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Belgian, Dutch royals in stands as King Soccer takes over |
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June
11, 2000
BRUSSELS, JUNE 10 (AP) - Euro 2000 kicks off Saturday with the royal families of co-hosts Belgium and the Netherlands in the stands. But once the opening whistle goes, everybody will gladly yield to King Soccer for the next three weeks. And not a moment too soon.
"Everyone is elated that the games are about to begin, finally it's here," said Belgian coach Robert Waseige, whose Red Devils take on Sweden at the 50,000-capacity King Baudouin Stadium following months of eager anticipation.
Festivities across Belgium were in full swing as soccer fever finally caught on.
Throngs of Swedish fans, decked out in their bright yellow and blue jerseys, alongside Belgian fans were all over the city's medieval Grand' Place, soaking up the pre-game atmosphere.
Some 700 English fans were also expected to come to Saturday's opener, and thousands of others were arriving in the two host nations by ferries, trains and by plane.
The June 10-July 2 tournament is expected to draw some 1.5 million fans to the 31 matches.
Euro 2000 organizers had feared the home crowds would not get exciting following a lukewarm initial response to the idea. So far, fears of hooligan violence and traffic gridlock have overshadowed the giddy anticipation a good tournament usually brings.
By Saturday though, even the royal families caught the fever. King Albert of Belgium and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands are expected to enter the stadium with great fanfare in a supporter's bus.
"The King is not coming because he has to. King Albert loves soccer," said palace spokeswoman Francoise Gustin. "He will be very elated if Belgium makes it far," she said.
Festivities in the other three Belgian host cities started with concerts held under brilliant skies and balmy temperatures late Friday.
In Bruges, which will host four Euro 2000 games, a massive pop concert was held on the market square Friday to celebrate the tournament kickoff.
Saturday's opening ceremony at the King Baudouin stadium will only be 15 minutes long but will feature a celebration of the tournament theme, "football without frontiers."
The details of the ceremony were kept under wraps. The budget for the ceremony was pegged at 35 million francs(dlrs 827,000).
"Our
ceremony will be about friendship and tolerance," said director
Luc Petit who worked previously with the world renowned Canadian
Cirque du Soleil.
Organizers hope that the game itself will draw attention away from the worries around security and safety, which have dogged tournament preparations all along.
Weekend newspapers will also be publishing special Sunday editions to take advantage of the Euro 2000 fever.
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