European Championship starts today in Basel, Switzerland
The opening match will be in four p.m. GMT in the Swiss city of Basel between two teams of Switzerland and the Czech Republic at the beginning of the first group matches, followed by Portugal and Turkey match in the same group are being held in Geneva.
European Cup fever has swept the Swiss and Austrian cities hosting matches with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of fans of sixteen teams participating teams to attend the home games.
And encourage the flow of colors, flags and pictures of their stars.
No Austrians and Swiss miss business opportunities, photos and media teams shirts and souvenirs, and dyes spread in all cities.
Championship fever has swept the cities hosting matches
Amid hopes that incidents disturb this great sporting event authorities have taken security measures the two countries needed to address any potential problems from the fanatic fans. Throughout the 31 games in the championship will follow the loss of football lovers in the world and fatty meal of the finest arts football.
Even countries that failed to qualify as England will follow the performance of professional players in the English league participants with their teams.
Global event
It should be noted that the European Cup is the third most important sporting event in the world after the soccer World Cup and Olympics.
And gained the championship of this stature since its development in 1980 where she participated for the first time in eight finals States.
The old continent has experienced at the end of the last century Tmaniniat collapse of the Soviet Union and the unification of Germany and reflected on the march, sports and increased European interest in heroism, especially after the development of EU institutions and laws of the company facilitated the movement of players between clubs of the continent.
Switzerland hopes to bypass the first team roles
Having opened clubs of Western Europe doors for players from eastern and central continent is reflected on the evolution of the game in several states, except a strong show of new spherical and compete strongly conventional forces.
Since England Championship in 1996 involving 16 teams in the finals are increased to raise the championship and the ignorance of the media throughout the world and Europe is not only compete for the right to the exclusive broadcasting of matches.
The accounts figures cost $ Tnnzim European finals this year about one billion U.S. dollars, but the expectations of the European Football Federation indicate that it will achieve an income of up to about two billion dollars, up 50% from the previous championship.
The number of games to viewers across television screens is estimated at about two hundred million people in 200 countries.
Was chosen Stade Ernest Hubble in the Austrian capital Vienna to host the final match in June 29 this month.