The eyes of the world will be fixed on Austria and Switzerland in June 2008 as Europe’s best football powers prepare to do battle. Upstart Greece came out of nowhere in Portugal in 2004 to upset the host nation and claim supremacy on the continent. No longer the underdog, Greece will have to contend with fierce competition from the likes of Russia, Sweden and Spain in the group stage in order to advance and hold on to the crown.
Host nations Austria and Switzerland have a monumental task of their own. Match Portugal’s efforts in 2004 and bring the entire continent together, if not the world, as premier destinations for a world class event. The eight cities that will play host to all the thrilling Euro 2008 action certainly have their work cut out for them. Here’s a taste of what fans can expect.
One of the most formidable and important cultural hubs in Europe, the city of Vienna has a long history and evokes much lore, romance and envy. People are fortunate to reside here, as the city consistently ranks as one of the best in the world in terms of quality of life. There are monuments, iconic architecture and beautiful vestiges of the Hapsburg Empire at every turn. With a metropolitan population of over 2 million, the atmosphere for Euro 2008 should be raucous and spirited.
The fun-to-pronounce city of Klagenfurt is the state capital of Carinthia in Austria and has a population of close to 100,000. The tone here is casual, convivial and peaceful. The town, like most in Austria and Switzerland, is set amid forests and mountains, notably the Karawanken range which divides the state of Carinthia from Italy and Slovenia. Though small, Klagenfurt is a popular destination for several reasons. A myriad of parks and castles surround the area and provide ideal scenery for vacation homes. In addition, the central location of Klagenfurt means that one can travel freely and expediently to several other towns and nations within Europe.
The capital of the state of Salzburg is no surprise, Salzburg. With over 150,000 people, the university town provides a nice little cosmopolitan locale from which to enjoy the Euro action. The Old Town is where you want to be. A beacon of Baroque preservation, it remains of the most pristine examples of a typical Medieval German town. There is a ton of history in Salzburg. Traces of human occupation date back to the Neolithic period, the Celts and Romans spent time in the town and none other than Mozart himself was born here. Try to digest all of that. To boot, Salzburg is where The Sound of Music all went down.
The small city of Innsbruck is in for a major population influx as the Euro unfolds. With just over 100,000 residents, the sleepy mountain capital of Tyrol in west Austria has not seen action like this since the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. A quaint village-type atmosphere permeates the narrow Innsbruck streets and the air is bound to be more than congenial and hospitable. Set within a wide valley between the Norkette, Patscherkofel and Serles mountains, Innsbruck is a hearty sports capital and should provide ample support for what should be a memorable tournament.
See why Innsbruck is one of the Euro 2008 hot spots.
Switzerland should prove a supreme location for a world event like the Euro. The urban population of the city is over 700,000 and in terms of industrial importance to the country, Basel is king. The Rhine river city is home to a number of chemical and pharmaceutical giants, not to mention the most historic university in Switzerland. The Old Town of Basel contains several heritage sites of note, as well as photogenic architecture of yore. With rabid support for local club FC Basel, the throngs should be in full revelry once Euro 2008 kicks off.
Great Basel hotel deals will make your Euro 2008 trip that much better.
Just when you think towns in Austria and Switzerland cannot possibly get more lovely, along comes Berne. Anyone would be proud to call the place home, as Albert Einstein once did when he was in the employ of a local patent office. One look at picturesque Berne and it seems a certainty that it must have provided the famous physicist with inspiration for his theory of relativity. The city’s medieval heart is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains several notable monuments, in addition to a wonderful promenade of shops.
With a quality of life that few can rival, Geneva is a vibrant city that will lend class and prestige to Euro 2008. Despite a small population of just under 200,000, the city is home to countless international associations. The World Health Organization, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Refugees, as well as the World Economic Forum, all call Geneva home. No big wonder. With a modern skyline, rich Old Town and between the Alps and Jura mountains on the banks of gorgeous Lake Geneva, the city is in perfect position to welcome the world.
In the battle for “best quality of life in the world” supremacy, Zurich emerges triumphant more often than not. With a population a shade over 1 million, the city is the capital of Switzerland in more than one respect. Without question, in terms of commerce, culture, politics and perhaps even sport, Zurich is the country’s heart. It will represent Switzerland with pride when the first whistle announces the arrival of Euro 2008. With monuments that date back to the time of Charlemagne and some of the best art museums and opera houses in Europe, Zurich offers a lot more than just banks, timepiece emporiums and chocolate shops.
If you liked this post subscribe to our feed to get regular updates.
