Frankfurt am Main (dpa) – With a colorful and quiet ceremony, host Germany brilliantly passed the first test on the way to the European Football Championship in two years.
“We are very satisfied with the process. The bright colors should represent exactly how we want to present ourselves in 2024. Being an open and diverse country, where everyone is welcome, “said tournament director Philipp Lahm after the qualifying round draw at Festhalle in Frankfurt.
The entertainment event, at the beginning of which pop star Lena presented her current song “Looking for Love”, marked the official start of the final round from June 14 to July 14, 2024. “Starting today, everyone feels that something big is about to happen. Of course we are looking forward to it, “said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.
Replay of the EURO final in Group B
With Germany being the guest of honor, the 61-year-old was able to watch the 45-minute draw in a relaxed way, as did national team coach Hansi Flick and DFB director Oliver Bierhoff. “When I see Group B and Group C, I think it’s good that we are already qualified,” Neuendorf said, looking at the two hammerless players.
In Group B the final of the 2021 European Championships will be repeated between reigning champion Italy and England, second classified in the European Championships. In Group C, two great teams meet world champions France and Holland. A total of 53 national teams are fighting for the 23 free starting places.
The top two teams from each of the ten qualifying groups get a ticket for the European Championship. The remaining three participants will be determined in the play-offs. The opening match of the final stage takes place in Munich, the final in Berlin. Other locations are Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig and Stuttgart.
Russia excluded from the tournament
Russia is not included. The 2018 World Cup hosts were banned from the tournament by the European Football Association due to the war of aggression in Ukraine and were not even mentioned at the ceremony in Frankfurt. “We know all the reasons why Russia is not included. This needs no further explanation, ”Neuendorf said. Lahm also defended the approach: “If you mention Russia, you would give them a stage too. It was centered on the nations participating in the qualification. “
In view of the global political situation and the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, which has been heavily criticized for the human rights situation in the desert country, Lahm once again stressed the importance of EURO 2024. “We can show our values , for which we as a country in Europe support and take them outside. This is all the more important these days, “said the 38-year-old former national team player.
Neuendorf: “It must be a sustainable tournament”
To make ME a success, however, many things would have to fit together. “But I am very confident. I think people are looking forward to having an event on their doorstep again and welcoming people to celebrate a festival together in the heart of Europe,” said Lahm.
The German Football Association wants to do its part. “As a large association with seven million members, we have a social responsibility. We want to do it justice. It has to be a sustainable tournament, ”said DFB head Neuendorf. “We think a lot about the issues that are relevant in society and how football can play its part. I see it as our task “.
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