100 days before the European Football Championship in Germany, the federal government started the countdown to what it hoped would be a new “summer fairy tale”.
Olaf Scholz himself rang in the “Summer Fairy Tale” countdown. With the European Championship ball in his hands, his ministers at his side and huge expectations beyond sport, the Chancellor opened the final spurt of preparations on Wednesday (March 6, 2024), 100 days before the home European Championship.
18 years after the 2006 World Cup, football is supposed to provide distraction and enthusiasm in the country in difficult times. And that despite the fact that there are big question marks not only about the performance of the national team.
Burkhard Hupe, Sportschau, March 6, 2024 7:50 a.m
Tournament Director Lahm hopes for a “European festival”
In times of global crises it is “It’s all the nicer to have a major sporting event in Germany that is about community and cohesion”said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is responsible for sport, after the photo session in Berlin on Wednesday. She hopes for one “peaceful event that brings us all together again to some extent”.
The bosses around UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf and tournament director Philipp Lahm also indicated that the motto was “United by Football – United in the heart of Europe“It won’t just be about sport.”A European festival” we want to celebrate, stressed Lahm, one thing, “that strengthens solidarity in Germany and Europe”.
No trace of euphoria yet
Social, political and ecological aspects accompany the preparations for the second European Championship on German soil after 1988. There is hardly any great euphoria in the country so far. In Berlin, perhaps this is also why the federal government did so under the motto “Home game for Europe” again advertising. Scholz, Faeser and Economics Minister Robert Habeck, among others, posed for photos.
Last year Scholz had the European Championship as “very important event” and one “big moment” designated. “This is an event that many are looking forward to.”said the Chancellor: “Many people see the European Championships as a big celebration in Europe. We are excited to make sure everything goes well.”
Interior Minister Faeser: “Safety has the highest priority”
If this plan is to succeed and at least create an atmosphere similar to that at the 2006 World Cup, the framework conditions must be right – for example when it comes to security. This suits her “Most important, she is the highest priority”emphasized Faeser – and promised: “Like the 2006 World Cup, the concept will be a very good one. It will be a peaceful event for the twelve million visitors.“
Safety is also Ceferin’s biggest concern. In his view, a European Championship qualification for Ukraine or Israel via the playoffs at the end of March would further complicate the situation: “My fear is not just about the stadiums, because I’m sure stadiums will be adequately protected. But the fans will be everywhere.”
Völler is hoping for a summer fairy tale 2.0
16,000 volunteers are there to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable. However, organizers expect that transport systems will be at their limit. Ultimately, by the start of the tournament, UEFA will have distributed 2.7 million tickets for the 51 games in ten stadiums worldwide. “There are still a few challenges ahead of us”Lahm admitted on Wednesday.
Not just organizationally. The sporting performance of the DFB team is likely to be largely responsible for the mood in the country. After the messed up tournaments of the past few years, the national team is under special observation. National coach Julian Nagelsmann has less than 100 days left until the opening game in Munich against Scotland.
“I am firmly convinced that we will present ourselves with a mixture of footballing elegance, fighting spirit and will to get the people behind us“said DFB sports director Rudi Völler full of confidence: “We want to ensure great weeks like we did in 2006.”