Holidays after “Drecksloch” launch
Gelsenkirchen says goodbye to the European Football Championship
02.07.2024, 01:12 am
Four matches of the European Football Championship are taking place in the working-class town of Gelsenkirchen. Things aren’t going well at the beginning, with mockery coming from England in particular. But the home of FC Schalke 04 is working its way out of the initial difficulties and is leaving the tournament in a good mood.
Despite initial riots and transport problems as well as disdain from foreign football fans, the city of Gelsenkirchen has drawn a positive conclusion after the fourth and final European Championship match in the arena. Everyone involved “worked around the clock and did everything they could to give the guests from Europe and the world an unforgettable football festival,” explained Mayor Karin Welge. In her opinion, the 1,600 volunteers were the “friendly face of the city” for a total of 370,000 visitors.
Welge also praised the joint error management of the authorities and emergency services following the difficulties at the first European Championship match in the Schalke Arena between England and Serbia. “At such a major event, everything cannot go smoothly from the start. But we quickly identified the problems and took immediate countermeasures,” explained the head of administration. Her deputy, Luidger Wolterhoff, also considered the improvements a success. “All measures have taken effect and ensured that the three other games run smoothly,” said the city director.
The duel between England and Serbia initially attracted negative headlines due to riots by supporters of the Balkan team and, after the game, a lack of transport for fans of the home of second division club Schalke 04. Disappointed British fans also branded the city a “shithole” on social media in comparison to other European Championship venues. In other preliminary round matches in Gelsenkirchen, Spain and defending champion Italy, as well as Portugal and Georgia, and in a round of 16, England and Slovakia again met.
EM office manager Wilhelm Weßels supplemented the report with a report on “only 20 operations by the municipal security service and fire brigade related to the EURO”. Compared to the large number of guests, these are “per mille numbers”. Speaking of per mille: According to Weßels, the local fans and supporters of the seven teams drank 63,000 litres of beer in the official movement zones during the EM days in Gelsenkirchen.