A severe weather storm forced a brief suspension of the Round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark in Dortmund on Saturday night, sending shockwaves through the stadium.
DORTMUND, GERMANY - The highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between Germany and Denmark was sensationally halted on Saturday night due to a torrential thunderstorm that besieged Dortmund.
With just over half an hour played, and the teams still scoreless, lightning, thunder, and torrential rain lashed the field, prompting referee Michael Oliver to take swift action. Oliver ordered the teams to vacate the field and head back to their respective locker rooms, as the storm intensified and became increasingly dangerous for both players and spectators.
Heavy rain had been forecast for the match, but the sheer intensity of the storm took organizers and fans by surprise. Hailstones pelted the stadium roof with deafening noise, while flooded areas emerged on the field and in the lower sections of the stands.
Chaos ensued as the weather worsened, with stadium staff scrambling to clear flooded concrete areas and fans seeking refuge higher up in the stadium. Amidst the confusion, an announcement was displayed on the stadium board, informing fans in German, Danish, and English that the match had been suspended due to adverse weather conditions.
As the storm raged on, fans took to social media to express their astonishment and concern. The players, who had been in the midst of a highly competitive match, were forced to wait patiently for further instructions.
After approximately 24 minutes, the players re-emerged at 9:56 p.m. local time, much to the relief of fans. They were permitted a brief warm-up before the match resumed, with staff continuing to perform repair work on the grass until moments before play commenced.
The match resumed with renewed intensity, and both teams pushed hard to gain an advantage. Germany, in particular, looked strong in the opening stages, creating several chances but failing to capitalize. The match remained scoreless as the first half drew to a close.
The second half began with Denmark showing more urgency, but Germany remained resilient in defense. As the match progressed, the weather conditions improved, and the match was played out in relatively calm conditions.
In the end, it was Germany who emerged victorious, winning the match 2-1. The victory sends Germany through to the quarterfinals, where they will face Spain.
