The Eurocup has given life to many areas of Germany. One of them is the downtrodden Ruhr Basin, where its tourist attractions are minimal, but football makes it the center of the world for a few weeks. Gelserkinchen will have the privilege of hosting this Thursday a continental football classic such as un España-Italia.
The Spanish fans are among those that traditionally attract the smallest number of followers. However, In this Eurocup their mobilization has increased significantly. In Berlin they already made themselves noticed, despite the Croatian superiority, but against Italy they will give even more color with the presence of about 12,000 followers in the stands.
The ‘Red Tide’ will color the stands of the Schalke auf Arena, with a capacity for 65,000 spectators, and a similar or slightly higher presence of Italian fans is expected, completed with local fans. The stadium will be full, like all the stadiums in this Euro Cup, which is turning out a success both for its sporting appeal and for the appearance of the stands.
Luis de la Fuente celebrates with the fans the victory against Croatia in the Euro Cup / Sefutbol
After the weak World Cup in Qatar, football fans, in this case Europe, wanted to experience a great competition normally, something that has not happened since the 2016 Euro Cup in France. In the previous Euro, in 2021, Covid-19 greatly limited the movement of fans and In Qatar it was very complex and expensive to travel to support their teams.
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However, in Germany football has regained its spark. The good location of the country in the center of the continent, its affordable prices and good communications abroad have made it easier for fans to travel en masse, including the always reluctant Spanish one.
Of course, all that glitters is not gold. Displaced fans and media have been surprised by the collapsed German roads due to the multitude of works that turn any road trip into an odyssey. Traffic jams are the order of the day and It is much more advisable to travel by train or, if finances allow, by plane.
The legendary Schalke 04
In any case, football can handle everything and The Rhur mining area is experiencing happiness in having several venues for the Euro Cup. Gelsenkirchen is one of the most symbolic because of its legendary Schalke 04 team, remembered in Spain because Raúl González played, but with a much broader history. Now they are experiencing tough times in Bundesliga 2, but their stadium is five stars and hosted the 2004 Champions League final and hosted the 2006 World Cup.
Raúl González, symbol of the national team, played for Schalke 04 / EFE
Gelsenkirchen does not have great attractions for visitors. Not at all. Its industrial warehouses do not attract attention nor do its unattractive streets., although it has a much more important power, that of football. The city is prepared with its fan zone to welcome visitors and serve them their numerous beers to liven up the day.
Its picturesque yellow tram, which passes on the same lane as the cars With the apparent danger that this entails, it will transport the fans to the remote Schalke 04 stadium. Public transportation is the only way to access a luxury venue.
Spain hopes to leave its mark on its fans and add a second victory before returning to North Rhineland on Monday to play in Düsseldof against Albania with the ticket for the round of 16 in his pocket.
2024-06-20 04:51:09
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