A staple match for soccer followers worldwide since 1960, this 12 months is the primary time in historical past that the match’s 51 matches will probably be held in host cities throughout Europe—a dozen in whole.
The delayed Euro 2020 which lastly begins on Friday, is a 12 months delayed, with Covid nonetheless set to forged a shadow over the match.
The continent-wide occasion, first envisaged by then-UEFA president Michel Platini when he introduced the match could be held throughout Europe, will probably be performed in entrance of restricted crowds and with strict well being restrictions in place.
The motion kicks off at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, the place Italy tackle Turkey in entrance of 16,000 followers.
The vast majority of the 11 venues, all in several nations, will solely be partially-filled for matches, though Denmark on Thursday introduced it will elevate masks guidelines and permit 25,000 followers, as a substitute of 16,000, to attend video games in Copenhagen.
Munich goals to host a minimal of 14,500 followers — round 22 p.c of the Allianz Enviornment’s capability, the bottom of the stadiums getting used.
Dublin and Bilbao have been dropped from the listing of hosts after being unable to provide ensures they may meet UEFA’s requirement of accommodating restricted numbers of spectators, however Seville stepped in for Bilbao whereas Dublin’s video games went to London and Saint-Petersburg.
On the pitch, France will probably be agency favourites regardless of being one of many few conventional giants to not have any video games at residence. The world champions’ first match is in Munich in opposition to Germany on Tuesday.
(With inputs from companies)