A new concept of a summer fairy tale is introduced.
The UEFA European Championship in Germany is about to start, and it's more than just a sports event. It's also a significant moment politically for the country.
A small stretch of road, about 1.7 kilometers long, has caused frustration for Jens Spahn. Due to the championship, cars are not allowed on Straße des 17. Juni in Berlin, near the government quarter. It could affect the parliament's work, Spahn warned last week. Previously, this route was used by tour buses between Brandenburger Tor and Siegessäule. It's now transformed into 24,000 square meters of artificial turf. During the 2006 World Cup, it was the site of the "Summer Fairy Tale." And it will be the fan mile again.
The wait is over, and it's all about football now. Anticipation has been building for weeks, but convincing fans hasn't been entirely successful. Thomas Müller's paper smile greets you when you buy tomatoes, and black-red-golden flags are hanging from car mirrors. Like many fans, you might have a problem if you've been drinking alcohol every time you hear or write the phrase "Summer Fairy Tale."
At last, the tournament begins. No more speeches, no more anticipation: the UEFA showcases a huge pyro show at the Munich Football Arena. Heidi Beckenbauer, the wife of Brazilian soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, brings out the trophy. It's time for the UEFA European Championship in Germany to begin! The Germany team plays against Scotland in their first mandatory match since the World Cup in Qatar. (9 p.m./ZDF, MagentaTV, and in the ntv.de liveticker)
A championship of superlatives
From July 14 to August 14, it will be "United by football. United in the heart of Europe." This championship is expected to be one of the greatest: after the World Cup in Russia in 2018, the Euros in 2021, and the Desert Cup in Qatar in 2022, it could be the first classical tournament since 2016 in France. There will be 51 matches in total.
Germany faces a significant challenge. The home EM is supposed to be the "climate-friendliest European Championship of all time," as Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz put it. The struggling corporation has a huge task: no team is allowed to travel by plane; millions of fans need to be moved across the country. The network is already under strain, and the extra load strains an aging infrastructure. Only after the tournament starts can a major overhaul take place.
The expectations for the tournament are immense, sometimes even exaggerated. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expects it to be a "peace festival." Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes for a "home game for Europe." Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck told "Kicker" that the country needed "four wonderful weeks." "The tournament takes place at a time when economically, we have to say that we still have many challenges, but we've managed to handle the biggest, existential challenges of the last two years."
The driving force behind this vision is EM Tournament Director Philipp Lahm. He's pushing for a change in German football. Lahm wrote in "Kicker" that it's "time for a change in German football. And in society." This tournament should be a "turning point": "For Europe, for society, for all of us. This tournament is a call for solidarity and care as well as for the strengthening of the European idea, so that we can better cope with crises and conflicts in the future."
A special opportunity
The goal is to bring back the atmosphere of 2006, when Germany hosted the Football World Cup. This event has a special place in the country's memory. It was the "Summer Fairy Tale," with the world as a guest among friends. In those four weeks, Germany surprised itself with its hospitality, as the story goes.
"I was a teenager, I sat in Gelsenkirchen for hours with my school friends at the Public Viewing and was fascinated by how so many people from so many different countries could be happy together," said captain Ilkay Gündogan in an interview with "Spiegel". "This atmosphere gave me a whole new feeling for Germany." Toni Kroos also spoke about his fascination with the event, saying he was "feverish." "It's our goal to unlock something with our football, with our results."
The last 18 years have brought significant changes to the world. The corona pandemic, Russia's attack on Ukraine, and climate catastrophe are only a few examples. Germany too has been impacted by these events. Just before the tournament, 16% of Europeans voted for the AfD, a party known for its right-wing extremist leanings. In the lead-up to autumn state elections, it topped the polls in affected states. A few weeks ago, people on Sylt were heard shouting racist slogans while celebrating with champagne. This was far from the only occurrence.
A documentary by journalist Philipp Awounou, titled "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit," aired on ARD before the Home-EM. It focused on the German national team, the "Summer Fairy Tale," and racism. While the survey conducted as part of the film remained unchanged, it was the question itself that ignited anger. 20% of Germans stated that they wanted a "whiter" German national team. The outrage wasn't over the exposure of racism, but rather the question itself.
The European elections, state elections, Sylt videos, and survey all raise questions. Can we really wear black-red-gold flower garlands around our necks without considering the current climate? Perhaps it's idealistic to use 2006 as a model for the upcoming four weeks. The world has changed significantly from what it was almost 20 years ago. A report also cautioned about the "party patriotism" from that time, citing severe consequences.
"A new reality"
Despite the challenges, there is hope that must not be ignored. Major events often create their own dynamics, at least temporarily. They can bring people closer together. Maybe, during the Public Viewing, we'll see our neighbors are not as hostile as they appear. Perhaps parents will encourage their children to join football clubs after the tournament, hoping to be as talented as Jamal Musiala or Florian Wirtz.
But it sounds corny: This DFB team led by national coach Julian Nagelsmann could also change perceptions. They wear pink away kits not only for marketing purposes, but also as a symbol of diversity. The captain of the team has a migration background. He didn't emphasize this much, Gündoğan said in an interview with "Spiegel," but he acknowledged, "I know that people like me are needed in leadership positions because it reflects the new reality in Germany. We may look different, but we're also German. I understand that I can be a role model." The composition of the team and how it is treated, particularly in case of defeat, will play a crucial role in fostering hope for a wonderful month of football and cheerful spirits.
Who knows, maybe the incredible miracle occurs and the railways function flawlessly for the entire four weeks. In that case, Jens Spahn would no longer need his car.
