Denmark was interrupted for about 25 minutes on Saturday evening due to a heavy storm. Referee Michael Oliver sent both teams off the pitch in the 35th minute as lightning, thunder, and rain swept over Dortmund's stadium.
At 21.59 pm and after a short warm-up, referee Oliver blew the whistle again. This was a "joint decision with the Danes and the referees," the German Football Association announced.
The mood of the over 60,000 fans on the mostly covered stands remained calm during the break. "Due to bad weather conditions, the game was interrupted," was displayed on the video board. The players went to their cabins.
Fans sing during the pause
A heavy downpour covered the stadium. Referee expert Patrick Ittrich said on MagentaTV: "The safety of the players and spectators comes first. There is no time limit for how long the interruption lasts. We will wait until the storm passes."
During the break, fans sang at times: "Oh, how beautiful." Staff members cleared the sidelines into a gutter, several Danish fans danced in the rainwater gushing from the roof. Numerous supporters tried to protect themselves from the rain with brought-along flags or transparencies.
- Despite the storm disrupting the European Football Championship quarterfinal match between Germany and Denmark in Dortmund, the German national team's fans remained calm on the mostly covered lawn.
- The heavy storm in North Rhine-Westphalia forced the referee, Michael Oliver, to halt the soccer match between Germany and Denmark's national teams at the Dortmund stadium.
- The storm brought downpours of rain, but it didn't dampen the spirits of some Danish fans who danced in the rainwater streaming from the stadium's roof during the interruption.
- The German Football Association (DFB) announced that the decision to halt the match was a joint agreement with Denmark's team and the referees, citing safety concerns in the face of the storm.
- Michael Oliver, the England-born referee who officiated the 2018 World Cup final, resumed the European Championship quarterfinal game between Germany and Denmark in Dortmund after a 25-minute delay due to the storm.
- The storm disrupted the German team's bid to advance in the European Football Championship, with Denmark and Germany set to continue the game in Dortmund's rain-soaked stadium.
