HOUSTON — Fans arriving early Sunday morning for the World Cup opening match between Germany and Curacao got an unwelcome surprise when a sudden storm drenched the area around the stadium, sending supporters rushing to find rain gear — and for some, something cold to drink.
The unexpected downpour left many fans caught off guard, triggering a rush to a store located just across from the stadium. Umbrellas and raincoats flew off the shelves as supplies quickly ran low.
Caroline Sluys, who made the trip to Houston from Curacao with her son specifically for the game, was among those making a stop at the store. “We are here getting a raincoat and an umbrella for the rain,” she said. “It is not going to dampen our spirits. We are going to be yelling and screaming because it’s the first time Curacao has made it to the World Cup.”
Fans who were local to the area appeared more accustomed to the region’s unpredictable weather and arrived better prepared. However, the sudden heavy rain still managed to catch a number of out-of-town visitors off guard. Those who made it inside the stadium found some relief in the covered seating sections.
Not everyone was worried about getting wet, though. Some early arrivals said their main concern was tracking down a cold beer before stadium vendors had even opened for business.
Leon Baucke, a Munich resident who traveled to the game with a group of friends, summed up his group’s priorities simply: “We don’t have any rain gear. We are looking for beer. We are used to it because the weather isn’t great in Germany.”
