Germany v Denmark clash delayed for 24 minutes by thunder and lightning
English referee Michael Oliver took the players off the pitch in Dortmund.
Germany’s Euro 2024 knockout tie with Denmark suffered a 24-minute delay due to thunder and lightning in Dortmund.
English referee Michael Oliver suspended the round-of-16 tie, which was scoreless, after 35 minutes before the weather relented.
![A message on a big screen at the stadium tells fans the match has been suspended](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/9a86816357f40c7b5d546f8dacd0f53aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5Nzc3NDAz/2.76695984.jpg?w=640)
As torrential rain fell at the Westfalenstadion, both sets of players stood at the edge of the pitch for a few moments before being led into the dressing rooms.
The round-of-16 tie began in good weather, but conditions changed as the contest went past the half-hour mark.
![Rain falls from the top of a stand at the Westfalenstadion](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/1398ce794394d89e6e2243276f5e452fY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5Nzc5MTQ1/2.76696073.jpg?w=640)
Loud thunder bangs, lightning, heavy rain and hailstones arrived as both sets of supporters tried to protect themselves under makeshift covers.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking on ITV, said: “I’m surprised it took it that long to get them off actually because there’s been some pretty nasty incidents with it.”
![Fans feel the full force of the heavy rainfall during the suspension of play](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/437c31921bbf4e4ff92cdc040f2a9bc0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5Nzc5MjA3/2.76696097.jpg?w=640)
The rain eventually relented and the players returned for a five-minute warm-up before the action got underway again.