How to evaluate the Italian bid for Euro 2032

Presentation of the Euro 2020 Cup in Bucharest Stadium on March 16, 2019 (Photo by Mircea Moira/Shutterstock). Italy became European champions with the final on July 11, 2021 at Wembley Stadium.

The official nature of Italy’s candidacy to host the 2032 European Football Championship, which arrived at the beginning of April, has concluded the first chapter in the controversy that has taken place in recent months (with FIFA also considering a 2028 edition) and opened one in the practical course of dealing with it, with Leave some insignificant question marks, and think about them for the time being with a bit of caution.

The Italian approval arrived at the same technical times as the joint bid of the United Kingdom and Ireland for Euro 2028, and Turkey, which instead plays on the two fronts (2028 and 2032), arrives at the fifth consecutive attempt to host the cap. Continental Football Championship (unsuccessful so far).

There is no need to compare the three nominations strictly speaking (or maybe yes but it would still be a simplification), also considering that UEFA’s final selection will arrive in September 2023 for both editions, but the starting point is c. Is: the “British” proposal puts 10 stadiums on the board, of which only 1 must face a full reconstruction project (Casement Park in Belfast), a similar situation to Turkey (with work beginning in The new Ankara 19 May Stadium in Ankara).

On the other hand, Italy has a list of 10 stadiums, of which only one is definitely final (Allianz Stadium in Turin); There is another possibility (San Siro has been mentioned, for now, and the alternative shadow of Milan’s possible new stadium is looming behind it); For 3 stadiums, there is a project already decided but not yet started (redesign of Bologna and Florence, new stadium in Cagliari); Finally, the other five live in the hope of restructuring and modernization should the candidacy be successful (finally Palermo has been added to all this, excluded from the first total list but kept as a “reserve”).

This file is the most hypothetical of the three, but it is also a crucial step by FIGC, an important declaration of intent that attempts to connect a series of dots on the sheet that would otherwise have remained isolated from each other.

In fact, we have already written about how the reality of public ownership of stadiums in Italy often becomes a bigger problem than it really represents (TSPORT 349) and in this scenario, the Italian nomination, Quoting the words of Gravinawants to be “Italian football renaissance” By renovating its largest and most important playgrounds, trying to imagine the fact that in 10 years time will necessarily be different from today, forward-looking, and unconstrained by individual workshop concerns.

UEFA has established a range of minimum capacities for the stadiums to be included in the bid, based on usage at the different stages of the tournament:

  • 1 stadium with a capacity of at least 60,000 seats
  • 1 stadium with at least 50 thousand seats (preferably 2 or at least the second between 40 and 50 thousand)
  • 4 stadiums with at least 40,000 seats
  • 3 stadiums with at least 30,000 seats

(See also news at archastadia).

Obviously, these minimum capacities can easily be exceeded, even if three or four stadiums with more than 50,000 seats, or more than one stadium with more than 60,000 seats, etc. are proposed.

The Italian situation before Euro 2032

Speaking of the Juventus stadium, the projects of Bologna, Florence, Cagliari and the well-known situation in the San Siro (no one wants that anymore, but is it still our only certainty in perspective in 9 years?) the stadiums and the redesign options to be carried out: if the Olympico is in Rome it should not be modified (But it must be accompanied by ambition Flaminio recovery for training), even in Verona the idea would be to build A whole new stage (via Sogare, a short walk from the current building) with Bentegodi being converted into a multi-sport facility for the 11 enclosed majors under the auspices of the Bentegodi Foundation.

So Verona could in fact have two sports facilities (and very close to each other), while in Genoa the occasion of Euro 2032 would embody the desire for Ferraris update, while adapting to UEFA standards but without invasive changes to the overall structure. The premise of other facilities will also be set aside, with the aim of improving the existing facility, thanks to the economic outflow to run and respond to the needs of Genoa and Sampdoria.

also in Bari There will be no particular disruptions, as San Nicola has already been affected by some improvements in recent months and with the historic Estadio della Vittoria that will be back in business hosting training sessions for the national teams. the Maradona NapoliRather, at least in intent, he should undergo restyling.Broad and deep to transform it into a contemporary systemHowever, questions remain about the extent, feasibility and timing of these interventions.

the UEFA requirements As for the current format and organization of European football tournaments, they also place special emphasis on the off-field, from movement to and from stadiums, to safety for fans and the “legacy” of the tournament (which should have a future on the development of football at a national level).

Fan participation should be organized to be inclusive and celebratory, enhancing the ‘tourist’ aspect of the event with a practical impact on the host cities, thus launching an organizational movement that goes beyond the purely sporting realm.

On this point too, Italy seems to have moved organically within the candidacy profile, facilitated by the already touristic significance of our cities.

On the other hand, under the heading of stadiums, in the ‘future’ profile of FIGC one can see (pessimistically) some similarities with the tackles made at Italia 90, which were conceived and launched at that time only after the championship was acquired by FIFA. . , and therefore of necessity hasty, out of scope and not at all far-sighted. However, looking at everything optimistically, the hope is that the lesson of 1990 has been learned by all.

Queenie Bell

"Introvert. Avid gamer. Wannabe beer advocate. Subtly charming zombie junkie. Social media trailblazer. Web scholar."

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