Essen's Flag Street: 'Flaggen-Achim' Creates World Cup Party

For two decades, Achim Klimmeck, affectionately known as "Flaggen-Achim," has transformed Essen's Rullichstraße into a sea of German flags, celebrating the World Cup. This year's decorations, stretching across windows, lampposts, and trees, mark the 20th anniversary of his unique tradition, which began in 2006.

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It should be a street for the common man.

Klimmeck's initiative aims to create a "street for the common man," offering a taste of the World Cup atmosphere for those unable or unwilling to travel to the host countries. This sentiment resonates particularly this year, with the tournament taking place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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This is how it should be, always support, support the country, support the best team.

The street buzzed with excitement following Germany's recent 7-1 victory over Curaçao. Cars honked as they passed through the decorated neighborhood, with one driver exclaiming, "This is how it should be, always support, support the country, support the best team."

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The Ivory Coast will naturally approach it with a different intensity.

However, amidst the celebrations, Klimmeck maintains a realistic outlook. He noted that the German team's defense needs to prepare for more challenging opponents, specifically mentioning the Ivory Coast. "The Ivory Coast will naturally approach it with a different intensity," he said. Despite these concerns, he emphasized the importance of the team's recent win and the backing of German fans, stating, "84 million are behind them. And we want that, don't we?"

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84 million are behind them. And we want that, don't we?