Start of EURO 2024

Moving Beckenbauer moment at the EURO opening ceremony

Heidi Beckenbauer accompanied by Bernard Dietz (l) and Jürgen Klinsmann.(Bild: AFP or licensors)

EURO 2024 kicks off in Germany on Friday with plenty of spectacle and a goosebump-inducing moment. Franz Beckenbauer's widow brought the European Championship trophy into the Munich stadium at the opening ceremony - creating the first big moment of the tournament. 

The "Krone" reports from Munich

Rien ne va plus - nothing works anymore! The Munich city council reacted to the enormous crowds in the city and temporarily closed Marienplatz as the crowds became too big. Even in the fan zone in the Olympic Park, where 30,000 spectators wanted to watch the opening game, the message was: "Please don't drive here anymore!"

Ten-minute opening show
The European Championship arena in Munich was also completely sold out, seating 66,000 spectators. And witnessed an opening ceremony that will live long in the memory. Because - although it only lasted just under ten minutes - it offered spectacle, entertainment and goosebumps in equal measure.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Moving Beckenbauer moment
There was a tear or two in the eyes of many visitors when Franz Beckenbauer's widow Heidi, who was accompanied by Jürgen Klinsmann and Bernhard Dietz, was allowed to carry the European Championship trophy onto the Munich pitch. At the end, she even sent a kiss to her Franz in the sky! A very emotional scene at the start of EURO 2024 ...