Only a World Cup could bring Old Europe and the Caribbean like this together but Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao.
Courtesy of Derself, who was born on a British military base.
And circumnavigated the world when her family returned from a posting in Australia.
Bringing back mementoes, as we all do, which have taken on another life as the years have rolled on.
A word from the advertisers
So meet Yorkie, here modelling a Curacao t-shirt which once adorned Derself and Der Daughterie of Derself.
And Barney Bear who despite his very Bavarian lederhosen hails from the home of German beardom, Swabia.
Now whisper it around Barney who doesn’t have the iconic button in his ear which all Steiff bears have.
He’s actually bear ein Berliner but the German capital too has a bear tradition going back 600 years.
All of which he told me at one of those hydration breaks they have brought in during halfs to sell advertising.
New alliances
Now such is the bonhomie of a World Cup that new alliances are forged regardless of the scoreline.
Such as German football fans and Curacao supporters.
Although, in truth, the 150,000 party people of Curaçao’s connection is with the Netherlands.
Of which they are a constituent island nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
While old alliances are renewed such as that between the Tartan Army and the samba-dancing Brazilians.
And yes, senor, we can boogie.
With the two sets of famously partying fans renewing acquaintances for a fifth time at World Cups in 50 years.
Another reason to see Amsterdam
Now we obviously know our way around Germany but Curacao clearly takes more prep.
So if you’re not on a round-the-world boat journey, and you should, you deserve it.
Then it makes sense that you’ll fly out of Amsterdam with KLM.
Which we priced up at from £1,177pp from Edinburgh going through Tuliptown.