Generous bonuses, strict fines from UEFA, a Georgian billionaire in a spending mood and a special kind of Danish interview. The European Championship splinters from Thursday.
27.06.2024, 16:28
27.06.2024, 16:55
SDA
Expensive beer cups
UEFA giveth, UEFA taketh away. With the entry fee, one win, two draws and reaching the round of 16, the Swiss association has already collected 12.75 million euros. If the team makes it through to the round of 16 on Saturday, a further 2.5 million euros will be added.
As generous as the European association is when it comes to bonuses, it is just as strict when it comes to fines. Because beer cups were thrown onto the pitch after Breel Embolo's 3:1 goal in the match against Hungary, UEFA fined the Swiss association 40,000 euros. This was followed by further incidents involving beer cups, paper balls, two small pyros and a banned KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) flag in the Swiss fan block. The fines amounted to a total of 91,000 euros. In view of the round of 16, the SFA wants to sensitize the fans and asks them to keep a firm grip on their beer cups even when emotions are running high.
Millions from the billionaire
After the Georgian national team's victory against Portugal, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's joy was boundless. The former head of government of Georgia unceremoniously promised the team a bonus of 30 million lari (9.5 million francs) after reaching the round of 16. The country's richest man, who is honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, made the announcement in Tbilisi on Thursday. Ivanishvili held out the prospect of a further 30 million lari if the team also won the round of 16 against Spain.
A Danish father-son interview
Since the 1988 European Championship in Germany, a Danish goalkeeping family has shaped two eras of Danish football. Kasper Schmeichel (37) is captain of the current team and will play his 104th international match in the round of 16 against Germany, while his father Peter (60) is a Danish legend and the country's record international player to date with 121 games. Now the two had a special encounter in Frankfurt: TV pundit Peter interviewed goalkeeper Kasper after the Danes' 1:1 draw against England.
Peter Schmeichel is working for the American broadcaster Fox Sports during the European Championship. For a moment, the 60-year-old threw all his professionalism overboard and hugged his son in front of the cameras. "I do a lot of interviews, but I never do that normally," emphasized the senior.
"Things are looking good - for Denmark"
Union Berlin's new coach Bo Svensson sees his Danish compatriots as underdogs in the European Championship round of 16 against Germany, but not without a chance. "I think it looks good - just for Denmark," said the 44-year-old with a laugh when asked about his prediction for the game on Saturday evening. He had the impression that everyone in the German press expected the DFB team to progress, said Svensson. "Germany are the favorites, that's clear. But I think it will be more difficult than many people imagine." Denmark are "an experienced team that I wouldn't underestimate as a German".
Ronaldo's moment of shock
A fan caused a moment of shock on Wednesday evening in Gelsenkirchen by jumping from the stands towards Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal's superstar was on his way from the pitch to the players' tunnel after his team's 2-0 defeat against Georgia when a supporter suddenly jumped towards him with an outstretched leg. It would probably have been a collision if a steward hadn't used all his physical strength to fend off the man. Ronaldo, who is used to fans storming the pitch for selfies with him, reacted to the situation with a look of surprise and incomprehension.
