Panda plush toys were held high above heads, black-and-white scarves waved through the crowd, and the stands behind the goal were packed with fans as flags fluttered in the wind. On the afternoon of Sept. 13 local time, in Elversberg, southwestern Germany, a Bundesliga match took on an added layer of connection from 8,000 kilometers away, thanks to these familiar sights.

On that day, Bundesliga newcomers SV Elversberg hosted Bayern Munich at home. Beyond the match itself — from the "Chengdu Booth" outside the stadium to panda plush toys in the stands and Chengdu elements captured by broadcast cameras — the invitation extended days earlier from the hometown of giant pandas found a tangible response and connection on this matchday.

Even before kickoff, pandas had become the most eye-catching feature outside the venue.

Outside the fan shop, the team mascot Paul and the "Chengdu Pandas" brought by reporters drew numerous fans who stopped for photos. Some wore home-team jerseys, while others sported panda hats. Reporters set up a "Chengdu Booth", screening a German-language promotional video about Chengdu and cheering videos featuring fans from both cities. Young fans were particularly fond of the panda gifts, and upon learning that Chengdu is the hometown of giant pandas, some children expressed a desire to visit the city.

Local fan Santino Marrali was visibly moved after watching the videos. "It's truly wonderful that you've traveled so far from Paul's hometown to support the team," he said. He noted that it was touching for a small-town club to receive attention from distant China, adding, "I would like to extend my sincerest greetings to fans in China and Chengdu. I hope to visit Chengdu someday; the panda has already become a bridge of friendship between us."

This sentiment perfectly echoed a scene from Chengdu just days earlier: at Eastern Suburb Memory, Chengdu fans had invited Elversberg players and supporters via camera to visit the hometown of giant pandas. Now, with the video played on-site, the invitation from the other side of the lens finally received its answer.

As kickoff approached, panda-themed elements extended into the stadium. The big screen lit up with the message, "Hello, Paul! This is an invitation from Chengdu, the Home of Giant Pandas!" as children waited clutching their plush toys. During halftime, Paul interacted with young fans holding pandas, and plush toys were held aloft throughout the stands.

While fans at the venue enjoyed the panda displays, viewers in China, thousands of kilometers away, also noticed these special elements via the broadcast. Before the match, Bundesliga expert Zhang Li provided a dedicated introduction to the story connecting Elversberg and pandas. He observed that while the team's two consecutive wins at the start of the season had drawn attention, the choice of a panda as mascot was particularly unique. He shared a preview on social media: "Sunday's match will feature many panda elements, marking a dreamlike collaboration between Chengdu and Elversberg."

Throughout the matchday, Paul, the plush toys in children's hands, stand decorations, and the big-screen invitation repeatedly appeared on camera. Zhang Li also highlighted this connection during his commentary: "For Chinese audiences, this Bundesliga match in a small German town has garnered significant attention due to a familiar Chinese element — the panda." This also explains why the mascot has become a topic of exchange between the two locations. Elversberg originally chose Paul the Panda because the team's representative black-and-white colors align with those of the animal. Photographer Ralf Hasselberg added, "Pandas may appear gentle and clumsy, but they are bears after all — possessing strength that reflects the team's character."

Having risen from lower divisions to the Bundesliga, locals have embraced the association between Paul and the team. Staff members noted that panda-themed elements have boosted interest in merchandise, even leading to the formation of a fan group named "Panda." During the match against Bayern, Paul and the Chengdu "pandas" appeared simultaneously, creating a natural link between the club's internal mascot culture and the hometown of giant pandas 8,000 kilometers away.

Facing a formidable Bayern side, Elversberg conceded in the first half, yet the vocal support from the stands never waned. In the 61st minute, Krattenmacher received a pass and struck from the left edge of the penalty arc, curling a spectacular shot into the top corner to equalize. At that moment, the stands erupted; fans rose to their feet, black-and-white flags waved vigorously, and children held their plush toys high. Paul stood out as a prominent figure amid the celebrating crowd.

After 90 minutes, Elversberg fell 1-2 to Bayern. When the final whistle blew, the players did not leave immediately. Paul entered the pitch to high-five the squad before heading toward the stands to thank the supporters. Black-and-white panda flags remained unfurled as fans applauded. The panda, dubbed the "12th man," accompanied the players as they completed their final acknowledgments to the crowd.

Outside the stadium, images of Paul were ubiquitous. When Chengdu came up in conversation, local fans asked curiously, "What is the real hometown of giant pandas like?" For many fans, visiting the hometown of giant pandas to see the animals after watching Bundesliga matches has now become a new aspiration.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】