Soccer - Gelsenkirchen takes positive stock of European Championships despite criticism
Despite initial transport issues and criticism from foreign football fans, the city of Gelsenkirchen drew a positive balance after the fourth and last EM game in the city. "We put on a fantastic tournament and presented ourselves as Gelsenkirchen – open, hearty and hospitable", said Mayor Karin Welge.
Many colleagues from the city, police, fire department and transportation companies worked tirelessly around the clock and did everything to prepare an unforgettable football festival for the European and world guests, emphasized the Mayor and praised the engagement of countless thousands of volunteers.
Quick recognition and countermeasures
The initial difficulties with the kick-off game were quickly addressed. "Of course, everything can't run smoothly from the start at such a large event. But we quickly identified the problems and immediately took countermeasures", said Welge. More trains, tracks and buses were therefore deployed. A total of over 100,000 passengers were transported to the match days.
After the first EM game between Serbia and England, numerous fans criticized the arrival and departure with long waiting times. In addition, the city was labeled as a "ghost town" or "dump" in social media by fans.
Police: Successful football festival
The police, however, drew a positive balance. "It was largely a peaceful and successful football festival in our city during the matches", said the leading police director of Gelsenkirchen, Peter Both. Before the first match, there was a clash between Serbian and English fans in the city.
Apart from the opening game, Spain and defending champions Italy, as well as Portugal and Georgia, faced each other in further group stage encounters in Gelsenkirchen. In the round of 16, England and Slovakia met again.
Karin Welge, the mayor of Gelsenkirchen, expressed her satisfaction with the city's handling of the EM games, praising the efforts of city officials, police, fire department, and transportation companies. Despite initial troubles with the kick-off game, the city successfully addressed issues and increased transportation capacity, accommodating over 100,000 passengers. Following the first game between Serbia and England, some foreign fans criticized the city on social media, labeling it as a "ghost town" or "dump." However, the police, led by Peter Both, considered the football festival in Gelsenkirchen to be largely peaceful and successful, with only minor incidents during the matches. Aside from the opening game, other teams like Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Georgia also played in Gelsenkirchen during the group stages. England once again faced Slovakia in the round of 16, highlighting the city's role as a venue for significant European soccer matches.
