EM 2024: Hungarians give Hitler salute, German fan damages a tunnel

More than 30 criminal charges have been filed in connection with the European Championship match between Germany and Hungary in Stuttgart. These were for bodily harm and violations of the explosives law, and Hungarian fans also gave the Hitler salute, the Stuttgart police announced after the DFB selection’s 2-0 win on Wednesday evening.

Overall, the operational balance for the high-risk game was positive. There were no major incidents, reported the Stuttgart Police Headquarters and the Stuttgart Federal Police Directorate.

According to reports, fans of both teams repeatedly set off smoke bombs on their way to the stadium. Around 8,000 Hungarian supporters and 5,000 German fans took part in the fan marches. When officers checked around 60 German hooligans shortly after 6 p.m., they found 12 people carrying weapons and disguising material during the search, it was reported. A judge therefore ordered custody to prevent acts of violence.

A German fan, who was standing with other people on the platform of a fan bus, ripped cables from the ceiling during the journey through the Schwanenplatz tunnel. The tunnel on the federal highway 14 was temporarily closed.

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According to the Federal Police, around 10,000 German fans and around 2,000 Hungarian fans used the train for their departure.

04:10 am – Portuguese police officer catches thieves in Leipzig

As part of the European Championships, police officers from participating countries are also being deployed in Germany to support the federal police – and rightly so, as it turns out. A Portuguese police officer in Leipzig caught a pickpocket he knew. He caught him red-handed. The officer recognized the 48-year-old Romanian in the main train station and pursued him together with his German colleagues, the federal police announced on Wednesday. They observed him tampering with a traveler’s backpack.

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Luggage theft on the train

A short time later, the man threw an almost empty wallet into a trash can. Inside was the ID of the passenger who had been robbed, a Czech. According to police, the suspect was carrying 2,100 Czech crowns and 100 euros in cash and was arrested. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against him for theft.

02:38: Fines for Serbia and Albania

The European football union UEFA has fined the Serbian and Albanian associations 10,000 euros each for “provocative” messages from fans. UEFA did not provide any details on Wednesday. The Serbian association must also pay a fine of 4,500 euros because objects were thrown from the stands. Albania lost 2-1 to Italy in the first group match in Dortmund on Saturday. The association must also pay a total of 27,375 euros for various other offenses committed by fans. UEFA listed the setting off of fireworks, throwing objects and entering the pitch.

21:10: Shaw’s comeback postponed again

Luke Shaw hasn’t worn the Three Lions’ jersey for a long time – and the break continues for now. The 28-year-old left-back from Manchester United is not yet ready for the second group match against Denmark on Thursday (6 p.m./ZDF and MagentaTV), for which a comeback was targeted. Coach Gareth Southgate said this on Wednesday in Frankfurt.

“Luke will not be there. We thought it might be quicker. He needs a bit more volume, he didn’t train with the boys today. He is also doing his individual program,” said Southgate in the press conference. The defensive player was the only professional who was unable to take part in the final training session.

Due to various muscle injuries, Shaw has missed almost the entire season. He has not played in a game since mid-February.

19:55: Germany moves into the round of 16

Germany has also won its second group match at the European Championships and has already qualified for the round of 16. Ilkay Gündogan and Jamal Musiala are outstanding against Hungary. It’s not an exhilarating performance this time, but that could be a good omen.

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19:27: Orbán at the match against Germany – “A matter that has not yet been resolved”

At a reception in Stuttgart Castle, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann praised “the peaceful coexistence of both peoples” and did not talk about state affairs. “I am pleased that I was able to be among politicians and did not have to talk about politics at all. Only about sport and friendship,” said Orbán before the European Championship duel between hosts Germany and Hungary this Wednesday (6 p.m./ARD/Magenta TV).

Kretschmann advocated international cooperation, “because we here in Baden-Württemberg notice how good it is – economically, socially and atmospherically,” said the 76-year-old. Kretschmann had already stated beforehand that he hoped for a speech by Orbán that would only be about friendship and football.

Both politicians also recalled the 1954 World Cup final. It is now 70 years since the “Miracle of Bern”, in which Germany became world champions with a 3-2 victory over Hungary. “This is still an unresolved matter. It must be clarified,” said Orbán. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also expected to join them in the Stuttgart Arena. Unlike DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, he was not there at the palace at midday.

18:02: German fans damage tunnel

According to police, when German fans walked together to the Stuttgart stadium, people damaged the technology in a tunnel on the B14 federal highway so badly that it had to be temporarily closed. Fans apparently damaged cables from an open-topped double-decker bus, a spokesman said before the game against Hungary. The technology was repaired on Wednesday afternoon. At around 5:44 p.m., the police reported on Platform X that the Schwanenplatz tunnel heading into the city had been reopened to traffic.

Around 5,000 people took part in each of the two fan marches, said the spokesman. No other incidents were reported at first. Apart from that, the city has been peaceful so far, said the spokesman shortly before kick-off.

17:42: Germany secures place in the round of 16 with victory

A win against Hungary is enough for the German team to advance to the round of 16 – regardless of the outcome of the following match between Switzerland and Scotland in Group A. After the 2:2 draw between Croatia and Albania, it is clear that the DFB team, with at least six points, will be among the four best third-placed teams in the group, who will also qualify for the knockout round.

Since the third-placed teams in Group C can no longer get six points due to the draws between Denmark and Slovenia (1:1) and in Group B after the dramatic 2:2 between Croatia and Albania, Germany is certain to advance with three more points after the 5:1 opening match against Scotland and a win against Hungary.

17:00: Albania takes a point from Croatia

After the opening defeat against Spain, Croatia was under pressure in their second European Championship group match. Like against Italy, Albania took an early lead, but then suffered a double blow. The rollercoaster ride only ended in injury time.

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16:35: Traffic chaos before kick-off

The countdown to the German national football team’s second European Championship match has begun. The match against Hungary kicks off in Stuttgart at 6 p.m. It’s hard to miss in the host city: traffic chaos in Stuttgart.

Hours before the game, the streets and train stations are clogged – also because of numerous construction sites. Sirens all day. Lots of police. Lots of traffic. Many people are very annoyed. Fan marches, construction sites and rush hour traffic, a cordoned off city center because of the fan mile – a difficult mix. Many people are switching to e-scooters and the S-Bahn. Robin Gosens, who works as a TV expert for Magenta, is also stuck on the way to the stadium, but by train – will he make it in time? Uncertain.

Stuttgart before the Germany match

What: Julien Wolff

A spokesman for the city of Stuttgart said in response to a request from WELT: “The traffic situation is as tense as expected. We expected 150,000 fans to come to Stuttgart today during the course of the day. This will test patience, especially for those who want or need to drive to Stuttgart. The FanWalks are taking place at a time when we also have the usual rush hour traffic. We are keeping an eye on the situation and are providing extensive information about current traffic.”

16:23: “We are ready to get dirty,” says Italy’s coach

Italy’s national coach Luciano Spalletti has emphasised the importance of the prestigious European Championship classic with Spain and promised full commitment from his players. “We are being equipped by Giorgio Armani, who is known all over the world,” said the 65-year-old before the duel between the two former world champions on Thursday (9 p.m./ZDF/Magenta TV) in Gelsenkirchen. “We will go into the game well dressed and ready to get dirty if necessary.”

Luciano Spalletti

Source: dpa/Bernd Thissen

He described the second European Championship game as “one of the most important of my career”. Spalletti has great respect for Spain, which beat Croatia 3-0 in the opening match of the European Championship: “Spain has everything, both in terms of team unity and individual qualities.” He greatly appreciates the offensive play of Luis de la Fuente’s team and the Spanish football school: “It’s a football that I really like.”

All games of the home European Championship at a glance:

Schedule of the European Championship 2024 with all results
European Championship schedule as PDF to print