Germany has never lost in Dortmund. Italy has never lost to Germany in a competitive match. Something has to give here in one of Europe's finest stadiums in the first semifinal of Germany '06.

Here's a taste of the atmophere as I made my way to the stadium from the train station a couple hours ago.

The foot traffic from the station to the city's central square is intense.

You make your way under a billboard that shows what the Westfalenstadion looks like when Borussia Dortmund have a home match in the Bundesliga.

Many fans are already in a festive mood

Apparently these guys are "native" Germans.

And finally, before heading to the media shuttle, I paid 10 euros for a momento of the day.