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EURO 2024

Can Germany’s hosting of Euro 2024 be judged a success so far?

As the group stage of Euro 2024 reaches its halfway stage the tournament has for the most part run smoothly but from transport issues to outbreaks of violence it hasn't been plain sailing.

Published: 26 June 2024 15:22 CEST
police lead a crowd of fans
Police lead thousands of Spanish fans before the match against Italy in Gelsenkirchen. Hundreds of fans would later be left waiting for hours for trains and trams. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Reichwein

As Euro 2024 reaches the half way mark with the knock-out rounds to come the tournament has run fairly smoothly, but has not been without troubling incidents from flare ups of violence and severe transport issues for fans.

The Local considers the issues the tournament has had and what Germany has done to solve the problems.

Flare ups of violence and hooliganism 

Overall the tournament has been largely trouble free especially when compared to previous European football tournaments. We are a long way from the dark days of Euro 2000 and even Euro 2016, which were both hit by major outbreaks of trouble.

But there have been flare ups, most recently on Tuesday in Munich ahead of the Denmark vs Serbia match.

As thousands of Serbia fans gathered at Marienplatz there were clashes with police with bottles and chairs thrown in the direction of officers. Seven fans were arrested and several officers were injured. Images of the clashes were posted on social media.

There have been other clashes too, notably a huge brawl involving Serbia and England fans before their opening clash in Gelsenkirchen. There were also clashes between Turkey and Georgia fans inside the stadium during their Group F match.

But there were fears of a lot worse in the run up to the tournament, with German police openly admitting they had no idea how England fans would behave and how many Serbian hooligans would travel to the country.

Ap News, for example, wrote that “a recent surge in violence around football games is contributing to concerns over security when Germany hosts the European Championship.”

But German interior minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) insisted that police and security forces were ready for “all imaginable dangers”, adding that 22,000 officers would be on duty every day during the tournament.

German police have been working with foreign police forces to communicate about threats, particularly ahead of high-risk matches.

Germany has also stepped up checks at its borders and at train stations and airports. More than 400 people have been arrested since the start of the Euros and about 50 hooligans have been barred from entering Germany.

Cities overrun by fans and travel chaos

For those who don’t follow football or enjoy joining in the fanfare, among the more pressing issues with Euro 2024 is that German cities are overrun with fans.

With match games happening in ten cities around the country, and matches being broadcast on TVs from what feels like every bar and corner store in the country, the tournament is impossible to ignore. But not everyone is happy about it.

A survey by the opinion research institute Civey found that roughly half of Berlin residents are annoyed by the closure of Straße des 17. Juni for the city’s “fan mile”, which is the country’s largest fan zone. The fanzone will remain in place until July 25th.

READ ALSO: Where are the fan zones for Euro 2024 in Germany?

Outside of fan zones, residents have noticed congestion on city streets and packed public transport on match days in some areas.

As would be expected, virtually everything – from Deutsche Bahn trains to local pubs – is operating at a higher capacity with 2.7 million fans from abroad visiting Germany this month.

In particular, public transport in Gelsenkirchen has proven to be a hotspot for travel chaos following matches. The issue was initially reported after the England vs. Serbia match, when crowds of fans were left waiting for trains for hours after the game ended.

READ ALSO: ‘Welcome to Germany’ – Euro 2024 travel chaos raises questions about German efficiency

Bizarrely, representatives from local transport companies brushed off any criticism, suggesting that trains and buses were running effectively. But similar issues were seen again after the Spain vs. Italy match a few days later.

England fans might understandably fear returning to Gelsenkirchen for their last 16 match on Sunday.

It’s not all bad – in fact, for many it’s all good

Even among those who don’t tap into the football frenzy, the championship and all the events and tourists it brings, do offer a chance for local German residents to meet an interesting mix of European visitors.

Among some of the touching highlights so far were Germany falling in love with Scottish fans and Turkish immigrants celebrating their home country’s victory across the country.

A special mention also goes out to Dutch fans who have reliably brought a sea of orange to their team’s games. Pre-match scenes of thousands of orange-clad supporters bopping to the earworm “Left Right” have predictably gone viral.

“I think fans from all over Europe feel very welcome with us,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said.

Despite the aforementioned challenges, the overall experience of Euro 2024 has so far been positive off the pitch.

With the big matches yet to come the stakes will be raised another notch in the coming weeks, both on and off the pitch.

READ ALSO: How (and where) to watch Euro 2024 games in Germany this week

With reporting by AFP.

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EURO 2024

German fans dance to the tune of the ‘saxophone guy’

While Germany have sometimes struggled on the pitch at Euro 2024, a previously unknown saxophonist in a retro shirt has had more success at delighting fans and uniting the country.

Published: 30 June 2024 15:12 CEST
German fans dance to the tune of the 'saxophone guy'

Andre Schnura has become the breakout star of the competition on social media, getting fans jumping across Germany’s host cities for the tournament.

His latest performance in front of his newly adoring public came in the Dortmund fanzone ahead of Germany’s first knockout game against Denmark on Saturday evening.

Little over two weeks ago, 30-something Schnura was a gigging saxophonist and music teacher of little or no renown.

After losing his main job at a music school where he had been giving lessons for the past six years, he decided to pick up his saxophone and follow the football around Germany.

READ ALSO: How (and where) to watch Euro 2024 games in Germany

Schnura’s interpretations of the greatest hits of the football songbook include “Freed from Desire”, “Samba de Janeiro” and “Major Tom”, a German 80s classic which has become an anthem for supporters.

Dressed in a retro Rudi Voeller kit and sunglasses, Schnura has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on social media and become an instantly recognisable character at the tournament.

“I am completely overwhelmed and infinitely grateful for what is happening right now,” Schnura wrote on Instagram after a week of high-energy performances.

Hopeful message

The “saxophone guy”, as Schnura even calls himself, has used his platform to carry a message, too.

“I want to use my five minutes of fame to remind you of something important. All eyes are still on me, but it won’t always stay that way,” Schnura said.

“We all have worries, fears and insecurities… But we all long for peace, security and love. Simply, we are all the same. I want to remind you to love and forgive one another,” he said.

The saxophonist’s message of hope has resonated with fans, many of whom have followed his performances live online.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say your vibe is doing great things for Germany and for the Euros,” one user responded.

Another said Schnura was “saving Germany with a saxophone”.

Germany may have qualified for its first quarter final in eight years, bringing some positivity back to the team, but the mood in the country is dour between a sluggish economy and an ill-tempered political debate.

The saxophone guy has not gone unnoticed by the German football association (DFB) or the tournament organisers UEFA, who have both broadcast videos of Schnura.

The musician has caught the attention of the players in the changing room, too. Gap-toothed striker and German cult icon in his own right, Niclas Fuellkrug said Schnura was “very cool”.

“Super job, Andre! Thank you for your support!” said veteran teammate Thomas Mueller.

Schnura has turned down requests for interviews, saying his “music speaks for itself”.

A petition has been started online for Schnura to appear at the final in Berlin on July 14. The musician himself has announced a tour in the autumn with seven dates called “love is the answer”.

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