Lille’s pride as UEFA EURO 2016 countdown begins
Monday, June 15, 2015
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"We welcome Europe," announced musician and city ambassador Mat Bastard as Lille, venue for six games, marked a year to go until UEFA EURO 2016.
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Musician Mat Bastard proclaimed Lille "a crossroads of Europe and cultures" as the city celebrated one year to go until UEFA EURO 2016.
The singer joined excited mayor Martine Aubry and Damien Castelain, president of the Métropole Européenne de Lille, at the event in the city in northern France. Lille hosts six games in next summer's finals, with the first on 12 June.
"EURO is the biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup", Aubry said close to the Place François Mitterand, where the 30,000-capacity Fan Zone will be staged. "Some even say the EURO is better than the World Cup since all the best teams in Europe are face to face from the off. It tells us how proud we are to host this tournament."
Castelain pointed out that "in a year's time the eyes of Europe will be upon us" while Mat Bastard, the sole ambassador on hand after Vahid Halilhodžić's recent appointment by Japan, gave a personal account. "Lille is a crossroads of Europe and culture. Our band grew up here. We learned everything we know here. We're proud to be from Lille and we welcome Europe."
From September, 300 volunteers will be recruited and next May, Lille and Lens will host a schools tournament with 32 countries represented for boys, 16 for girls. "Two thousand EURO tickets will also be given to young people in precarious situation," added Castelain.
