The opening game of the European Championship for German footballers will take place in Munich on June 14th, exactly 100 days from now. The city has started the countdown – and with it the hope for a second summer fairy tale.
The home European Championship starts in 100 days, and right at the start football is visiting Munich: the German national team will play the opening game against Scotland on June 14th (9 p.m.) in the Allianz Arena. A total of four group games and a round of 16 will be held in Munich.
What has been seen in recent years: Munich can host major events. The city recently hosted the 2022 European Championships or was the location of the 2021 European Football Championship, which was postponed by a year due to the corona pandemic.
“We notice that the tingling sensation is increasing,” said Munich sports mayor Verena Dietl (SPD) on Wednesday at an event 100 days before the start of the major football event in Germany. “We have some experience from previous major sporting events. We are well positioned there, but we always fear until the last moment.”
“European feeling”
In addition to sport, Euro 2024 should also be about European cohesion. As is now common practice at major sporting events, there will once again be a fan zone with many events in the Olympic Park. The aim is to create a “place for European fans to meet”, said the managing director of the Olympic Park, Marion Schöne. They want to create a “European feeling”. “We want a peaceful, beautiful atmosphere.”
Safety is the highest priority
And the federal government has also started the Euro countdown: In Berlin, the cabinet around Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) advertised the tournament on Wednesday at an event under the motto “Home game for Europe”. Scholz and the other government members posed for photos with, among other things, the official European Championship ball. Those responsible have great hopes for the EURO beyond sport.
“Especially in the difficult times we live in, the difficult global political situation, it is all the better to be able to celebrate a major sporting event that is about community and cohesion,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser: “Security is what is most important to me, it has the highest priority. The concept will be a very good one, just like the 2006 World Cup. It will be a peaceful event for the twelve million visitors.”
Final in Berlin
After three failed tournaments, the German national team is all about celebrating successes with national coach Julian Nagelsmann. The home European Championships will be played in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dortmund, Munich, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Stuttgart. The Olympic Stadium in the capital is the dream destination for all 24 participants – the final will be played here on July 14th.
In addition to the European Championship countdown, the hope for a second summer fairy tale after the 2006 World Cup was also heralded: “If the enthusiasm spills over from the players to the spectators and vice versa, that can inspire a team,” said tournament director Philipp Lahm.
Source: BR24Sport on the radio March 6, 2024 – 3:20 p.m
