It's a premiere: Bernd Kaffenberger gives his employees "Eintracht-frei".

The entrepreneur runs six Rewe markets in Bad Vilbel and Eschborn, four of which are normally open until 10 p.m.

But this Wednesday they will close two hours earlier, after all, there is a state of emergency in the Rhine-Main area: For the first time in 42 years, the professional footballers of Frankfurt Eintracht are in a European final.

Back then, in May 1980, Eintracht prevailed against German rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Now the team is fighting against Glasgow Rangers in Seville, Spain.

And not just a city, but an entire region is upside down.

Alexander Juergs

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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Daniel Schleidt

Coordinator of the economics department in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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"Spontaneously" Bernd Kaffenberger had the idea of ​​closing his supermarkets earlier so that his employees wouldn't miss the final, which starts at 9 p.m.

Now everyone is watching together in the market in Bad Vilbel, with beer, apple wine and bratwurst.

But the workforce is not complete.

The boss himself will be absent because he got hold of one of the rare tickets for the game in Seville.

Other employees managed to get tickets for the public viewing in Frankfurt's Waldstadion.

“Fan march” to the stadium

The tickets for watching football together in Eintracht's home stadium were in great demand, and the 50,000 seats sold out quickly.

So that a few more fans can take part in the football party, a screen is now also being set up in front of the stadium.

A huge crowd is to march there, a "fan march" wants to make its way from the Römerberg to the stadium.

With megaphones, drums and flags they want to loudly cheer on the club of their heart.

"Everyone I know can't think of anything else," says Bjarne May, who took part in the organization.

The Eintracht community has been drumming about the march on social networks for the past few days, and it is supposed to start at 5:30 p.m. at the Römer.

1000 participants are officially registered, but the organizers suspect that significantly more fans could come.

But many also want to watch the game in pubs, restaurants and on the terraces of bars.

But if you haven't made a reservation for it, you're unlikely to find a place.

In any case, a large rush is expected in the bar district of Alt-Sachsenhausen.

"During the semifinals, you couldn't even see the ground anymore," recalls Lorna O'Sullivan, from the "Dauth-Schneider" cider business.

Large screens are to be set up outside the pub so that fans who cannot stay inside can also follow the game.

The "Dauth-Schneider" has been fully booked for a week.

O'Sullivan is looking forward to the evening and the fans.

"The mood is generally so euphoric, it's just fun," she says.

Outdoor areas on the Römerberg must close

It's no different just around the corner at O'Dwyer's Irish Pub.

"I have to cancel ten people a day," reports landlady Ruth Twelde.