Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PICS: Euro 2020 kicks-off with fireworks, balloons after year-long delay

June 12, 2021 02:57 IST

A general view of the opening ceremony inside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Turkey and Italy, on Friday.

IMAGE: A general view of the opening ceremony inside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Turkey and Italy, on Friday. Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The Euro 2020 soccer championship finally got underway on Friday after a year-long delay with a colourful fireworks show and choreography featuring balloons representing the 24 teams in Rome's sparsely populated Stadio Olimpico.

 

Only some 16,000 fans were admitted for the opening match between Italy and Turkey, around 25 percent of capacity, after authorities kept a firm cap on attendance at the tournament due to COVID-19 concerns.

Trying to pump up excitement, which has been largely missing in Rome in the run up to the kick-off, Italian soccer greats and 2006 World Cup winners Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta welcomed fans at the opening ceremony.

Tenor Andrea Bocelli performs Giacomo Puccini's 'Nessun dorma' at the opening ceremony.

IMAGE: Tenor Andrea Bocelli performs Giacomo Puccini's 'Nessun dorma' at the opening ceremony. Photograph: Andrew Medichini/Getty Images

Tenor Andrea Bocelli sang Nessun Dorma, U2 band stars Bono and The Edge performed with DJ Martin Garrix via a video link, while fireworks flared from the roof of the stadium and the pitch, leaving a trail of coloured smoke through the arena.

Although few in number, supporters cheered their return to the stands after a year when most games were played before empty terraces to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"We bought the tickets more than two years ago, and finally we are here", said Mattia Valentini, 27, holding an Italian flag with his cousin Edoardo Valentini, 23, outside the stadium.

Trapeze artists perform at the opening ceremony.

IMAGE: Trapeze artists perform at the opening ceremony. Photograph: Andrew Medichini/Getty Images

Fellow Italy fan Vito, 34, came from the southern region of Puglia with six friends. The match is part of his bachelor party and they all donned an Azzurri shirt saying "Vito is getting married".

Groups of noisy Turkish fans decked out in red and white also reached Rome, brushing aside coronavirus fears.

"The situation in the world is getting better, we are really happy and we are looking forward to a match with people and not in an empty stadium," said Turkey supporter Harun Kalkat.

To accommodate supporters outside the stadium, organisers have set up a soccer village at the central Piazza del Popolo, which can hold a maximum of 1,680 fans.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.