Bordeaux begins build-up to 2016 finals
Friday, June 19, 2015
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Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppé and former EURO winner Alain Giresse helped the city outline preparations for the final year ahead of the UEFA EURO 2016 finals.
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Former French international Alain Giresse was among those in attendance as Bordeaux launched its countdown to UEFA EURO 2016.
Bordeaux was the last venue to mark one year to kick-off at the finals but the event at the city hall certainly caught everyone's imagination. Mayor Alain Juppé, his assistant for sport Arielle Plaza, representatives of the urban community plus city ambassadors Giresse and Emmanuelle Grizot, officially launched the countdown.
Mr Juppé was keen to point out that UEFA EURO 2016 will bring "enormous economic benefits" as Bordeaux will host four group stage matches and a quarter-final. The host cities' representative displayed his pride at the potential benefits from the installation of a Fan Zone on the Esplanade des Quiniconces, "the biggest in France", with a 116 square metre giant screen showing all 51 matches live to up to 50,000 people.
Projects will be organised to select cultural animations, which will be included in the city's animation program at the same time as the 'Bordeaux fête le vin' festival. In the meantime, Mr Juppé stressed the necessity to "work on security, a low-cost public transport service and prevention of addictive conducts". The former Prime Minister presented the Heritage program on how the €2m UEFA fund will be used for various local activities.
The 1984 UEFA European Championship winner Giresse said he "couldn't wait to soak up this EURO and attend games filled with emotions". Speeches to the audience at the entrance of the city hall and photos with tournament mascot Super Victor in front of the monumental structure followed before the presentation of the first ticket by ambassadors.
Later, the second part of the treasure hunt was launched in the Place de la Comédie with clues leaked by local radio station France Bleu Gironde. The aim was to find the hideout of Super Victor with the most astute players in with a chance of winning tickets for the first game in Bordeaux.
