FIFA World Cup 2014: Beer, rain-soaked crowds in Berlin rally for World Cup win

BERLIN: More than 200,000 Germany fans thronged in central Berlin for the World Cup final Sunday, turning an avenue behind the Brandenburg Gate into a sea of black, red and gold flags.
The city closed the so-called Fan Mile to traffic at the landmark symbol of national unity to make way for supporters cheering on the German side in its showdown against Argentina.
Crowds surpassed the 200,000 maximum capacity hours before the match, an event spokeswoman said.

Braving a driving downpour, vendors did a booming trade in currywurst, a local speciality of sausage smothered in spicy ketchup, and plastic cups of beer.
Germans who have waited since 1990 for the Mannschaft to bring home a fourth World Cup title said they believed this was their year.
Manuel, a 19-year-old from Brandenburg state outside Berlin, smiled with his cheeks painted in the German colours.

"I think it's going to be 2-0 for Germany," he said, adding that he had been a regular part of the Fan Mile during the month-long tournament.
"I have been here for five hours," he said in the late afternoon, fearful of missing out when the authorities close the gates to prevent overcrowding.

Normally a rare sight due to the country's dark history, German flags fluttered from street lamps, honking cars snaking through city streets and supporters' shoulders, worn like superhero capes.

Revellers young and old, male and female donned mohawk wigs, bunny ears and cowboy hats in the national colours, chanting "Deutschland, oh-ho."
A group of disabled fans in wheelchairs sang their hearts out as they made their way through the masses.

"I bet Germany will win 1-0," said Eda Sobota, 70, with a Hawaiian-style garland of plastic flowers in the German colours hanging from her neck.
"I'm from East Germany and have supported the all-German team since reunification" in 1990, she said.