Star-studded selfies, flags gather support, making DFB the favorite to win.
During the elf Tagen, the German national soccer team will begin the football championship against Scotland. There are 24 teams participating, and all of them have set up their accommodations in the country. Will the stars make an appearance? Here is some interesting information on the entire event.
Which team will win?
If you ask who the contenders for the trophy are, you'll regularly hear France mentioned. The 2018 World Cup champions possess a well-stocked squad in terms of breadth and depth. So does Portugal, still led by the veteran players Cristiano Ronaldo (age 39) and Pepe (41).
The German team shouldn't be undervalued due to their home advantage. If they start strongly, their positive momentum could carry them throughout the tournament. Bundesliga players even believe that the German national team is the favorite for the title. In a "Kicker" survey among professionals, 40% of respondents believed that the DFB team would win the European Championship.
Which stars will shine? Anyone missing?
If you look at the top contenders, you'll soon find some of the exceptional footballers competing in this tournament. For instance, France's megastar Kylian Mbappe and Portugal's eternal Ronaldo. Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne and the Englishman Harry Kane can also decide games on their own. Add to that the Spaniard Rodri and the German players Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala. Missing, for example, is the Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, despite the star goalkeeper of Real Madrid being fit following an injury. There's also the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who did not qualify for the European Championship.
How can I meet the stars?
It won't be easy for autograph or selfie seekers. With the current situation, there will only be a few public training sessions. The team quarters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the western regions where most stadiums are located. The Swiss are setting up camp in Stuttgart, while the Austrians are in Berlin. Some teams open their doors to fans immediately after their arrival, but then proceed with more secretive training sessions. "We want to show our closeness, but we also need sufficient space to prepare," explained German coach Julian Nagelsmann during the squad announcement.
Which matches are the must-sees in the group stage?
Of course, Germany's three games against Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland are a high priority for fans. Other notable matches at the beginning of the competition include France vs. the Netherlands and Spain, Italy, and Croatia, which feature multiple early clashes amongst top teams. Another highlight of the group stage is England against Denmark in the second round, a repeat of the 2021 European Championship semifinal.
Can I still get accommodation in the host city?
The UEFA released 2.7 million tickets for games in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, Dortmund, Cologne, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dusseldorf, and Gelsenkirchen, and they are all sold out. Fans can still search for tickets from other fans on an organized ticket exchange set up by the association. The UEFA discourages searching for tickets on an unofficial secondary market. Hospitality packages with higher costs are still available. After the group stage, more tickets for fans of the qualifying teams will be offered.
Is another joyful summer like 2006 possible?
Few major sporting events have taken place in Germany under such a challenging situation. The weather, the start of the German team, geopolitical crises, wars, Corona pandemic consequences, strengthened anti-democratic forces in many EU countries, and economic downturn make this event unique. "A bit of relief through a football mega-event is urgently needed," said social psychologist Dagmar Schediwy.
How will the car flag decorations be this time? Positive or negative?
In the summer of 2006, caravans with flags on their side mirrors were considered an expression of a newfound German cheerfulness. Schediwy cautions, though; it won't just be football fans displaying black-red-gold flags this time, but also right-wing movements and parties. "Appeals to express your national pride unrestrainedly" might not be "appropriate" anymore. She had interviewed Germany fans during the 2006 World Cup, the 2008 European Championship, and the 2010 World Cup and published her results in the book "Completely relaxed in black-red-gold?" in 2012.
Image(On the left side of the paragraph, a car with flags on its side mirrors is shown.)
Ready, set, go! ⚽️🙌
Let's prepare ourselves for an exciting and memorable European Championship this elf Tagen! 🇩🇪🏟️🎉
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The European Football Championship 2024 is soon approaching, with the German national soccer team set to kick off their campaign against Scotland. Despite being just one of the 24 participating teams, the DFB (German Football Association) is viewed as a contender for the title, with 40% of professionals indicating they believe Germany will win in a "Kicker" survey.
The DFB's favoritism in the upcoming European Football Championship 2024 can also be attributed to the performance of their Bundesliga players, who are highly esteemed across the continent and contribute significantly to the team's strength.
