# Opdracht 1: Everything you need to know about the European Championship 2024!

The biggest tournament in European football is on.

The European Championship (or Euros for short) is an international tournament for teams from Europe. There will be two home nations playing in the tournament - after England and Scotland both qualified for this summer's competition.

But what can we expect and which countries should we be looking out for?

Here's everything you need to know about Euro 2024...

## Where is Euro 2024 taking place?

Three-time winners Germany are the host nation for this summer's tournament - the 17th edition of the competition. West Germany hosted the tournament back in 1988, however 2024 will be the first time the country has hostedthe European Championship since East and West Germany reunited in October 1990.

## Which cities are hosting Euro 2024 matches?

There will be 51 games staged across 10 stadiums over the course of the month.

Germany have 10 host cities for this summer's tournament:

Euro 2024 host cities and venues

Berlin: Olympiastadion (70,000 capacity)

Cologne: Cologne Stadium (47,000)

Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (66,000)

Dusseldorf: Dusseldorf Arena (47,000)

Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (48,000)

Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)

Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (50,000)

Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (42,000)

Munich: Munich Football Arena (67,000)

Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (54,000)

## Is there a Euro 2024 mascot?

Yes, there is! Meet Albärt - Euro 2024's official mascot. Albärt the teddy bear is the official mascot for Euro 2024. Organisers decided to choose a teddy bear as a tribute to the popular children's toy, which is said to have originated in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Albärt was chosen through a vote, involving schoolchildren from across Europe.

## Who are the current champions?

Italy are the defending champions, they won the previous tournament which took place in 2021. The result meant that Italy held the trophy to take their second Euros title. The country also has four World Cup wins.

## Which countries are taking part?

As hosts, Germany automatically qualified for Euro 2024. The tournament will begin with a group stage consisting of six groups of four teams.

Here are this year's groups:

Euro 2024 groups

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine

Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

## What is the name of the Euro trophy and when was it created?

The official name of the Euro trophy is the Henri Delaunay Cup.

It's named after Uefa's first general secretary who came up with the idea of having a European competition for national teams. The original Henri Delaunay trophy was presented at the first ever Euros tournament in 1960, however the trophy that's currently given out is actually a different cup. Uefa decided that they wanted to improve on the quality and size of the trophy as they felt the original one was too small - so a new trophy was commissioned and made, ready for the Euro 2008 finals.

## Which countries are favourites to win Euro 2024?

France, who closely missed out on winning the World Cup in 2022, are one of the favourites to go all the way in Germany. But it won't be easy as there are plenty of other teams hoping to become European champions. Italy will be looking to defend the title they won in 2021, and England who were runners-up three years ago, will be aiming to go one better this time round. And finally, Germany will have the advantage of home support and are also expected to do well this summer.