"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

2024-06-12 09:38:00, Blog CNA

Who are the main favorites in this European Championship?

England, the current European runners-up, have the best rating in the betting for this European Football Championship. Then comes France and Germany, which is the host of the EC. Italy, as the defending champions, is only in sixth place in terms of betting odds. And if we believe the bookmakers in Germany, among the teams that have the least chance of winning are Albania, Slovakia and Georgia, who are participating for the first time in the spectacle of the best European national teams. Croatia is ninth in the list of favourites, while Serbia is seen in betting at position number 14.

"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

Whereas if we look at the current FIFA ranking of the best national teams in the world, the title would have to be won by France, which is in second position in this ranking, right behind the world champions from Argentina. Belgium is in third place in the FIFA list, England in 4th position, while Portugal is ranked 6th. Germany is in 16th place among the best national teams in the world, so the ninth best team from Europe. In the world ranking of all countries participating in "EURO 2024", the debutants from Georgia have the worst position - in the 75th position.

How is the tournament played?

"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

It is the same mode as in the last European Championship, which was held in 2021, in eleven countries. At that time, 24 national teams participated in the tournament. First, the group competition stage is played, in six groups of four teams. The first and second teams, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will qualify for the round of 16. From this moment, the "knockout system" begins - to advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The system is very simple: The winner continues the competition, the loser goes home. If after the regular 90 minutes the result in this phase of the competition is equal, extra time will be played (2x15 minutes). And if there is no winner even after extra time, the decision is taken from the penalty spot - so the winner is determined by penalty kicks. The championship opens on June 14, while the final is scheduled for July 14 in Berlin, at the Olympic Stadium.

Where are the matches held?

"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

The matches (51 throughout the tournament) are played in ten stadiums in Germany. The most matches will take place on the field of the Olympic Stadium (capacity 71,000 seats) in Berlin, in the Munich Arena (66,000) and in the stadium of Dortmund (over 80,000 seats) - six matches of EURO 2024 will be played there. Berlin will the final, a quarter-final and four more matches to be played. EURO 2024 will open on June 14 in Munich, where Germany and the Scottish national team will face each other.

Five matches are played in stadiums in Stuttgart (51,000), Hamburg (49,000), Düsseldorf (47,000), Frankfurt (47,000) and Cologne (43,000), while four in Leipzig (40,000) and Gelsenkirchen (50,000).

Where can the matches be watched (outside the stadium)?

"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

Under the motto "EURO 2024 Festival" so-called fan-zones will be organized in all the cities where the matches are played, i.e. the places where the matches played in EURO 2024 will be shown on big screens around the city. All public viewings are free, but capacity is limited.As during the World Cup in 2006, tens of thousands of football fans are expected in places such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Olympic Park in Munich or in Frankfurt and other cities.

What is the security situation?

"EC security in football is one of the most important issues in Germany," says Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. "In all the cities where the matches are played, i.e. wherever there will be a lot of people, the police will significantly increase their presence". During the tournament, temporary border controls are planned. they want to prevent terrorists and hooligans from entering the country.During the tour in Germany, the British government will stop a large number of fans (about 1,600 of them) who are ready for violence.

"EURO 2024": Some facts about the European Championship in Germany

The federal police, which is responsible for the implementation of border controls, has already announced that during EURO 2024, police officers will not be able to take annual vacations, around 22 thousand officers will be on the ground every day across the country. They will also be supported by several hundred colleagues from abroad. Cooperation with the French security apparatus is particularly close - due to the fact that after the EC in football, two major sports events are held in Paris: first the Olympic Games (26.7.-11.8.) and then the Paralympic Games (28.8. - 8.9).

The security situation, i.e. potential threats to public safety, will be analyzed every day, the Federal Ministry of Police announced. However, despite all the planned security measures, no one can completely exclude the possibility of terrorist attacks or some other violent actions. And this was also seen in the autumn of 2023 - when an Islamic terrorist killed two Swedish football fans in Brussels. That evening, a qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden was played in the capital of Belgium to qualify for EURO 2024. That's why extra care is required during these events./ DW