THE ROAD TO BERLIN

The 2024 European Championship is rolling into view

- Nick Bidwell

At the risk of straying into the dubious area of national stereotypes, Germans have an undeniable flair for organisation, so it is no surprise that their preparations for Euro 2024 are going full steam ahead.

With a little more than 12 months until the big kick-off, Germany’s football federation (DFB), the ten host cities and national and regional government are busy synchronising their efforts. The Tournament Steering Group – comprising representatives from UEFA, German football, federal government ministers and local mayors – have been in session since last October. Meanwhile, ex-Nationalmannschaft skipper turned Euro 2024 tournament director Philipp Lahm is doing a sterling job on both the directorial and promotional fronts.

As World Cup hosts in 2006, Germany put on a masterclass and there is every reason to believe that next year’s European Championship will be equally successful. After all, the Germans do not have to exactly re-invent the wheel. Thanks to their excellent transport infrastructure, hotel facilities, telecommunication and broadcasting know-how and plethora of exceptional stadia, they are already ahead of the game.

“All our cities’ sites are on the right road,” says Euro 2024 CEO Markus Stenger.