Intense Hailstorm Disrupts Nations League Semi-final: Footage from Allianz Arena reveals spectators hurriedly leaving
Allianz Arena Chaos: Hailstorm Hits Munich Semi-Final
In an unprecedented turn of events, a sudden hailstorm hit Munich's Allianz Arena just before the kick-off of the Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal. Here's a glimpse into the wild scene unfolding in the stadium.
A Blizzard of Hailstones: Players Huddle in Jackets
As darkness descended, the skies over the Allianz Arena turned ominous. A hailstorm began to pummel the stadium around 8 pm, as captured by football channel fussballer_welt on YouTube. The camera shows a few players on the pitch near the end of their warm-ups, frantically covered by jackets. Two stewards try to shield themselves with red rain ponchos, while a cameraman attempts to safeguard his equipment and make a swift retreat.
Full Panic Mode: Fans Seek Shelter
The footage then pans to the ground, revealing a deluge of hailstones. Fans are seen scrambling over seats to find shelter, some screaming and cursing as their rain protection proves inadequate. Meanwhile, the players rush to the locker rooms, abandoning their pre-match routines. The pitch transforms into a field of white as hailstones cover every surface.
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Defying the Weather: Fans weather the storm
A spectator records the chaos from a higher balcony in the arena, as seen in a TikTok post by user KBayler. The sky is pitch black, and the rain and hail pour down relentlessly. Most fans rush to find cover near their seats, while a few hardy souls take defensive positions under umbrellas, soaking through their clothes.
As the storm rages on for almost half an hour, the hailstones gradually cease, and the sky starts to clear. Fans sigh with relief and anticipation as the match is pushed back by 10 minutes and finally begins at 9 pm.
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Despite the chaos caused by the hailstorm, some fans remained resilient, huddled under umbrellas in an attempt to weather the storm at the Allianz Arena. In the European football leagues, the weather proved a challenging opponent, disrupting the pre-match routines of the athletes. As the hailstones gradually ceased and the sky began to clear, the highly anticipated Champions League semi-final between Germany and Portugal was finally underway.
