GERMANY’S Euro 2024 clash against Denmark was halted due to lightening and a heavy downpour.
A huge thunderstorm hit Dortmund after an extreme weather warning was issued yesterday.
English referee Michael Oliver kept play going for five minutes before suspending the last-16 match with 36 minutes on the clock.
German and Danish players appealed it was not safe to continue as hailstones then bounced off the pitch.
The drenched English official eventually blew his whistle and signalled that the game was suspended.
Oliver ushered the teams off the field and the stars briefly took shelter in the dugout.
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They were then told to go to their dressing rooms and wait for the rain to ease.
The stadium announcer then read out a message to supporters, saying: “Due to adverse weather conditions the match has been suspended. Further information will follow shortly.”
And the rain continued to pour down for another 15 minutes as fans took cover in the concourses.
However, some braved the adverse conditions and were spotted singing in the rain with their tops off.
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Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to not have the game called off, stadium staff tried to sweep rain off the side of the sidelines.
Fortunately, the weather eased and the match continued after a 24 minute delay in total.
Players then reappeared to complete the first-half, with Uefa protocol allowed them five minutes to warm-up.
The game was restarted with a drop ball to Germany.
VAR controversy also overshadowed the match, which the hosts eventually won 2-0 via goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
Yesterday, German meteorologist Dominik Jung warned: “From Saturday evening and into the night on Sunday, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms from the south west and west to the middle of Germany.
“These could bring extremely heavy rain, with amounts of between 40 and 80 litres per square meter within a few hours.
“Large hail with a diameter of around 3 cm is also expected, as are strong storm or hurricane gusts with speeds of between 100 and 140 km/h.
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“Tornadoes cannot be ruled out either.”
It is the second time a huge downpour has hit Dortmund at Euro 2024 after heavy rain fell prior to the Turkey vs Georgia group stage clash.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
