NYON – Germany was awarded the right to host the Euro 2024 finals by UEFA on Thursday.
This is how leading figures reacted:
Ex-Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who will head the organising committee: “I am very proud, it was unbelievably tense - you never know what is going to happen.
“We have a lot of plans and together we want to celebrate a huge football festival with the whole of Europe.”
German Football officials after the announcement in Switzerland. Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Germany coach Joachim Loew
: “A tournament like this is exceptional for a country. You could feel the tension, we were all very excited and are all now very happy. Everyone in the association can now plan ahead.”
Steffen Seibert
, the spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel: “Many congratulations for a successful bid. We are looking forward to exciting games at Euro 2024 and the visit from fans from the whole of Europe.”
Turkish Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu
, after UEFA's Executive Committee voted 12-4 for the German bid: “The fact that UEFA, despite all our strengths, has not awarded the European championships to our country is a sad situation.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew (left) and manager Oliver Bierhoff before the start of The Best FIFA Awards. Photo: John Sibley/Reuters
Oliver Bierhoff
, team director of the German national team: “This is a good signal. In addition to a well organised tournament, it is our aim to present a good (German) team to play in it.”