Germany ready to launch Euro 2024 this Friday

Euro 2024: Germany will open the competition with a spectacular ceremony and a tribute to Beckenbauer.

This Friday, June 14, 2024 marks the start of the 17th edition of the European Cup in Germany, bringing together 24 national teams for a month of intense competition. This year, the favorites named by football observers are England and France, followed closely by Spain and hosts Germany. However, some analysts are also counting on Italy, the title holder, as well as Portugal and the Netherlands to spring a surprise.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (Haitian time), promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The famous Italian group Meduza, composed of Luca de Gregorio, Mattia Vitale, and Simone Giani, will be there, accompanied by the American group OneRepublic and the German singer Leony Burger. The inaugural match will pit Germany against Scotland, officially kicking off Euro 2024.

A moving moment of the ceremony will be dedicated to German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, who died on January 7, 2024. His memory will be honored with a screening at the Allianz Arena. Heidi Beckenbauer, his widow, will present the trophy alongside Jürgen Klinsmann and Bernard Dietz, double European champion in 1980 and 1996.

Since its creation in 1956 under the name of the European Nations Cup, the European Football Championship, commonly called Euro since the 1980s and officially since 1996, has become a flagship event in European sport. With three titles each, Germany and Spain dominate the list, while Italy and France follow with two trophies each. Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia each have one victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the participation record with six editions and is the top scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals.

The kick-off of this Euro 2024 in Germany promises to be grandiose, marking the start of a month of high-level football and memorable moments for fans around the world.