According to his own statement, tournament director Philipp Lahm also wants to use the 2024 European Football Championship in Germany to “foster more cohesion again – in Germany, but also in Europe”.
There are currently “many huge challenges all over the world,” said the 40-year-old at a press conference in Stuttgart, citing the Middle East conflict and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as examples.
Hope for European Championship euphoria from German fans
The tournament next summer offers the opportunity to present Western values, said Lahm. “Democracy, freedom, security and community” are important. Major events such as a European Championship should be used to “come together and ignite a feeling of togetherness,” explained the former captain of the German national team and 2014 world champion.
He also has great hope that the German fans will be euphoric about the European Championship. “When I look at the last two international matches, I can see that we are back on the right track,” said Lahm.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann exudes “a lot of energy”. The DFB team’s 2-1 win in the friendly against France in September under the leadership of Rudi Völler also showed “how quickly such enthusiasm can be reawakened.” As at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the team has to inspire the fans and vice versa.