Explainers

EURO 2020 is in full swing after an excruciating wait.And fans watching on the box will have noticed varying attendances across the eleven host cities.
Wembley will be one of the main venues for Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
Which cities are hosting Euro 2020?
This summer’s competition will be hosted in 11 different cities, down from the original 12.
The stadiums hosting the competition are as follows:

Wembley Stadium – London, England
Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
Olympic Stadium – Baku, Azerbaijan
Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russia
Arena Nationala – Bucharest, Romania
Johan Cruyff Arena – Amsterdam, Holland
Estadio de la Cartuja – Sevilla, Spain
Puskas Arena – Budapest, Hungary
Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
Parken Stadium – Copenhagen, Denmark

How many Euro 2020 games are in England?
Eight. Wembley will host all three England group games, two round of 16 games, two semi-finals and the final.
How many Euro 2020 games are in Scotland?
Four. Hampden Park will have two of Scotland’s games and the Croatia vs Czech Republic group game.
The Glasgow stadium will also host the final round-of-16 game.

Which countries are still hosting Euro 2020 and how many fans will they allow?
The following countries are hosting the competition.
ENGLAND
Wembley Stadium, London (90,000 capacity)
Wembley is set to host the Euro 2020 final
Wembley is set to host all England’s group matches, plus the Euro 2020 semi-final and final.
The FA have committed to hold their group games at a 25 per cent capacity.
However, this is likely to increase for the semi-final and final, with talk of a 50 per cent, or even a full capacity for those games.
The National Stadium will also host the last 16 match initially scheduled for Dublin, which will involve England if they win their group.
Fans must show a negative Covid test or proof of two doses of an approved vaccine to enter.
SCOTLAND
Hampden Park, Glasgow (51,866 capacity)
Scotland has given Hampden Park the go-ahead for Euro 2020 matchesCredit: PA:Press Association
After months of speculation, the Scottish FA confirmed that Scotland would be able to host Euro 2020.
Hampden Park is the venue for two of Scotland’s Euro 2020 group games, plus Croatia’s match against the Czech Republic and one last 16 match.
It will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
Fans in Scotland will not need a ‘vaccine passport’ to enter games at Hampden, but social distancing will be 1.5 metres compared to one metre in England.
AZERBAIJAN
Olympic Stadium, Baku (68,700 capacity)
Baku will host matches at a 50 per cent capacityCredit: Reuters
Azerbaijan is hosting all three Group A matches not involving Italy, as well as a quarter-final.
All matches will be held at a 50 per cent capacity.
DENMARK
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen (38,065 capacity)
Copenhagen was the first city to announce it would host Euro 2020 games with fansCredit: Getty – Contributor
Copenhagen is hosting all three of Denmark’s group matches, plus one last 16 match.
The Danish capital was the first city to announce in 2021 that it would host Euro 2020 with fans.
Just stays before their opening match, the Danish FA announced an increase to a 65 per cent capacity for Copenhagen’s games.
RUSSIA
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg (68,134 capacity)
Russia has been holding matches with fans throughout this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
St Petersburg is hosting two of Russia’s three home group games, plus Finland vs Belgium and one quarter-final.
In addition, it has been handed the three group games that were set to be hosted by Dublin.
All matches will be played at a minimum 50 per cent capacity.
Russia has been holding matches at half full stadiums throughout this season, while most of Europe has been playing behind closed doors due to coronavirus.
ROMANIA
Arena Nationala, Bucharest (55,600 capacity)
Romania did not qualify for Euro 2020 but the Arena Nationala will still host gamesCredit: Getty
Romania failed to qualify for Euro 2020 but their national stadium will still host three matches from Group C and one last 16 match.
Games at the Arena Nationala was set to host at a capacity of 25-33 per cent.
However, the Romanian Sports Minister on Thursday, June 10 announced an increase to 50 per cent.
HOLLAND
Johan Cruyff Arena (56,000 capacity)
Amsterdam will be hosting all Holland’s Euro 2020 group gamesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Netherlands was the second country to announce it would host Euro 2020 games, following Denmark.
All Holland’s group games, as well as a last 16 game, are being hosted at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam with a 25-33 per cent capacity able to attend.
The country began piloting matches with fans back in March, with the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
HUNGARY
Puskas Arena, Budapest (67,215 capacity)
Budapest is expecting to host games at full capacityCredit: Getty
Budapest will host two of Hungary’s three group matches, plus a repeat of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.
It will also host one last 16 match.
The Hungarian capital is the only city to announce that games will be hosted at full capacity, subject to strict entry requirements.
67,000 fans are packing in for the game between Portugal and Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been keen to showcase his country on the world stage and reports suggest he has pushed to make sure there is a full crowd in the Puskas Arena.
He said last Friday: “Everyone who is registered [to come the match] will definitely have been vaccinated, and with their vaccination card will have the opportunity to take part in this event.”
You may remember that the same stadium was used to host Champions League matches in the latter stages of the tournament.
The Hungarian FA have hailed the countries vaccine rollout and claimed they want to give “lifetime experience to as many Hungarian fans as possible”.
ITALY
Stadio Olimpico, Rome (72,698 capacity)
Rome has given Uefa the assurances it needsCredit: EPA
Italy was given extra time by Uefa to confirm that it could host fans at Euro 2020.
And the Stadio Olimpico in Rome has announced that it will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
Rome will host all of Italy’s group matches and a quarter-final which could involve England.
GERMANY
Allianz Arena (70,000 capacity)
Munich was the last of the original host cities to agree to host the tournamentCredit: Getty
The last of the original host cities to be announced – Munich was only confirmed on April 23.
The German city has committed to host matches in front of a minimum of 14,500 fans – a 20 per cent capacity – the lowest of all the host cities.
It will show all Germany group games and a quarter-final.
SPAIN
Estadio de la Cartuja, Seville (60,000)
Seville is a last minute addition as a Euro 2020 co-hostCredit: Reuters
A last minute addition, Seville will host the games that would have been held in Bilbao after the Spanish FA deemed the Basque Government’s conditions for hosting matches there “impossible” to meet.
The stadium is well prepared to host games, having been the Spanish FA’s de facto home during the pandemic.
Estadio de la Cartuja has hosted all Spain games, two Copa del Rey finals and the Spanish Super Cup in the past 12 months.
Euro 2020 games there will be played at a 30 per cent capacity.
Which cities have been removed from hosting Euro 2020?
The following countries failed to give Uefa the assurances they need to host Euro 2020.
IRELAND
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (51,700 capacity)
Dublin is the most likely city to miss out on hosting Euro 2020Credit: PA
Dublin will miss out on Euro 2020 after failing to give Uefa guarantees that any fans will be allowed to attend matches.
The Irish capital was set to host three Group E matches and a last 16 game that may well have ended up involving England.
The three group matches it would have hosted have gone to St Petersburg while the last 16 match will be held at Wembley.
SPAIN
San Mames, Bilbao (53,322 capacity)
The Spanish FA have refused to back Bilbao’s submission to UefaCredit: Reuters
Bilbao did commit to meet Uefa’s minimum requirement of a 25 per cent capacity, however the Spanish FA refused to back their submission due to the conditions attached.
The Basque government had stated that it would be able to host games provided 60 per cent of the Basque country and the rest of Spain had been vaccinated and less than two per cent of those in hospital were coronavirus patients.
But the Spanish FA labelled these conditions “impossible” to meet.
As a result, Seville will host the matches that were set for Bilbao.

Will any cities allow fans of other countries to travel?
The following countries are set to allow away fans to travel.
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan has announced that fans of all travelling teams (Wales, Turkey, Switzerland and the two Baku quarter-finalists) will be able to submit a negative PCR test to enter the country instead of quarantining.
This offer only applies to citizens or residents of the participating countries.
RUSSIA
St Petersburg is considering offering exemptions to entry requirements for all foreign residents with match tickets and a negative Covid test.
However, a final decision has not yet been confirmed.
HUNGARY
Foreign ticket holders looking to attend games in Budapest must provide evidence of two negative Covid tests taken in the five days before entering Hungary.
The Hungarian government will also accept a certificate of previous Covid infection in the 6 months before entering the country.
ROMANIA
Romania is considering providing an exemption to quarantine for foreign ticket holders for games in Bucharest.
This will apply to those who provide proof of a negative Covid test and restrict their stay in Romania to three days or less.
DENMARK
3000 Finland fans were allowed into the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for their Euro 2020 opener against Denmark.
ENGLAND*
England will allow Scotland fans to attend the game against the Three Lions at Wembley.
However, this trip would not involve crossing a border and no exemption is set to apply to fans of Croatia and the Czech Republic from overseas.
The FA are also reportedly considering allowing fans of the semi-finalists and finalists attend games under a bubble arrangement.
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SPAIN boss Luis Enrique’s sensational decision to leave out Sergio Ramos from his final Euro 2020 squad shocked La Roja fans.But why was the decision made to not take one Spain’s most iconic players to the tournament?
Sergio Ramos will be watching Euro 2020 from his sofaCredit: Reuters
Why isn’t Sergio Ramos playing for Spain?
The Real Madrid star has been a constant feature for Spain over the years and has amassed an incredible 180 international appearances.
Ramos played a key part in Spain’s qualification for this exact tournament starting nine out of ten qualifying matches.
The now 35-year-old was also a key tenet in helping his country to European Championship success twice as well as World Cup glory in 2010.
However, Ramos’s omission from the squad means he will not reap another opportunity to help them add more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
Ramos hasn’t enjoyed the best of campaign’s with Real MadridCredit: Getty
The centre-back’s lack of playing time which has seen him sidelined for the most part of this season added with Real Madrid’s terrible campaign has been labelled as the reason why he’s not in the squad.
An injury struck season has meant Ramos has only been able to feature 21 times in all competitions for Los Blancos this term.
The Real Madrid captain went through a successful knee operation in January, but still only started two games in 2021.

Spain boss Luis Enrique said: “Ramos has not been able to compete this season, he has not been able to train with the group.
“I clearly see that it’s a complicated decision. I recommended that he be selfish and that he regains his level to play in his club and in the national team.”
Ramos’ exclusion amazingly means it is the first time EVER that no Madrid player has been included in a Spanish squad for a major tournament.
Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte was named in the squad following his switch of allegiance from France and club compatriot Eric Garcia was also included despite having only featured in ONE Premier League game this season.

Enrique added: “Any decision I made about Sergio Ramos would have been controversial.
“I know where I am, and accept there will be noise from the media.
“The Aymeric Laporte decision has nothing to do with the Ramos situation. [Ramos] is a top player, can help our national team a lot, plays at one of the best clubs in history.
“Please don’t mix Ramos not being in the squad with call-ups for others. I’d have liked him to be here, to have recovered.”
Ramos’ void meant that Sergio Busquets was appointed captain, however the 32-year-old had to withdraw from the squad after testing postive from Covid-19 – meaning that one of the elder statesmen, Jordi Alba, has inherited the captain’s armband.
Spain face Sweden in their Euro group opener on June 14 before taking on Poland five days later and Slovakia on June 23.
Spain squad for Euro 2020

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez.
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Jose Gaya, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Diego Llorente, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Cesar Azpilicueta.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Thiago, Rodri, Koke, Pedri, Fabian.
Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Pablo Sarabia, Gerard Moreno, Mikel Oyarzabal, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres. More

WORLD CUP winner Mesut Ozil will not be running out for Germany in this summer’s Euros.Ozil racked up 94 caps for Germany between 2009-2018, scoring 23 goals and laying on 43 assists and is considered by many to be one of the German greats.
Ozil won’t be appearing for the Germans as they go for glory at Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
Why is Mesut Ozil not playing for Germany?
The midfielder was instrumental in Joachim Low’s style of play and Die Mannschaft’s infamous 2014 World Cup glory – but was unable to help his side defend their title four years later in Russia.
Germany’s poor showing in the 2018 World Cup meant they were eliminated in the group stages and Ozil subsequently announced his retirement from international football, citing racism as the main reason behind his decision.
The 32-year-old, who has ancestral roots in Turkey, was heavily criticized by the press for meeting up and posing for a photograph with the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogen, despite the World Cup winner denying any wrongdoing.
Erdogan was also reportedly the best man at the player’s wedding in Turkey.
Ozil is now plying his trade in Turkey with FenerbacheCredit: Reuters
Ozil’s seven-year tenure at Arsenal was then promptly terminated and after finding success in his first initial years at the Emirates Stadium, he barely appeared for The Gunners towards the end of his stay.
Ozil was the highest-paid player at the club on a reported £350,000 a week.
The midfielder was shifted to Fenerbahce on an initial loan deal in January until the end of the season, which would result in a free transfer to the Turkish club at the start of the 2021/2022 season.

During Ozil’s singing ceremony, the experienced playmaker said: “If I go on a road, I will never come back. So I will not play in the German National Team anymore.
“I wish them success, but I will never play for them again”.
Ozil also ruled out the possibility of returning to play his club football in Germany before he hangs up his boots insisting that he has no plans for a Bundesliga homecoming in the future.
Asked if he has dreamt of going back to the German top-flight at some point, Ozil replied curtly: “No, I haven’t.”

Back in September 2020, DFB general secretary Friedrich Curtis admitted the German football organisation made mistakes with the way they handled Ozil and missed out on their chance to rectify the situation with the player
Curtis said: “The DFB made mistakes in dealing with the events surrounding the Ozil case.
“A photo became a burning glass for many topics. The moment there were racist allegations, we missed the time to meet with the player.”
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