With over 50,000 Albania supporters preparing to attend Saturday’s Euro 2024 clash against Italy in Dortmund, it is set to be the largest travelling contingent of any team other than the host nation. The huge interest in the game from the Balkan country has even led to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama suspending the nation’s parliament for 10 days to accommodate over 100 ministers and parliamentarians attending the team’s Group B fixtures against Italy, Croatia, and Spain.
High Demand for Tickets
Despite Signal Iduna Park’s usual capacity of over 81,000 for club fixtures, the venue will have a reduced capacity of 62,000 during Euro 2024. An influx of neutral section tickets for the Group B opener has been purchased by Albanian fans, demonstrating the immense support for their team. It is reported that many Albanian residents in Germany have secured tickets for their country’s first major tournament appearance since Euro 2016. On the other hand, reigning European champions Italy are expected to have fewer than 10,000 supporters present at the match due to the overwhelming number of tickets bought by Albania fans.
Support from Across Europe
Aside from Albania, Scotland is also expected to have over 100,000 supporters in Germany during the tournament. Furthermore, England, the Netherlands, and Poland are anticipating significant followings from travelling fans. The Turkish national team’s Group F fixtures against Georgia, Portugal, and Czechia are predicted to have an overwhelming presence of Turkish supporters, given Germany’s sizable population of over 7 million people of Turkish descent.
The upcoming Euro 2024 clash between Albania and Italy is shaping up to be a historic event with record-breaking attendance from Albanian fans. The strong support not only showcases the passion for football in Albania but also highlights the diverse and dedicated fan base across Europe. It will be a spectacle to witness as fans from different nations come together to cheer on their respective teams in what promises to be an electrifying tournament.
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