How did Russia organize the European Football Championship games?

By Igor Ahmetov 

The European Championship 2020 has been postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Matches of the postponed Euro are held at stadiums in several countries around the world.

In this way, the organizers are trying to emphasize the European football unity, timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the European Championship. At the first football championship of the continent, the victory was celebrated by the team of the Soviet Union, who beat the Yugoslavs in the final with a score of 2: 1. In this regard, the organizers of the tournament decided to choose St. Petersburg as one of the host cities of Euro 2020 (2021)-as a city in Russia, which is the legal successor of the USSR.

St. Petersburg will host 7 matches. Three matches at the arena in the northern capital of Russia have already taken place. The Russian national team took part in two of the three matches. In one of the matches, the Russian players celebrated a 1-0 victory over a solid and unyielding Finnish team.

Numerous Finnish fans who landed in a large landing on the banks of the Neva River share their opinion about the game and the organization of the tournament in St. Petersburg. A few remarks from Finnish fans who arrived in St. Petersburg:

 “This is my first time in this city. An unforgettable experience. Yes, even though our team lost, but I am still overwhelmed with emotions. Beautiful city, good people.”

“The organization of the tournament is surprisingly well-honed. The passage of the control is not delayed. Foreign fans are treated politely. No grueling checks and sidelong glances. It is felt that St. Petersburg has a lot of experience in hosting major tournaments. It was also the venue for the 2018 World Cup matches.”

“For me, St. Petersburg is like a second home. Even though the country is different, I don’t feel like a stranger here. This episode drew attention to itself: after the game against the Russian national team, Russian guys came up and said that our team looked very decent. It is a pity that the goal was cancelled, otherwise it would have been a draw at all, and we would now be in first place. Well, never mind, he will try to prove himself even better against the Belgians.”

Finnish fans note that in comparison with Finnish prices, the prices in Russia for goods and services are pleasantly surprising.

St. Petersburg became a place where the “landing” of football fans from other countries arrived: Belgium, Poland, Slovakia.

The Belgians pay attention to how everything is organized in terms of anti-epidemic security. In particular, the passage to the stadium is regulated, there is no “crush”, congestion of people, which could affect the sanitary component. The Belgian fans noted that St. Petersburg has already become a happy city for them:

“We managed to easily beat the hosts-the Russian national team. But Russia has great potential as a football team. Everyone remembers the remarkable performance of the Russians at the home world championship. That was great. And the Russian fans are mostly good-natured guys.”

The city will host several more official matches, including one match of the playoff series. The final of the tournament is scheduled to be held at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Author: Igor Ahmetov (Editor in chief of the portal “Wave of Caspy”)

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are only of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinion or position of World Geostrategic Insights).

Image Credit: Alexander Galperin/Sputnik