This championship, played in Europe, establishes unprecedented benchmarks.
The grand event is here, let's dive in: In Munich, the Home-European Football Championship kicks off. The German national football team plays their first match against Scotland, marking the start of the tournament filled with uncertainty but also hope.
It's game time. The Home-European Football Championship. The football extravaganza taking place in Germany. More players, more fans, more football coverage on TV and the internet, more police presence. The EM exceeds expectations and begins with the opening match in Munich, between the German national team and Scotland. Could the "Mega-Tournament" bring more goals? More thrill? More electricity for a united Europe?
That's what the organizers and DFB officials are hoping for at least. Not less than a "Second Summer Fairy Tale" is expected to happen. A huge, peaceful football party. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann urged the country to "push its team forward" during the closing press conference on Friday. From July 14th in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, 51 games will take place in ten German states - and the DFB team aims to win its fourth EM title since 1972, 1980, and most recently 1996.
The opening ceremony is toned down, despite issues arising before the EM regarding a planned pyro show. The event was criticized for being dangerous and sending the wrong signal to football fans, who are prohibited from lighting anything. However, UEFA assures that it will be done in an orderly and safe manner. So a few pyro rods will be raised, and dancers will wear colorful costumes instead.
Football enthusiasts in the Allianz Arena are eager for an exciting game. Attendees include a large number of Scots. 200,000 are expected in Munich, around 10,000 in the stadium. The Scots, known as the "Tartan Army," have already caused quite a stir in the Bavarian state capital with their kilts, bagpipes, and singing in the past few days. Meanwhile, DFB supporters and -supporters are reveling in the city center before the match.
How far will the DFB team advance?
The German national football team harbors a mystery on the sports front. Following disappointing World Cup and European Championship tournaments in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023, and an elimination in the group stage during the 2022 World Cup, the DFB team needs to prove itself amid pressure from home crowds. The fourth EM victory is typically the goal, but after the Qatar debacle and a challenging year in 2023, the national team also faced a dismissal of the long-time national coach.
Julian Nagelsmann took over as national team coach after Hansi Flick and led the team to the Home-EM to face Scotland for his ninth game as the national team coach. Nagelsmann's starting career was shaky and sportingly disappointing, with only one win in the first four games. To turn things around, he dared a drastic rejuvenation in the DFB squad, opting for a spring cleaning and a performance principle. Veteran players like Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels were pushed aside, while six-time Champions League winner Toni Kroos returned to end his remarkable career at the Home-EM.
With cautious optimism, hopes for a successful tournament are returning. Led by Captain Ilkay Gündogan and Kroos, the German team won friendly matches in March against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1). These victories sparked a change, but the two warm-up matches just before the EM slightly dampened the mood. The group stage against Scotland, Hungary (19.6, 9 pm), and Switzerland (23.6, 9 pm, all on MagentaTV and in the ntv.de live ticker) appears promising, beyond which anything is possible - either positively or negatively.
Crisis, Politics, Safety
This EM is not just a sports event. It is supposed to achieve more: unite the entire continent, perhaps? Help citizens forget their fears and concerns about inflation and train delays? Present an open society, while right-wing forces are gaining strength in Germany and xenophobia is increasing? This tournament may once again be weighed down with expectations from a German perspective. "Qatar 2.0" instead of "Second Summer Fairy Tale"? Julian Nagelsmann wants his footballers to focus only on football. But as expected, other topics are surfacing.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz anticipates a turning point, a mood lifter. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck expects "economic effects" after years of economic downturn due to the Corona-, Energy-, and Economic crises. Federal Minister Cem Özdemir warns against excessive expectations, as football will not solve problems that need to be addressed elsewhere.
Conflicting opinions were raised concerning the "Second Summer Fairy Tale" character during the European election a week ago. In Austria and France, right-wing populist parties won, while the AfD came close to 16% in Germany. The European Union has faced major crises (Corona and the Russian attack on Ukraine) in recent years and risks drifting apart. It is the hope of the organizers that the EM can change something about this.
The "Rail EM" tournament, with an emphasis on eco-friendliness by organizers, is anticipated to take place. Fans can conveniently purchase affordable train tickets for travel to the venues, though foreign fans might face overcrowded trains and delays - a common inconvenience for many Germans.
For both the struggling rail sector and the German security forces, this home event poses a significant challenge. With millions aiming to be transported and secured, rather than merely moved, potential threats loom. These dangers range from terrorism, hooliganism, and cyber attacks, with a diffuse yet tangible threat landscape. Even lone actors can't be ruled out, according to recent remarks by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. The security plans have been meticulously developed for months, with approximately 22,000 police officers and Federal Police officials ensuring the safety of fan zones, stadiums, and the 24 competing teams daily.
It's hoped that the following four weeks will bring joyous and peaceful celebrations in Germany. Large-scale events tend to develop their unique momentum, and initial indications of this can already be seen in Munich, buzzing with Scots.
Nonetheless, the German national football team faces high expectations. Can they live up to them? Before their initial match in Munich, a legendary player who donned their jersey will be honored once more: Franz Beckenbauer. His wife, Heidi, carries the EM-cup onto the field to heartfelt cheers.
In a month's time, the German football national team may claim this silver cup in Berlin. But for now, inspired by the emperor, they are urged to "Get out and play football!" as millions watch on TV screens, at fan zones, or in the stadium, cheering feverishly, with their opening game quickly approaching, the team's rallying cry is: "Come on and play football!"
