In about 80 days, the opening whistle for Euro 2020, which was postponed from last June to the coming summer, is expected to be heard. • Will it really happen, where and with some fans, if at all?
• Dor Hoffman answers all the questions around the biggest tournament ever
The mascot of the euro.
The uncertainty frustrates the fans
Photo:
Reuters
The World Cup qualifiers that kick off tonight are another milestone in the special football year called 2021. Tonight the Euro 21s open in Hungary and Slovenia, sometime the World Cup qualifiers in South America will also be approved to return to play after being postponed indefinitely, in addition to Copa America, Argentina And the Gold Cup in North and Central America, which is scheduled to take place in the summer in a particular country, is not yet known which one.
And yet, the event of the summer in the world of football is Euro 2020. Last year it was postponed to the summer of 2021, and from there there are about 80 days left until the opening whistle of the biggest tournament ever.
24 teams in 12 host countries, all asking questions and waiting for answers.
Will the tournament be held for sure?
Yes, a tournament will be, the big question is where and in what format.
The original plan is to celebrate 60 years of the tournament with games spread across the continent - from Dublin in Ireland to Baku in Azerbaijan, but the past year has made it very clear that this is a rather pretentious program.
Despite this, and due to financial matters, UEFA is determined to hold the tournament at all costs. The European Union needs the revenue from the broadcasting rights to pay the money to the participating teams and the 55 members of the association. Of the Champions League and Europa League last season.In a less bad case, it will be held in fewer goals, but will be met.
Will there be an audience?
That's the question.
Last week, UEFA President Alexander Chaprin was interviewed by a Croatian newspaper and said: "We have a lot of scenarios, but I promise you that holding Euro games without an audience is not one of them." Although UEFA cooled things down a bit and made it clear that hospitality would not be denied You will be able to bring in an audience, it is quite clear that Chaprin wants as many fans on the pitches as possible.
However, few can guarantee such a thing at the moment, as Munich Mayor Ritter Dietter told Bild last week: "It is impossible to announce today what will be in June."
And really, every country has a different protocol, which stems from a different situation and a different order of priorities.
Considering the fact that UEFA has already sold 90 percent of the tickets, one can understand why Chaprin and his people want host cities that can bring in as many fans as possible. In any case, it seems that the fans will be local only and will not be allowed to fly from country to country.
Is there a possibility of changes in the hosts?
Although Chaprin is determined to maintain the original format of the tournament, the Slovenian said last week: "If we understand that this is not possible, we will hold the tournament in the 11-10 cities that can host."
The UEFA president is aware that anything can still change or turn around, so there are alternative options on the table.
After Germany made it clear that it could not do so, France expressed no interest, Italy was preoccupied with other matters and Russia did not serve the interests of UEFA, England, which is improving due to a vaccination campaign, tops the list of countries "able to save the situation" .
Already a month ago, the Italian journalist Tankardi Palmeri announced that England would probably host the entire tournament, but nothing concrete has happened since.
"We are hosting the semi-finals and final," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week, declaring: "If they want us to host more games we are definitely ready to do so."
Scotland and Ireland are also on alert, but all this talk is done quietly with an optimistic thought that in the end everything will go as usual.
So when do you decide?
UEFA has set for the 12 host cities April 7 the last day to submit a detailed plan of how and how many fans will enter each stadium. The final decision will be made about two weeks later, on April 20, at the UEFA Congress.
But despite this orderly schedule, the past year has taught everyone that things can change at a dizzying pace. Countries have come and gone in locksmiths time and time again, and returning the crowd to the pitches has become an unresolved issue in the major leagues. Only last week R.B. Leipzig considered pitching 999 Fans in preparation for a return to routine, but a few days later the mayor canceled the show and said: "It's an illusion right now to talk about returning crowds." Bottom line: Euro 2020 will open on June 11 in the game between Italy and Turkey in Rome. Probably in Rome. Maybe with a crowd.