As many as 800,000 football fans gathered Saturday in the center of Berlin to watch the live broadcasting of the World Cup knockout opener which Germany beat Sweden 2-0 in Munich.

Tens of thousands of fans gathered in front of six big TV screens along the June 17 Boulevard on the Brandenburg Gate's western side.

"Deutschland, Deutschland," the voice from the grand speakers echoed with those from the jubilant audience on the June 17 Boulevard when Lukas Podolski scored one four minutes into the match.

Police closed traffic within the 2.5-kilometers stretch from Brandenburg Gate to Siegessaule or the Victory Monument.

The black-red-yellow flags, Germany's national flag, are everywhere. When the match ended, the June 17 Boulevard turned into a sea of flags.

For most fans, the match has gone beyond of football. David Schneider, with his face painted black-red-yellow, told Xinhua: "I love football, but I love Germany more. I came because Germany plays today."

"We did not want to express our patriotism because of our shameful past, but like citizens of other countries, we love our country," said Schneider.

"The Nazi crimes have nothing to do with me. Now it is time to make friends and time to love our country," he added.

Schneider said that he believed Germany will enter the final match and has a chance to win the championship.

Germany will face the winner of the Argentina-Mexico tie in the quarter-finals.

Source: Xinhua