Telekom is playing a central role in the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany as a network supplier, national sponsor and TV rights holder. Details and news about next year's sporting event were presented in Hamburg. At the centre: the network, a team of experts, the desire for a summer party with many emotional moments and DFB guest Rudi Völler.
"Hello and hello from Hamburg" is the message at just after half past eleven. Press spokesman Johannes Maisack introduces the media event live from the GINN Convention. At the event, Deutsche Telekom is showcasing the full range of its premium partnership with UEFA EURO 2024. © DTAG
Premium partnership and premium location: The large banner just a few metres from the event location at Dock 11 is impossible to miss - for those who don't know it: The floating dock is the largest in Europe and a well-known photo motif due to its location opposite the jetties. "We want to show our colours here today in the truest sense of the word - for the European Championships, for the draw tomorrow and for our commitment to the 2024 sporting event," says Johannes. So: ELPHIE FRIENDS YOU MUST BE. © DTAG
"#Fullyinvolved - that's our promise," emphasises Michael Hagspihl in his welcome address. The Senior Vice President Global Strategic Projects and Marketing Partnerships emphasises that they will really give their all at this tournament so that people can be right up close. "As a technical and broadcasting partner, as an atmosphere creator and as a fan - for an outstanding and unique experience. We want to celebrate a huge, atmospheric football summer party." © DTAG
Would you have known? There are seven 'Telekom countries' among the 24 qualified teams: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Croatia. Poland and Greece are also eligible for the qualifying matches. There will be special offers for customers in these European Championship countries. "This is a celebration of cultures. In the centre of Germany," says Hagsphil. Telekom is optimising its mobile network for this. Nine of the ten European Championship stadiums will receive 5G on the 3.6 gigahertz high-speed frequency. Deutsche Telekom is also relying on fibre optics. "We transmit the images that go around the world. To do this, we are integrating UEFA's international broadcasting centre in Leipzig, the IBC, into our network." © DTAG
But Telekom is not just a technology enabler. It is also a sponsor. Michael Hagspihl therefore hopes that Germany will be put in a mood that leads to a shared experience. "That would be great." The fact that Telekom is allowed to provide all the flag children at the games will certainly contribute to this. "This will be a unique event - with goosebumps guaranteed for both the children and their parents - that we are very happy to make available to our customers. Anyone can apply for this." © DTAG
DFB guest Rudi Völler takes to the stage to talk about the atmosphere. He categorises the national team's performance in recent months objectively, but is nevertheless confident: "The game against Austria was really bad. No question about it. But I'm optimistic when I think about our top coach and the creative players we have in the squad. If we can find a good mix - between playful elegance, tactics and fighting spirit. Then it will be something. Julian (Nagelsmann) will draw his conclusions from the last four games and nominate and line up in such a way that we are successful. I'm convinced of that." © DTAG
Rudi Völler continued: "When we were eliminated in 2018 and 2020, we were only missing a few per cent at times. But if you can't call on that, then you're eliminated in the preliminary round. Above all, we need to improve our defensive stability." He then becomes almost wistful when Michael Ballack is announced: "For me, THE leader from my time as national coach in 2002." © DTAG
But first, PK boss Wolfgang Metze shows how Telekom wants to bring the tournament closer to its customers: Magenta Moments will be the central platform and provide many emotional experiences. Want some examples? Exclusive Golden European Championship tickets that give winners access to all DFB matches, tickets to individual matches, meet & greets with stars or participation in first-class events. And to ensure that everyone can really #beparticipate, he announces a very special gift in advance: Deutsche Telekom will switch the data volume in all mobile phone tariffs to unlimited during the tournament. © DTAG
And it continues with the next highlight: Deutsche Telekom presents its renowned MagentaTV team. Wolfgang Metze comments: "If you want to watch all the matches, there's no getting round our offerings." MagentaTV is the only platform that shows all 51 matches of the tournament. Five matches exclusively. Johannes B. Kerner (right) takes on the role of host. He will present live from the studio on match days and at selected matches on location. The team of experts will once again be led by former DFB captain Michael Ballack (3rd from right) and former international Tabea Kemme (centre). Wolff Fuss (left), the renowned TV commentator, is also back. New to the team: Shkodran Mustafi, world champion 2014. © DTAG
Former national team player and TV pundit Michael Ballack: "We're a well-rehearsed team. I'm looking forward to continuing in this constellation and hope for an interesting draw. When the players kick off something big, we're all there to cheer them on. I remember what it's like as a player when you're carried through the tournament on a wave of euphoria." Now that's a positive ending. When it comes to winning the European Championships, the panel of experts will be predicting France, England or Spain. But Germany is also an insider tip, at least. © DTAG
That was fun! It's a shame that it's still a while until kick-off. But the group draw took place just one day later. Broadcast live by MagentaTV, by the way. And Telekom was also present at the Elphi. To ensure that everything ran smoothly during the connection, a comprehensive Deutsche Telekom team from technology, field service and ISP had been working long beforehand. By the way: Germany will face Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in the preliminary round. So the countdown is on! © DTAG
