Basel prepares for a very busy few days....

Thursday, 19 June 08, 03:13 AM · Comments(0)

Starting from today Basel plays host to 3 big games in Euro2008 in the next 6 days. Today the crowds will be huge with Germany on our doorstep and there being a huge Portuguese population in Switzerland (though I think the press underestimate the numbers here). However, most of the focus has been on the expected 100,000+ Dutch fans expected for the game on Saturday. The 3 existing fan zones will be augmented by a further zone in Marktplatz but the belief is that this week will be even bigger than Basel's annual festival, Fasnacht. Certainly the Fan Camp at Pratteln might actually see some customers this week! Hopefully, I can get some photos up of events as they take place over the next few days.

In other news it seems the BBC are reporting a slight cock-up on Swiss TV with the wrong German subtitles being shown during the National Anthem. I didn't see the game on Swiss TV so have no idea but it doesn't seem to have registered much here in Basel. L'Equipe mentions the new UEFA quota system for next season's Champions League game, which is a European Law friendly version based on a player having started his development at a club rather than nationality. Basically 8 of the 25 squad must have spent 3 years between 15-21 in the country of the club but do not have to be born in that country. Anyway Platini likes it!

Oh well off to town today as finally some warm and sunny weather has arrived at EURO2008 so we're expecting a party in Basel today.

Basel prepares for a very busy few days....

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