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Red-hot support keeps cold at bay
The temperatures are as freezing as the ice-cold steins of German beer keeping Pompey fans refreshed.
While the last foreign foray of Pompey's European adventure saw fans strip off in balmy Portugal, this time round woolly hats and scarves are the uniform of the blue army.
But the fans streaming into Hanover ahead of tonight's all-important match against Vfl Wolfsburg don't mind the cold. They have their dreams of Uefa cup glory to keep them warm.
The city, which lies just under 55 miles east of Wolfsburg, has become base camp for thousands of fans braving the December cold as they anticipate tonight's action.
The atmosphere is as festive as the city centre's traditional market, which offers beer and sausages to hungry supporters from stalls twinkling with Christmas lights.
There are slippers, jewellery and trinkets for sale, but Pompey fans want only one early Christmas present – a win here to keep their European hopes alive.
Wrapped up against the chill, Andrew Shaw, 45, from Whiteley, Fareham, says: 'It is very cold here! It is a totally different atmosphere to Portugal. There is a Christmas feel to things so let's hope the festivities will continue.
'We are going to have some nice German food and a hot drink to warm us up!'
His brother, Colin Shaw, 51, from Titchfield Common, added: 'We arrived this morning and thought there might be snow. We have done the hot in Portugal and now we have done the cold in Germany.'
Soon after arriving Pompey fans began to explore the city and quickly stumbled upon the traditional Christmas market.
One set of fans escaped the cold wind howling through the streets yesterday and headed into the Pils-Stube Eingang pub.
Sitting at the bar sipping a beer Carl Smith, 20, from Leigh Park said: 'I never thought I would see Pompey playing all over Europe. I just want to make the most of it now.
'It is great here, everybody is really friendly.'
Paul Quick, 24, also from Leigh Park, added: 'It's warming up nicely. I'm looking forward to more fans getting here and we should have a great time.'
Fans wandered around the city centre soaking up some of the picturesque scenery which looked as if it could have come straight from a Christmas card.
Adrian Maloret, 39, a Pompey fan from Southsea, said: 'It's a great place, very friendly, but much colder than in Portsmouth. We are looking forward to some beer and sausages now.'
His friend, Matty Lamb, 40, from Eastney, said: 'We went for a walk around the Hanover football stadium and have just been taking in some of the sights.'
Jim Harris and his mates were also busy soaking up the festive atmosphere in Germany after arriving on a flight from Southampton Airport yesterday morning.
Jim, 34, from Cosham, Portsmouth, said: 'It's going to be a tough game but I think we will win, with Diarra getting one.
'It's a special day for me, as this is the first game I have been to in Europe and I have been following Pompey for years. Sometimes I can't believe we are where we are.'
Mick Crennell, 43, from Cowplain, added: 'It's fantastic here. For Hanover, Wolfsburg are how Southampton are to us so everybody here is really friendly and wants us to win!'
Russell McCarthy, 42, from Farlington, Portsmouth, said: 'It's actually warmer than I thought it might be.
'We have come so far, to be competing with the likes of AC Milan. I think we will do it, 2-1 to Pompey. It is a tough game but we need to win.'
An electric atmosphere is expected to fill the VW Arena tonight – especially after the draw with Italian giants AC Milan last week.
Nigel Tressider, chairman of the Portsmouth Supporters Club, is out in Germany. 'It will be a fantastic atmosphere in Wolfsburg,' he said.
'I think there will be plenty of singing and good fun and hopefully there won't be any trouble. Pompey are a big name in football these days.'
Steve Wemyss, Portsmouth City Council's Conservative leader, has travelled out to Germany to watch the Blues play, and is staying in Wolfsburg.
He said: 'It's cold, there's snow on the ground but there's a glow in our hearts and we are going to give the lads some real support.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
