Germany battle Turkey for rights to host football event
Nyon (Switzerland), Sept. 26: Having lifted the World Cup in 2014, Philipp Lahm now hopes to bring Euro 2024 finals to Germany on Thursday when Uefa announce the hosts for the European Championships. After retiring last year, exnational team captain Lahm, 34, is head of Germany’s bid to host Euro 2024 against rivals Turkey, the only other nation seeking to host the event in six years time.
The announcement is expected to be made at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Thursday.
“We are a football nation and our fans always want to show their passion for football,” declared Lahm.
Germany want to stage their first Euro as a unified country, West Germany having hosted the event in 1988.
Turkey are hoping to be awarded their first major football tournament after missing out to France by one vote for the right to host Euro 2016.
Nevertheless, Germany has a clear advantage in terms of stadiums and transport.
Their official bid sees 10 existing stadia ready to host the 2024 finals, while Turkey will need to rebuild and renovate two of their proposed stadiums.
While 2.29 million fans could watch the Euro 2024 games in Turkey, based on maximum capacities, the German bid can offer seats for 2.78m supporters.
That means more revenue from ticket sales and the Germans also steal a march in terms of transport. Germany offers a reliable road, rail and air network ready to whisk visiting fans between host cities. — AFP