less than 24 hours after Deutschland lost the EM to Spain, and already the nationalistic fervor has been smothered. after weeks of drunken men shouting “‘tschland!” to random passersby and “Mode Fans” (usually female) painting their cheeks with german stripes, the glory days are, unequivocally, over. without football as an excuse to rally together and sing their anthem and chant to their God, “Lu Lu Lu - Lucas Podolski!”, germans will return to their quiet, inoffensive way, glaring at anyone who hangs a flag from their window and immediately assuming that person has plans for the next genocide and a battered copy of Mein Kampf in their back pocket. while I appreciate contrition, (and can, now that I mention it, think of several people who could use some of the runoff from germany’s obvious overabundance), enough is e-fucking-nough. I think you’ve paid your dues, guys. it’s been over 60 years. none of the rest of us will think anything of you wanting to be a little happy you’re german outside of a sports context. so go forth! be patriotic! and don’t wait two years until the next World Cup to show your cold, german love.
