And so a competition of nations, a European Championship, strengthens the European idea. Paradoxically, the special charm of a European Championship comes from the fact that the tactical level is lower than in the club game. Yet it is the diversity of the people who are enthusiastic about football that makes a European Championship so special. In Germany, the nation with the best European Championship record, Joachim Löw wanted to initiate a shake-up two years ago. Nevertheless, this European Championship will hopefully also be a people’s festival, a free, peaceful competition of nations.

Source: The Guardian June 07, 2021 18:56 UTC