Decoding the Original Euro 2020 Host- Unraveling the Plans for the Initially Scheduled Tournament Location
Where was Euro 2020 originally supposed to be held? The much-anticipated football tournament, which was initially scheduled to take place in 2020, had its hosting venues spread across multiple countries in Europe. The concept of a pan-European tournament was a first for the UEFA European Championship, and it was intended to showcase the continent’s footballing prowess. However, unforeseen circumstances led to a series of changes that reshaped the tournament’s landscape.
The original plan for Euro 2020 had the tournament hosted by 12 different countries across Europe. These countries included the host nation, the Netherlands, and the co-hosts, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Scotland, and Spain. The idea was to create a truly European event that would not only bring together fans from all over the continent but also provide a unique opportunity for the participating countries to showcase their respective cultures and footballing traditions.
The tournament was initially set to kick off on June 12, 2020, and conclude on July 12, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UEFA announced in March 2020 that the tournament would be postponed. The decision was made in response to the growing concerns about the spread of the virus and its impact on public health. UEFA then proposed to reschedule the tournament for the following year, 2021.
Despite the postponement, the idea of hosting the tournament across multiple countries remained. The rescheduled tournament was initially scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 11, 2021. However, due to the ongoing pandemic and the challenges it presented, UEFA eventually decided to move the tournament to a single host country. This decision was made to simplify the logistics and reduce the risks associated with traveling between countries.
In April 2021, UEFA announced that the tournament would be held in the host nation, the Netherlands, and co-hosted by Austria. This change meant that the tournament would be played in 11 cities across the two countries. The decision to host the tournament in the Netherlands and Austria was seen as a way to honor the original concept of a pan-European tournament while ensuring the safety of all participants and fans.
In conclusion, the original plan for Euro 2020 was to be held across 12 European countries, showcasing the continent’s footballing diversity. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was postponed and eventually held in the Netherlands and Austria, with 11 cities hosting the matches. The changes to the tournament’s hosting structure highlight the challenges faced by organizers in navigating the complexities of a global pandemic and its impact on major sporting events.
