Innsbruck gets the ball rolling for Euro 2008

During the last 3 weeks in June Innsbruck, the heart of the Alps, beats to the sound of football fever as it is transformed into a vast haven for football fans, when the world turns its attentions to football for EURO 2008. The city is hosting three preliminary round matches, hosting teams from Spain, Sweden and Russia, while the capital of Austria, Vienna, hosts the final.

When the whistle blows in Innsbruck’s newly refurbished Tivoli stadium on the 10th June, kicking-off the first match out of three, the atmosphere will be buzzing above the city as well as vast video screens will record the action for public viewing, as high up as 1900m on the Seegrube mountains, the backdrop to the city.

Ironically, though England isn’t represented in the championships, the heart of Innsbruck’s football fan scene will be in a venue whose dramatic, cobra-like ski jump was created by top London based architect, Zaha Hadid.

More usually associated with ski jumping, and home to the Winter Olympic Games of 1964 and 1976, the Bergisel Arena will be the centre of the official `Fan Zone’. Here, 15,000 fans will be able to watch UEFA EURO 2008 free of charge as every game will be shown on a massive 84 m2, the biggest used in EURO 2008.

Also designed by Hadid are the newly completed, sci-fi like lower rail stations for a train that also takes visitors up the adjacent Hungerburg mountains, from where cable cars complete the 20 the Seegrube. Here, at almost 2,000 metres altitude, just over 20 minutes from the very heart of the city, fans can watch the action on screens in the Seegrube Restaurant, one of the European Football Championships highest viewing platforms.

Back in the town centre the historic and chic Maria Theresien Street has designated the official fan mile, with its mountainous backdrop, shopping in the elegant Rathausgalerien, eating and drinking in ancient and atmospheric bars and cafes, and a kids’ programme of entertainment planned for the football weeks.

Hotels will be in high demand, in Innsbruck and its 25 satellite holiday villages. Making use of every available space, the grounds of the exhibition centre will become a vast Fan Camp, offering budget accommodation for the European Football Championships. Close to big screen action and right in the heart of

Further information: Tirol08.at