After four unsuccessful bids, it was surely Turkey's turn - but the European Championships have been awarded to Germany. The correct decision, says DW's Joscha Weber, but DFB President Grindel's days are still numbered.
Just like sport itself, sports journalism is also influenced by patriotic behavior. There's nothing wrong with a football commentator celebrating a goal scored by his country's national team, and it's no different in Germany. The Nationalmannschaft is a national and cultural institution, arguably the last remaining camp fire around which a fragmenting society can still huddle.
Nevertheless, when a German journalist states that Germany is the correct choice, it's more than just patriotic fervor and joy. There are other reasons, too.
UEFA president announces that Germany will host Euro 2024
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A worrying trend
Firstly, Germany is a democratic country with a constitution based on the rule of law and where human rights are protected – not something to be taken for granted nowadays. World Cups in Russia and Qatar, Euro 2020 games in Azerbaijan, the Olympics in China – the awarding of major sporting events to autocratic nations is a worrying trend.
Such events serve only as propaganda for the host regime, covering up issues such as the repression of minorities, restrictions on the free press and damage to the environment. The selection of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey, where the opposition is under surveillance and where the state controls the media and the courts, would have represented a continuation of this dubious trend.
Given Turkey's four previous failed bids (plus one withdrawal), it may have been fair from a sporting point of view. But as long as Erdogan continues to ride roughshod over basic democratic principles, UEFA shouldn't be gifting him a prestigious football tournament to use as a PR gag.
Germany: a logical choice in the end for DW's Joscha Weber
What really matters to UEFA: money
The second reason why Germany is a better option as host nation: economic power and stability.
Turkey offered greater tax incentives and promised to provide stadia rent free, but the country's battered economy, the collapse of the Lira and Erdogan's confrontational anti-Western politics simply posed too big an economic risk. Because what do UEFA care about most? Money.
European football's governing body made an 800-million-euro profit from the last European Championships in France in 2016 and president Aleksander Ceferin has not hidden the fact that revenue possibilities are "absolutely decisive."
The Turkish bid didn't enjoy full support at home either, which might sound strange at first but becomes more understandable once you dig a bit deeper. The national Süper Lig is still struggling to recover from the corruption scandals of recent years and fans are still skeptical of the FA and its president, Yildrim Demirören.
Back in his days in charge of Besiktas, he almost led the 15-time champions to economic ruin, and has since fired journalists who have dared to criticize the national team coach – not a difficult job, since he owns the biggest media companies and is generally seen as Erdogan's puppet. The Euros in his hands? Not a good idea.
Under pressure: Euro 2024 won't relieve the pressure on Reinhard GrindelImage: picture-alliance/dpa/U. Deck
Grindel: an unconvicing victor
The German victory in Nyon by 12 votes to four (one abstention due to illness) was comfortable in the end but, amidst all the euphoria, one thing must not be forgotten: Reinhard Grindel is still on the ropes.
Had Germany not won the right to host Euro 2024, his days in office would surely have been numbered – and perhaps they still are. He's already done too much damage in his undiplomatic and ignorant attitude towards fan representatives.
The DFB's triumph in Nyon will smooth things over the time being but let's not kid ourselves: it was easy pickings for Germany.
The Euro 2024 stadiums
Germany hosts Euro 2024 from June 14 to July 14. The tournament is being being held at 10 venues, with the final to be played in Berlin.
Image: Arno Burgi/picture alliance / dpa
Berlin
Berlin's Olympic Stadium is something of a German Wembley. Originally constructed for the 1936 Olympic Games, it has been the home of Hertha Berlin since 1963. The stadium has hosted the final of the German Cup, the DFB Pokal, since 1985 and was also the venue for both the 2006 World Cup final and 2015 Champions League final. Its next major final will be on July 14 for the Euros.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/O. Lang
Munich
It may look like a UFO has landed next to the motorway in Munich but it is in fact the home of German giants Bayern Munich since 2005. Its outer scales light up red when Bayern are at home and can be lit up in the national colors when Germany plays here. Built for the 2006 World Cup, it will host the Euro 2024 opener on June 14 and one of the semifinals.
Image: DW/A.Götzmann
Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund's stadium, still known by many fans as the Westfalenstadion, is the biggest football ground in Germany with a total capacity of 81,360 – although this will be reduced to just 62,000 for the Euros. In the 2006 World Cup, Germany were beaten in the semifinal here by Italy and it will host the other 2024 semifinal.
Image: picture-alliance/SvenSimon
Leipzig
Leipzig, the city where the German Football Association (DFB) was founded in 1900 and home to the first ever German champions, VfB Leipzig, in 1903, is also represented. The new arena was built ahead of the 2006 World Cup inside the bowl of the historic Zentralstadion. In 2010, it was renamed and became the home of RB Leipzig. Three group games and a round-of-16 match will be played here.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas
Cologne
Built on the foundations of the old Müngersdorfer Stadion, Cologne's stadium was built for the 2006 World Cup. The four corner pillars light up the night sky. Cologne's home ground will have a capactiy of 43,000 for the Euros. Four group stage matches and a round of 16 game will be played here during Euro 2024.
Image: picture-alliance/ULMER
Gelsenkirchen
Schalke's home stadium sits atop a hill in the north of Gelsenkirchen. Now named after a beer producer, it can accommodate 50,000 for the Euros. Its retractable roof can come into play during bad weather. The arena was a World Cup venue in 2006. It is also used to host other events like concerts, and is another ground that will host three group games and a last-16 clash at the Euros.
This ground, like so many in Germany, has carried a string of sponsors' names in recent years. But now it's back to its original title, that roughly translates (Volksparkstadion) as the People's Park Stadium. Opened in 2000, the stadium can has a capacity of 49,000 for the Euros and will host a quarterfinal as well as group-stage games.
Image: picture-alliance/HOCH ZWEI/P. Szyza
Frankfurt
It's no surprise that the stadium in Frankfurt made the cut and will host a round of 16 game as well as group stage matches. It will have a capacity of 47,000 for European Championship matches. Germany's financial capital on the River Main already attracts more than its fair share of foreign visitors, and is also where Germany's football federation has its headquarters.
Image: dpa
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf was perhaps the biggest loser in 2006 when the World Cup venues were announced. Despite a newly renovated stadium, the city went empty-handed while local rivals Cologne got the nod. The ground is a cauldron inside, although it resembles a giant DIY store from the outside. One of the Euro 2024 quarterfinals is to be played here.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Weihrauch
Stuttgart
There is a lot to be happy about football-wise in Stuttgart right now. VfB Stuttgart's stunning Bundesliga season, when they finished second, is being followed by the city's partly renovated stadium hosting Euro 2024 games. The first quarterfinal takes place here. It boasts a capacity of 51,000 for the tournament.
