European football exhibition opens in Brussels

An exhibition retracing the evolution of European football and the European Union has just opened as part of the ongoing celebrations taking place in Brussels this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

Organised in conjunction with UEFA, and supported by Lilian Thuram of FC Barcelona, Only a Game? will run until 26 August at the Musées Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire located at the Parc du Cinquantenaire.

The exhibition presents rare artefacts from the Köln Olympic Museum, the Preston Football Museum, the National Museum of French Sports and UEFA, including a George Best shirt from 1971, a Spitting Image puppet of Eric Cantona, the football used in the 1998 World Cup final, Franz Beckenbauer’s 1974 world championship shoes, a Peter Schmeichel Manchester United shirt, one of Zidane’s jerseys and a 1930’s flag from Dick, Kerr’s Ladies of Preston, the most famous early women’s football team.

Other attractions comprise a large chronological frieze tracing the construction of the European Union and of European football, a giant table football game that visitors can walk into, Playstation terminals giving presentations of 24 great footballers whose stories are all linked with the construction of Europe, and a high-tech geography lesson highlighting the locations of the teams that have taken part in this season's UEFA Champions League.

Star players and their careers are also featured, as well as artworks on the topic of regional, national or European identity seen through football, with a contribution from UK based football writer and sports journalist Simon Kuper.

”Through its broad approach, the exhibition should be a chance for the whole family to experience the emotions of football - even if they are not fans," said designer Olivier Guilbaud. "We want to offer an entertaining experience for the whole family and make use of new technologies that allow people to take part in the exhibition, touch objects and play with screens. But we also want to make them think and ask questions: What do Europe and football have in common? Does football make us more European, or reinforce our national and local identities? Why are some countries members of UEFA, but not of the EU?"

For more information visit Onlyagame.be.