The downright modest opening ceremony of the European Championship
Stand: 9:52 p.m.
A little fireworks, a little dance and an opera star – the opening ceremony of the European Championship was really just a prelude to the opening game
Those: AFP / ANDREW MEDICHINI
The European Championship started with the opening match between Italy and Turkey. Before the game there was the obligatory opening ceremony. It was not very pompous, the 16,000 fans quickly took over the command in the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Follow the opening game here in the live ticker
After 14 minutes it was over again. Then the focus was on football and the fans took command in the Olympic Stadium in Rome. There is no European Championship without an opening ceremony – this of course applies to the first European Championship, which will be held across the continent. Before the opening game between Italy and Turkey, Uefa started their tournament with an appropriate ceremony.
At 8:37 p.m., the former Italian internationals Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta welcomed the fans in the stadium. A couple of missiles kicked off the opening ceremony. To the music of a large band, 24 large balloons were carried onto the lawn to symbolize the participating nations.
24 participating national teams, 24 large balloons – Uefa kept the opening ceremony simple
Those: AP / Alberto Lingria
There was a bit of dancing, some fireworks and, above all, drumming. The men and women at the kettledrons were the only extravaganza the ceremony organizers allowed themselves. While the musicians were beating their drums, they were pulled on ropes under the stadium roof.
Andrea Bocelli is celebrated frenetically
They were replaced by Andrea Bocelli, who sang “Nessun dorma” by Giacomo Puccini. The Italian opera star was celebrated frenetically by the fans. When the 62-year-old left the lawn, DJ Martin Garrix and U2 stars Bono and The Edge appeared on the green. But only virtually. They presented their EM song “We Are The People” in a video in which the playing field was transformed into a white-blue flame.
Andrea Bocelli thrilled the fans in the Olympic Stadium
Those: AFP / ANDREW MEDICHINI
The performance was filmed in 3D in the Römer Stadium and in a London film studio. “The opening ceremony at the Olimpico in Rome will be a fitting prelude to the tournament,” said Uefa marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein before the ceremony.
The foreplay was modest and appropriate for the situation. The fans were happy, but also happy that they were able to take command of the stadium after just under fifteen minutes. When Bono and Co. virtually disappeared again, the fan chants immediately echoed through the Olympic Stadium.
Follow the opening game here in the live ticker
.
