Who will be European champion? How do I get into the stadium? Or at least see one or two of the stars? Questions and answers about the football event of the summer.
The countdown has begun. On June 14, hosts Germany and Scotland will open the European Football Championship in Munich.
Who are the biggest stars? How can I still get a ticket? Will the European Championship be another summer fairytale like in 2006? Here are answers to important questions just before the tournament starts.
Who will be European champion?
If you ask who the favorites are for the title, France will often be one of the answers. The squad of the 2018 world champions is excellent in terms of breadth and depth. The same applies to Portugal, which is still led by the experienced Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years old) and Pepe (41). Germany should not be underestimated either, if only because of the home advantage. If the DFB selection gets off to a promising start, the positive mood can carry them through the tournament. Other favorites: England, Italy or Spain.
Who are the stars of the tournament? Who is missing?
If you look at the favorites, you will quickly find some of the exceptional footballers of this tournament. France’s megastar Kylian Mbappé, for example, and the eternal Ronaldo for Portugal. Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne and the Englishman Harry Kane can also decide games on their own. And then there is the Spaniard Rodri and the old masters Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala in the German jersey. Among others, the Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is not there, although the star goalkeeper from Real Madrid has been fit again after his injury for some time. The same applies to Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels, who are not in the German squad. Exceptional striker Erling Haaland will also be missing, as Norway did not qualify for the European Championship.
How do I see the stars?
It won’t be easy for autograph or selfie hunters. As things stand, there will probably only be a few public training sessions. The team quarters are spread across the country – most of the associations are based in the west, where most of the venues have been selected. Very few teams are actually based centrally; the Swiss are setting up their quarters in Stuttgart, the Austrians in Berlin. Some associations open their gates to fans at the first training session after their arrival in Germany, but then continue to practice largely in secret. “We want to show closeness, but we also need the necessary space to prepare,” explained national coach Julian Nagelsmann when nominating his squad.
What are the highlights of the preliminary round?
From a German perspective, of course, the first three matches are against Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland. Otherwise, there are some big hits right at the start. France, for example, will face the Netherlands in its second game, and there will be several early top duels in the tough group with Spain, Italy and Croatia. Another highlight of the preliminary round: England against Denmark, a repeat of the 2021 European Championship semi-final.
How else can I get tickets?
UEFA put 2.7 million tickets on the market for the matches in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, Dortmund, Cologne, Hamburg, Leipzig, Düsseldorf and Gelsenkirchen – all of them are sold out. You can still search for tickets that are being offered for sale by other fans via a ticket exchange regulated by the association. UEFA has explicitly advised against looking on an unofficial secondary market. Much more expensive hospitality packages are still available. After the end of the group phase, tickets will be offered again for fans of the teams that have qualified for the knockout games.
Can I still find accommodation at the venue?
Many hotels still have rooms available. In most cases, occupancy is higher than at the same time last year, but there is still no real rush. Unlike at the 2006 World Cup, the majority of fans are travelling from Europe and not from all over the world, which means they have more flexibility in their travel planning and may not even be dependent on accommodation. Bookings for the knockout games are also likely to increase again after the group phase. As always, those who book at very short notice usually pay more.
Will it be a fairytale summer like 2006?
Last but not least, the weather and especially the start of the German team are likely to influence how quickly and how much euphoria develops – whether in people’s living rooms at home or at public viewings. All kinds of fan articles in black, red and gold are on offer again, and the party would not fail because of the equipment. But: the time in which the 2006 World Cup took place was different compared to the present. Geopolitical crises and wars, the consequences of the corona pandemic, the strengthening of anti-democratic forces in many EU countries, the economic downturn – rarely has a major sporting event in Germany taken place in such a difficult setting. “A little relief from a major football event is urgently needed,” social psychologist Dagmar Schediwy told the German Press Agency.
Flags on the car? Okay – or not?
In the summer of 2006, the car convoys with flags on their side mirrors were also seen as an expression of a new German cheerfulness. But Schediwy warns: Unlike at the 2006 World Cup, today it is not just football fans who walk through the streets with black, red and gold flags, but also right-wing movements and parties. “Appeals to express one’s national feelings in a relaxed manner” are “perhaps no longer so appropriate”. Schediwy surveyed Germany fans on fan miles at the 2006 World Cup, the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup and published her results in the book “Completely relaxed in black, red and gold?” in 2012.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
