Reaction from UEFA EURO 2020 host cities
Friday, September 19, 2014
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UEFA.com rounds up the reaction from the 12 cities that will host the UEFA EURO 2020 games that will conclude with the semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium in London.
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Azerbaijan/Baku – three group games, one quarter-final
Nazim Suleymanov, former Azerbaijan international striker
I'm very proud and happy for our country. It's a big deal to get the right to host such a big tournament. I want to congratulate all the football people of Azerbaijan. I believe our national team will give the fans something to cheer about with their performances and results. I think the people in Azerbaijan have to unite to organise EURO 2020 in the best way.
Denmark/Copenhagen – three group games, one round of 16 game
Morten Olsen, Denmark coach
It is fantastic news for all Danes that we have been found good enough to host a European Championship. We may be a small country, but we should be happy to have been found better than many other nations. This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I hope that all Danes will support this championship. This opportunity is not likely to come by again.
Germany/Munich – three group games, one quarter-final
Joachim Löw, Germany coach
As a coach I have not put any thought into EURO 2020 yet – my thoughts are only two years ahead and on qualification for EURO 2016 in France. I think it is a great idea to involve all of Europe in a tournament, though. Munich will provide a fantastic stage.
Wolfgang Niersbach, German Football Association (DFB) president
I am extremely happy. Look at all the events we have staged in the past – the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and the upcoming final in Berlin – and now this. It's great that we've been able to do all this in German football. Our next goal is to make a bid for UEFA EURO 2024, but we have reached our first goal and we are on the map for EURO 2020.
Dieter Reiter, mayor of Munich
I congratulate my colleagues from London, they have put in an outstanding bid. I am sure we will experience a football festival when the German national team comes to Munich.
Hungary/Budapest – three group games, one round of 16 game
Sándor Csányi, Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) president
If we qualify, we are guaranteed two home matches and could even play a knockout round tie at home as well. Our bid was trusted because of the various stadium projects across the country, the ongoing development of the country's infrastructure, the geographical position of Budapest and its public transport and exceptional accommodation options.
Italy/Rome – three group games, one quarter-final
Antonio Conte, Italy coach
UEFA's decision is a great reward for Italian football, an opportunity to grow and an important showcase for our entire football community. I'm working as coach but am also responsible for the youth sector, so my job is certainly orientated towards the future and my objective is to help those young players who could have a major role at EURO 2020 to grow. Also, the opportunity to play some EURO 2020 games at home will be an extra motivation.
Carlo Tavecchio, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president
After the Europa League final in Turin just a few months ago, with the 2016 Champions League in Milan and participation in EURO 2020, Italy will be a point of reference for European football in the coming years. At the same time, the format of EURO 2020 will help to create a common identity among the people of our continent.
Netherlands/Amsterdam – three group games, one round of 16 game
Bert van Oostveen, Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) director of professional football
A tournament played in 12 European cities is something we have to be part of. Seeing our ambition, our fans and the impact of football in the Netherlands, we belong in the list of host cities. Millions of Dutch people enjoy football and certainly enjoy watching the Oranje in final tournaments. The Oranje fans are appreciated in every host nation because of the atmosphere they bring. They deserve for such a big tournament to return to the Netherlands 20 years [after UEFA EURO 2000].
Republic of Ireland/Dublin – three group games, one round of 16 game
Tony Fitzgerald, Football Association of Ireland (FAI) president
Attracting an event of this stature is a major boost for all of the volunteers involved throughout Ireland in running football. I thank UEFA for recognising the quality of our bid and look forward to helping everyone involved in Irish football lay the groundwork for a landmark year in our game.
John Delaney, FAI chief executive
I would like to thank Michel Platini and the UEFA Executive Committee for their decision to award this honour to Ireland against strong competition from all over Europe. In 2020 the [FAI] will be entering its 100th year and this one-off opportunity to host part of the European finals at our home stadium will provide a major boost for Irish football and the country as a whole.
Romania/Bucharest – three group games, one round of 16 game
Victor Piturca, Romania coach
I didn't even dare to hope several years ago that a day would come when we would host such a final tournament. But I started to hope when the National Arena was built. The decision taken today is a big achievement, especially for a country like ours, but we have to be well aware that the task will be very difficult. Also, we need a new generation in order to qualify and from this point of view the signs are encouraging.
Russia/Saint Petersburg – three group games, one quarter-final
Nikolai Tolstykh, Russian Football Union (RFS) president
It's very good that the football community has entrusted us with UEFA EURO 2020 matches. This is a sign of trust in us from European football. We were anxious as we had strong competitors.
Nikita Simonyan, RFS first vice-president
We were confident Saint Petersburg would get the honour of staging UEFA EURO 2020 matches because everybody knows that this city knows how to stage major events.
Scotland/Glasgow – three group games, one round of 16 game
Stewart Regan, Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive
It is wonderful news and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved from the outset of what has been a fantastic bid. I believe Glasgow and Hampden Park will throw a fitting birthday party for the European Championship and I know the whole country will make it an occasion to remember.
Shona Robison, Scotland cabinet secretary for sport
EURO 2020 coming to Glasgow will be brilliant for football and for Scotland. Fans from across Europe will want to come here to soak up an amazing party atmosphere, while we'll hear the 'Hampden Roar' just as loud in many different languages. Whichever teams make it, hundreds of thousands of fans will receive a great Scottish welcome.
Spain/Bilbao – three group games, one round of 16 game
Ángel María Villar Llona, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president
I have to express my profound satisfaction at the choice of Bilbao. It's not just historically one of the pioneering cities in the development of football, but also a place where you can guarantee passion for football – the sport its citizens love most. The fact it has been chosen is recognition of its indisputable merits and you can be certain the games that take place at San Mamés will be a huge success. We should all be happy about this choice.