Tournament director Philipp Lahm sees the 2024 home European Championship as a great opportunity for football in Germany.
“I would say we have a huge opportunity to improve something,” said the former international to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”.
In this way, the European Championship could help to strengthen voluntary work and the basis for football in the country. “But of course also in the external image and perception. We want to show and convey ourselves and our European values,” said the 2014 world champion.
Lahm cited the 2006 World Cup summer fairy tale in Germany as a model. This was an “unforgettable time”. “We presented ourselves as great hosts, the weather was outstanding – everything has to be just right,” added the 38-year-old.
The women’s soccer championships in England and the European Championships in Munich in the summer are also positive examples. “People came together there too, exchanged ideas about how people actually want to live together in Europe in times when there is war and democracy is being attacked,” explained Lahm.
The former Bundesliga professional also wants to create a spirit of optimism in times of crisis with the EM. “There has to be a sense of unity again – in Germany, but also in Europe,” said Lahm.