The whole of Europe is in soccer fever. Good-humored fans celebrating together, public viewing at numerous locations in various cities, exciting duels on the pitch and thrills right up to the last minute. EURO 2024 is inspiring - even in Gelsenkirchen.
The people of the Ruhr region love and live soccer, as they have proven once again in recent weeks. Together with soccer fans from all over the world, they tuned in to the matches in the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen city center or in the Buer district, crossed their fingers together in the fan zone or marched several kilometers together to the stadium. In the first two weeks of the tournament, around 370,000 fans gathered in the stadium and Nordsternpark, 23,000 at the fan meeting points alone. There was great support at the individual locations in the city from around 1,600 volunteers, whose voluntary commitment made an important contribution to a successful tournament in the city.
A total of four matches were played in the Arena AufSchalke, as the Royal Blues' stadium was known during the European Championships. Seven nations were guests and just as many goals were scored. Christina Rühl-Hamers, member of the board of FC Schalke 04, was present at all matches: "Experiencing 04 matches here in the arena was really fantastic. I am totally thrilled. It was thrilling to see how the fans supported their teams and the atmosphere here in the stadium."
With England's triumph in the round of 16 against Slovakia, the final whistle was blown in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (30.6.). The Three Lions prevailed 2:1 in extra time after Harry Kane scored the decisive goal. It was also the team of national coach Gareth Southgate that was victorious in the first duel in Gelsenkirchen on the third day of the tournament. England won 1:0 against Serbia, with Jude Bellingham scoring with a header in the 13th minute.
Just four days later, the fans watched an absolute classic at Schalke: Spain, the 1964, 2008 and 2012 champions, faced two-time winners and reigning European champions Italy. La Roja dominated the game from the outset, but the decisive goal for the Iberians came from an own goal by the Squadra Azzurra in the 55th minute. However, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was not the only one to hit the back of the net. In the current competition, nine own goals have already been scored in the 42 matches played so far. This brings this year's EURO ever closer to the record set at Euro 2021 with eleven own goals.
In the final group game at Schalke, European Championship newcomers Georgia pulled off a surprise: national coach Willy Sagnol's team won 2:0 against Portugal. The goals were scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (2nd) and Georges Mikautadze from the penalty spot (57th) to book their place in the last 16. However, like the Italians, the Georgians' EURO 2024 adventure ended there.
The dismantling work at Schalke's stadium has been underway since Monday (1.7.). The 16.5 meter wide and 3.5 meter high VELTINS lettering was lifted back onto the roof by crane and now shines in new splendour. Platforms, containers, tents, 150 kilometers of cable, EURO branding - everything is being put back in place. At the same time, work is underway inside the stadium: S04 employees are clearing out the hospitality areas, boxes and storage areas. In addition, seat shells are being rebuilt and royal blue branding is being reinstalled. Everything is running at full speed so that EURO GmbH can hand over the keys in time for Taylor Swift's concerts. Because further highlights await Gelsenkirchen this month with the three shows by the US superstar (17, 18 and 19 July), the Schalke-Tach (21 July) and five events by Rammstein.
Meanwhile, Christina Rühl-Hamers looks back on a successful tournament in Gelsenkirchen: "To sum up, I am really very satisfied. It's clear that it's a challenge for everyone to put on an event like this, especially for a city like Gelsenkirchen. My takeaway is that we worked well as a team. In addition to the city and Schalke 04, this also includes all the other partners, such as the employers' associations and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. My insight for the future is that we can manage to realize such great events together. Everyone did their best for the people in the stadium and in the city. That gives me courage for all other projects that we will implement here locally for the region."
But the EURO in Gelsenkirchen is not quite over yet: until the final on Sunday (14.7.), the Fan Zone in Gelsenkirchen's Nordsternpark and the Amphitheater will continue to offer public viewing and a colorful stage program. The motto now is: Continue to celebrate soccer and friendship peacefully.
