Around 62,000 people watched Inter Milan beat Real Madrid at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Julia Flynn Siler
Around 62,000 people watched Inter Milan beat Real Madrid at Cal Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Julia Flynn Siler

Soccer mania hit Berkeley on Saturday when Real Madrid played Inter Milan at Cal Memorial Stadium, in a game that drew more than 62,000 spectators. Inter Milan and Real Madrid tied 1-1. Then, after regulation time, Inter Milan won 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

The game practically paralyzed the streets of Berkeley as fans tried to make their way to the stadium. Traffic came to a standstill all over town on major arteries like College, Claremont, Ashby and University avenues.

Still, people were thrilled to watch these two professional soccer teams compete, even if many of the top players did not participate.

Crowds gathered early to for members of Real Madrid to leave the Hotel Shattuck Plaza. Photo: Ted Friedman
Crowds gathered early to watch members of Real Madrid leave the Hotel Shattuck Plaza. Photo: Ted Friedman
Crowds gathered early to watch members of Real Madrid leave the Hotel Shattuck Plaza. Photo: Ted Friedman
Fans lined the streets of Berkeley. Photo: Ted Friedman
Fans lined the streets of Berkeley. Photo: Ted Friedman
Members of Real Madrid exit Hotel Shattuck Plaza. Photo: Ted Friedman
Members of Real Madrid exit Hotel Shattuck Plaza. Photo: Ted Friedman
The traffic on many streets was bumper to bumper, including on Ashby and Claremont Avenues. Residents reported that fans parked two miles away from the stadium and walked to avoid the traffic jams. Photo: Ted Friedman
The traffic on many streets was bumper to bumper, including on Ashby and Claremont avenues. Residents reported that fans parked 2 miles away from the stadium and walked to avoid the traffic jams. Photo: Ted Friedman
The traffic on many streets was bumper to bumper, including on Ashby and Claremont avenues. Residents reported that fans parked 2 miles away from the stadium and walked to avoid the traffic jams. Photo: Ted Friedman
This restaurant was so overwhelmed by the crowds that it shut its doors. Photo: Ted Friedman
A restaurant so overwhelmed by crowds that it shut its doors. Photo: Ted Friedman
A restaurant so overwhelmed by crowds that it shut its doors. Photo: Ted Friedman
The view was great from Tightwad Hill. Photo: Ted Friedman
The view was great from Charter (“Tightwad”) Hill. Photo: Ted Friedman
The view was great from Charter (“Tightwad”) Hill. Photo: Ted Friedman
The game begins. Photo: Ted Friedman
The game begins. Photo: Ted Friedman
Soccer mania hit Berkeley on Saturday when Real Madrid played Inter Milan at Cal Memorial Stadium. Photo: Siciliana Trevino
Soccer mania hit Berkeley on Saturday when Real Madrid played Inter Milan at Cal Memorial Stadium. Photo: Siciliana Trevino
Crowds flow down Bancroft Avenue after the soccer game. Photo: Siciliana Trevino
Crowds flow down Bancroft Avenue after the soccer game. Photo: Siciliana Trevino

Watch a video by Real Madrid of Gareth Bale’s day:

YouTube video

Watch 60,000 fans doing “the wave” in Cal Memorial stadium (be ready to mute it; it’s loud):

Real Madrid and Inter Milan, penalty kicks at UC Berkeley:

Related:
Traffic delays expected in Berkeley with soccer game (07.25.14)
With big soccer game approaching, Cal addresses impacts  (07.18.14)
Real Madrid to play Inter Milan (on grass!) in Berkeley (05.13.04)

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Frances Dinkelspiel, Berkeleyside and CItyside co-founder, is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, published in November...