Interior Minister Strobl eases Football-EM (European Championship)

For five weeks, Stuttgart stood next to other hosting cities in the spotlight of the UEFA European Football Championship. Luckily, unfounded terror concerns preceded it.

, and Elizabeth Wells

2024 July 15 . 2:50 PM

2 min read

The Public Viewing-Zone was in Stuttgart right in the city center. In total, it attracted hundreds... — The Public Viewing-Zone was in Stuttgart right in the city center. In total, it attracted hundreds of thousands, but the gastronomes were rather dissatisfied.

Host City - Interior Minister Strobl eases Football-EM (European Championship)

After terrorist drills and threats from Islamic fanatics, Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl was more than relieved about the largely peaceful course of the UEFA European Championship in the South. "A weight has been lifted off my chest," he said. "Luck plays a role, but that's also part of the luck of the clever."

During the approximately one-month-long EM, about 28,000 law enforcement personnel were deployed, the vast majority in Stuttgart. According to statistics, there were approximately 400 criminal offenses registered nationwide that could be related to the tournament, including theft, assaults, and insults. This is a very low number given the size of the event, said Strobl. There were also 138 car convoys. However, the EM was overshadowed by the death of a motorcycle policeman and several serious injuries from a knife attack in the Fanzone.

Five matches of the UEFA European Championship were held in the past five weeks in Stuttgart, including the German national team's quarter-final on July 5 against the Spanish squad, which ended in a 1:2 loss. Even though no EM matches were held in the state capital, the gates of the Fanzones were open. According to the organizers' own estimates, about 900,000 people attended the so-called Fanzones, including 690,000 during the Public Viewing.

Minister Strobl expressed his relief after the peaceful European Football Championship in Baden-Württemberg, particularly in Stuttgart where the majority of law enforcement personnel were deployed.
Despite the low number of criminal offenses related to the UEFA European Championship, the event was unfortunately overshadowed by a fatal motorcycle incident and knife attacks in the Fanzone.
Throughout the European Championship, Stuttgart hosted five soccer matches, including Germany's quarter-final that ended in a disappointing 1:2 loss against Spain.
Despite the absence of any EM matches in Stuttgart, the city welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans to its Fanzones, providing a hub of happiness and football enthusiasm.
Preparations for the upcoming Football European Championship in various European communes are underway, with security measures and fan celebration plans being carefully thought out to ensure peace and happiness for all.