Gelsenkirchen bids farewell to the European Football Championships
In the worker city of Gelsenkirchen, four matches of the UEFA European Football Championship take place. At the beginning, not everything runs smoothly, with mockery coming from England. However, the hometown of FC Schalke 04 manages to pull itself out of the starting difficulties and leaves the tournament with a positive attitude.
Despite initial disturbances and transportation problems, as well as disrespect from foreign football fans, the city of Gelsenkirchen drew a positive balance after the fourth and last EM-match in the arena. All parties involved "worked around the clock and did everything to prepare unforgettable football festivities for the European and world guests," explained Mayor Karin Welge. In her clear opinion, the 1600 volunteers were the "friendly face of the city" for the total of 370,000 visitors.
Welge also praised the joint damage management of authorities and emergency services after the first EM-match in the Schalke arena between England and Serbia. "At such a major event, not everything can run smoothly from the start. But we quickly identified the problems and immediately countered them," the administrative chief stated. Her deputy Luidger Wolterhoff also evaluated the improvements as a success. "All measures have taken effect and ensured a smooth course for the three further matches," thought the city director.
Around the match between England and Serbs, initial riots by fans of the Balkan team, as well as insufficient transportation means for the fans of the second-league team Schalke 04, caused negative headlines. Disappointed British fans also labeled the city as a "filthy hole" in social media in comparison to other EM host cities. In addition to the group stage matches, Spain, title defenders Italy, Portugal, and Georgia faced each other in Gelsenkirchen, and England and the Slovakia met again in the round of 16.
UEFA Euro bureau chief Wilhelm Weßels reported as an addition to the balance that there were only "20 interventions of the municipal order service and fire department with EURO reference." In comparison to the many guests, these "percentage figures" were insignificant. According to Weßels, the local fans and supporters of the seven teams consumed 63,000 liters of beer during the Gelsenkirchen European Championship days.
In the aftermath of the European Football Championship 2024, Gelsenkirchen, home to FC Schalke 04, was praised for its preparations. Despite initial challenges with England's fans, the city delivered unforgettable soccer festivities during the tournament. England, among other teams, played several matches in Gelsenkirchen, including a group stage game against Serbia and a round of 16 encounter against Slovakia.
