The 2020 European Football Championship (UEFA EURO 2020) was postponed by one year to the summer of 2021 due to Corona. To mark the 60th anniversary of the competition, the games will be played in different stadiums across Europe. The major sporting event would have kicked off this Friday (June 12) at 9 p.m. with the Italy – Turkey game in Rome.
"An attractive game combined with a nice travel destination would have appealed to me," comments author Volker Keidel (50, "Anyone who drinks alcohol-free cyclists has given up: one against all trends") the shift in an interview with spot on news. The new date, however, makes him really wistful – and many other fans – not.
The European Football Championship would have started on Friday. How are you at the thought
Volker Keidel: I have to honestly say that it leaves me relatively cold. Even the World Cup in Russia didn't move me, nor did we leave. I used to take vacation for the entire preliminary round … I no longer feel this childish joy.
What do you think of the fact that the EM was postponed?
Keidel: Well, it would have been a pretty dreary event without spectators. I'm a HSV fan and watch enough sad games, so I'm served.
This time the games would have taken place all over Europe. Was a stadium visit planned? If yes, where?
Keidel: I didn't take care of cards in advance, but an attractive game combined with a nice travel destination would have appealed to me. Milan or Madrid, the main thing … let's do it!
How do you usually prefer to watch the games?
Keidel: HSV games preferably in the stadium, because afterwards I can drink what I have experienced together with the boys and nobody makes fun of me; EM or World Cup games preferably when barbecuing with friends.
What will you miss the most?
Keidel: After all the corona restrictions, I actually miss everything. Football, friends, escalation. But above all, escalating with friends in soccer.
The Bundesliga started again after the Corona break. What do you make of it? From the ghost games?
Keidel: Since I only watch HSV games anyway, little has changed apart from the lack of mood. I sit excitedly in front of the TV, hope for the best and fear the worst. During injury time, I prepare handkerchiefs. In principle, football without fans is like non-alcoholic cyclists. Complete nonsense!
You played football yourself. How does it feel to play in front of completely empty ranks? What role do spectators have in football?
Keidel: 100 people watched us too, after all, I played for renowned clubs such as VfR Burggrumbach and ASV Rimpar. Every spectator brings emotion. It doesn't matter whether you insult the sugar beet farmer from the neighboring town or the problem children of St. Pauli. Rivalry and provocation make football.