It starts in Rome and ends in London. It starts with a match that guarantees a fight on the field and that also offers support from the stands. In the meantime, it will end with the big final that will be played on July 11 at "Wembley" in London.
Europe is ready for "Euro 2020", the event that takes place a year late, but which is nevertheless expected to be a football celebration. The considerable return of spectators to the stands guarantees this. There has been a huge battle to get fans into the stadiums. This has been made possible, albeit in limited numbers, and thus European football is significantly more complete.
From the match between Turkey and Italy to the final, there will be no shortage of quality football. There will be innovations, as in any big competition. New names, new stars will emerge. Players will be confirmed and records will be set. The players who are part of the event, the best of the continent, guarantee football of the highest level.
It seems fitting that the first leg of the European Round of 16 is played in Italy. It is the first country in Europe to be hit hard by the coronavirus. And it makes sense that the European, postponed precisely because of the coronavirus, starts in the Italian capital.
Italy aims to prove its strength in the opening match. Turkey aims for surprise in the initiative.
"We have waited a year for this European and I can't wait to hear 15 thousand people singing the national anthem", said the defender of Italy, Leonardo Bonucci. "Football with fans inside the stadium is a different sport," he continued.
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The return of fans to the stadiums is considered the biggest victory of "Euro 2020" and of UEFA as its organizer.
This year's European is quite different from past events. As early as 2012, it was decided that the event would be organized in multiple cities, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the continental championship. In the end it was decided for 11 cities. It was impossible to organize the event last year, while UEFA did not have the option of canceling the event, which would be an extraordinary financial blow.
UEFA decided to go ahead with the plan to hold the European Championship in many countries and in the end settled on 11 cities. The name was kept, "Euro 2020", because of the preparations that had been made under this name.
Although in difficult times, the emotions of the event have already captured Europe. For a month in a row, football will be the main topic.
There are no shortage of challenges. The very organization of the event in 11 different cities, in 11 host countries, makes the European one special. Measures in the fight against the coronavirus, travel restrictions are other headaches for those responsible at UEFA. The cases of coronavirus in the last few days in some representatives have prompted the reaction of the organizers.
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But UEFA is ready. The representatives are ready and after the matches start many of the challenges will remain in the background. Other cases of coronavirus are expected. Different players will be left out of matches and new names will get the chance. But millions of football fans in Europe and the world will have the opportunity to watch quality matches and their favorites in the arena. A part of the fans will also be in the stadiums.
Europe is ready for football celebration. "Euro 2020" is starting.
