Three years after a version disturbed by the “Covid-19” pandemic and hosted by 11 cities in 11 countries on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of its launch, Germany will host the European Football Cup between June 14 and July 14, where it, along with France and England, tops the list of candidates to win the title.
In the midst of the pandemic, the summer 2021 matches were held with stadium capacity that varied from one city to another, but this time there is no place for restrictions in light of expectations of 2.7 million fans attending the 51 matches that conclude with the Henri Delauney Cup final at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
While Germany, which opens the tournament on Friday against Scotland in Munich, hopes to relive the “summer fantasy story” of 2006, when it reached the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil, it is busy taking strict security measures as part of its effort to maintain the safety and security of fans and players.
From hooligans known as “Hooligans,” to potential terrorist attacks and even cyberattacks, the organizers of the continental tournament are looking to contain and eliminate threats. Security forces will be tasked with protecting 24 national team camps spread across the country, in addition to securing the ten stadiums.
The fan zones are also expected to attract approximately 12 million visitors during the continental event.
Mathematically, England and France top the list of favourites, followed by host Germany, then Portugal and Spain.
The English, who were drawn into a group that includes Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia, are counting on the striking attacking trio of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. England bears the burden of having never won the European Cup in its history, and after the painful loss on penalties at the hands of Italy in the 2021 final at Wembley Stadium, it fell. Coach Gareth Southgate’s team is in the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup with difficulty against France.
- Mbappé in a new uniform
On the other hand, Kylian Mbappé, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, hopes to win his first continental title after winning the 2018 World Cup with France and taking second place in 2022. The Roosters are in a difficult group that includes the Netherlands, Poland and Austria.
As for Germany, the four-time world champion, which exited the last two editions of the World Cup in the group stage, it is looking to disturb the atmosphere under the leadership of young coach Julian Nagelsmann, who aims to give the host country a record fourth continental title, the first in 28 years. As for Italy, the defending champion and survivor of the qualifiers after missing the last two editions of the World Cup, it fell into the most difficult group alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania.
In Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo considers the national team “the love of his life,” noting that continuing to play at this level at the age of 39 is a “gift.” The Saudi Al-Nasr striker prepared for the continental championship by scoring a brace in the match in which Portugal beat Ireland 3-0 in a friendly match. Tuesday, strengthening his record for the number of international goals after raising it to 130 goals.
He said, “I know that I do not have many years left in my career,” adding, “It is a gift to play year after year after the age of 35. I am now 39 years old and every year is about enjoying myself.” Registering for the national team is special. “The national team is the love of my life, and winning the European Cup would be a dream.”
Ronaldo played his first match with the European Seleção in 2003 and won the European Cup in 2016.