Germany’s last 16 clash with Denmark has been suspended 10 minutes before half-time by referee Michael Oliver after a thunderstorm hit the stadium in Dortmund, with the game goalless
Germany’s last 16 clash with Denmark has been suspended due to extreme weather, with a lightning storm hitting the area around Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
Two huge claps of thunder rang out around the stadium, before referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle and directed the two sets of players to leave the pitch. Rain then started pouring down as well as hail stones as lightning could be seen striking the area around the ground.
The stadium’s roof also started leaking, with huge waterfalls soaking the supporters who attended the game. At first, the players stood around the dugouts, before Oliver instructed them to return to the dressing rooms after a few minutes of waiting.
After a delay of around 23 minutes, the players returned to the pitch, with a five-minute warm-up allowed to both sets of players before Oliver restarted the game from the point he had called the teams off.
Oliver also took the delegates of both teams away from the cameras and microphones in the tunnel as he explained the situation. The rain did soon begin easing, with an abandonment seemingly an unrealistic outcome.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou revealed he had faced a similar situation several times. He added on ITV: “It’s a bit like half-time. It will be uncertainty now. You want the dressing room to be calm and get the information relayed to everyone.”
Some Germany fans began using the red, yellow and black cards they held up earlier for the national flag to use as shelter. While two Denmark fans were spotted dancing under one of the waterfalls that formed at the stadium due to the heavy rain.
Earlier, Oliver was the centre of controversy when he disallowed a goal for Germany after four minutes. Nico Schlotterbeck rose highest at a corner to head in, but Oliver blew his whistle after apparently spotting a foul in the build-up.
Replays struggled to show where the foul was, with former Scotland international Ally McCoist left fuming. He said in commentary for ITV: “That’s soft, I’m telling you that’s soft, it’s a goal! I’m looking at it. Schlotterbeck is up about four stories.
“The leap is incredible. The delivery is good but he is up at some height. I’m guessing some infringement has been spotted.”
Though Arsenal legend Ian Wright pointed out Joshua Kimmich blocking a defender as the reason Oliver blew up. He said: “Kimmich made it so obvious he’s turned into him. He knows where he’s coming from, so all he needs to do is run like he’s running into the corner himself.”
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