EURO 2024 Guide – Experience the German football culture
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The Hungarian national football team participates in Germany 2024 for the third European Championship in a row. What can Fans and the national squad expect from Germany as this year’s host, and what can you be excited about?
Germany’s summer dream, 2006
Germany has quite some knowledge when it comes to hosting big football events. The last time they had the chance to showcase their ability to take care of the world’s best athletes accompanied by crowds of fans was in 2006. That time, the whole world was hospitable for the FIFA World Cup.
The organizers as well as the German people were praised for their neatness, hospitality and their sense for perfect organization. Even though the host cities became a melting pot for fans of various cultures and backgrounds, there were no signs of trouble or the feeling, the Germans couldn’t handle the situation.
These are the venues
For the Hungarian national team, the campaign will start on the second day of the tournament with the decisive match against Switzerland. The venue for this match will be Cologne, a city as German as it gets. Even though the founding of the city took place under Roman rule almost 2000 years ago, Cologne has established and reinvented itself over the centuries. Landmarks of the Rhine Metropolis are the Dome, the old town and of course the Cologne Stadium. The venue can host 46’000 spectators and spreads some old football charm through the rectangle shape.
Luckily, the next two games take place at the same venue in Stuttgart. The city is considered to be the “cradle of the automobile” and lies in between vineyards and the river Neckar. The city itself hosts a lot of different industries and is also well known as the second-biggest financial center in Germany. The cultural offer is also huge and dates back until the Roman era. But the fans will mainly spend their time alongside their heroes in the MHPArena (60’000), one of the biggest venues at the tournament.
Both stadiums are easy to reach from the Hungarian base camp, which will be located in Weiler im Allgäu, close to the Austrian border in the south of Germany.
Germany’s enthusiastic fans
One of the stereotypes about Germans is that they are very distant and well-thought. This is true, until they hear the whistle blow and the ball gets kicked-off. Then you will see them transform into loud and enthusiastic football fanatics. Luckily, their sense for structures and rules is still in charge of their behavior. This lets them be one of the best crowds worldwide.
After enjoying their national beverage, which is beer, they become very sociable and talkative. But you would never need to fear them to be aggressive, since they can handle themselves pretty well even under the influence.
Often you will see them on their mobile, since Germans like to bet on their national team and compare the best betting offers, because they are very economical about most aspects of everyday life.
Food and beverage
As mentioned, in Germany football and beer belong together like Siegfried and Roy. The chance is huge, that you will see everybody with a cup of beer in their hands. Before, during and after the match. They won’t be able to greet you or even shake your hands, since often enough in the other hand they will have a Sausage (“Wurst”).
There are many delicious foods to enjoy in Germany, especially if you visit Stuttgart, you would find many different dishes. Even though beer is omnipresent, Germans also like to have a glass of white wine (Riesling), which is cultured on the shores of the Rhine.
Athletic competition
Regarding the athletic challenges, the Hungarians will also meet with Germany on the pitch. Sharing the Group with the host is always difficult, especially since we are talking about Germany.
Furthermore, the other competitors, Scotland and Switzerland, can be hard to win against. For more information, you will find all important facts and insight to Hungary’s opponents here.
Potential scope of success
Should the Hungarian national team overcome all obstacles and get to the next round, the hurdles naturally only would get bigger. In case of finishing the group second, they would most likely compete against Italy or Spain (runner-up group B).
If they can accomplish the sensation and win the group, they would have to compete against the runner-up of group C, most likely Serbia or Denmark.
Luckily, also the best third of this group can qualify for the next round, which could give Hungary an extra chance at the end of the group stage.
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