Stuttgart takes positive stock of the European Championships

European Football Championship - Stuttgart takes positive stock of the European Championships

Covered in the shadow of a police officer's death and several severely injured individuals due to a stabbing attack in the Fan Zone, Stuttgart, as the European Championship (EM) host city, has drawn a positive intermediate balance. "We have experienced thrilling games with many international fans and guests from all over Europe in Stuttgart," said Thomas Pollak, overall project leader for the Host City Stuttgart, in a statement. Five games of the Football-European Championship were held in Stuttgart, including Germany's national team's Viertelfinal match against Spain on Friday, which ended in a 1:2 loss.

All five games saw the stadium, with a capacity for 51,000 fans, sold out. Approximately 700,000 people celebrated in four Fan Zones. "We are currently very satisfied because our plans and concepts for public transportation, traffic management, and security have proven reliable during the games, even regarding the Fan Walks," Pollak added.

Mourning the fallen police officers

Police President Markus Eisenbraun spoke of an overall peaceful and lively atmosphere in the city. However, he also referred to the stabbing incident on June 26, during which a 25-year-old man allegedly injured three people during the Public Viewing of the Turkey vs. Czech Republic match. The suspected perpetrator, according to earlier police reports, holds a Syrian passport and is in custody. The quick arrest, according to Eisenbraun's words, demonstrated "that we were well-prepared and that the individual pieces fit together."

The police were particularly affected by the death of a colleague in a traffic accident on June 24. A car collided with the motorcycle of the 61-year-old officer. Another police officer was admitted to the hospital with severe injuries. Both officers belonged to the Motorradstaffel of the Verkehrspolizei Stuttgart, who escorted the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after an EM game of his country's national team to the airport. "This event significantly dampens our otherwise positive summary of the mission so far," Eisenbraun said.

Traffic chaos remains absent

To bring more than 50,000 fans to the stadium on game days, major traffic routes were cleared, and traffic participants were informed, as Ralf Thomas, leader of the Integrated Transport Control Center, explained. "Successfully: We had about 15% fewer cars on the roads in Stuttgart during the games. Yes, there were delays on the roads, but no chaos."

Even though no more EM games will be held in Stuttgart, the Fan Zone gates will remain open until the end of the tournament. Both remaining Viertelfinal matches, both Halbfinals, and the Final will be broadcast live on two giant screens.

1. Despite the tragedy of a police officer's death and several injuries from a knife attack in the Fan Zone, the Municipality of Stuttgart has seen a positive interim balance during the European Football Championship.
2. Thomas Pollak, the overall project leader for Host City Stuttgart, praised the city for hosting thrilling soccer games and welcoming over a million international fans and guests from across Europe.
3. The Fan Walks, a crucial part of the tournament, also saw successful public transportation, traffic management, and security arrangements according to Pollak.
4. In addition to the Viertelfinal match between Germany and Spain, Germany's national team played four more games in the Fan Zone, which were all sold out, with a total capacity of 51,000 fans.
5. The Fan Zone, as well as other venues, attracted approximately 700,000 soccer enthusiasts in total.
6. Regrettably, an accident involving a police officer's motorcycle and a car occurred on the night before an EM game, resulting in the officer's death and severe injuries to another officer.
7. After the European Football Championship, the Fan Zone in Stuttgart will continue to screen the remaining matches, including the Viertelfinals, Halbfinals, and the Final, providing fans with an opportunity to celebrate soccer and the tournament's conclusion together.

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