Finally football fever again - albeit according to strict rules.

For the first German group game at the European Championship on Tuesday in Munich, fans celebrated happily and peacefully.

That didn't change when the German team later lost 1-0.

14,500 people got hold of tickets to watch the game live.

By afternoon they had moved to the stadium in droves.

“It's just great to experience that again after a year and a half.

The game is almost irrelevant, ”said a man from Düsseldorf who had come with two friends and a German flag.

There was also a lot of activity in many beer gardens, which broadcast the game on TVs and screens.

The police observed what was happening in downtown Munich as well as in front of the stadium, where officers of the equestrian relay were on the move.

"There were isolated violations, but not more," said a police spokesman before the start of the game.

Let it be civil.

However: With the distance it was such a thing, many fell into each other's arms after all.

After all, everyone who wanted to go to the soccer arena had to show a negative corona test.

The French, who had already been received at the main train station by a German-French police unit, were particularly happy to celebrate.

"The visitors (...) were pleasantly surprised, were happy to be greeted in their national language and asked for souvenir photos," reported the police.

The first guests arrive in the afternoon

One of those French fans was Galton.

In a full body suit in the colors of the tricolor he caused a stir.

"We waited three years for this," said the Parisian.

Frank from Nice was firmly convinced that the French now have a good chance of succeeding European champions Portugal after winning the World Cup.

The mood in many beer gardens was happy and relaxed.

The first guests gathered in the afternoon, following strict rules of distance and hygiene.

For Paul Daly from the “Kilians” bar in Munich, a ray of hope after months of closings.

“That's wonderful!” He accepts that strict rules apply and that he can entertain fewer people than usual.

His guests should feel safe.

The 200 or so people in front of the bar enthusiastically watched the game.

The main purpose of visiting the beer garden that evening should be eating and drinking according to the specifications of the Bavarian state government.

Football: a minor matter.

David from Munich can only be amazed: “That is not realistic,” he thinks.

“And they also know that this is the case.

But it can be packaged better this way. "