EURO 2024
Oracle orangutan backs Germany for Euros win against Scotland
Euro 2024 hosts Germany are on course for a narrow victory in their opening match against Scotland – according to an oracle orangutan at Dortmund Zoo.
Walter, 35, is no stranger to predicting the outcome of football matches, and is a veteran of previous World Cup and Euros campaigns, as well as German and European club competitions.
On Thursday two buckets were placed in his enclosure, one with a Germany scarf, one with a Scotland scarf.
“Walter stopped in front of the buckets, and then he took a look at both and he was very strictly going to the German bucket, so I think it must be a victory for the German team against Scotland. But then he went to the Scottish bucket, so may be the Scottish will be very close too,” said zoo spokesperson Marcel Stawinoga.
The tournament starts on Friday in Munich, and Germany will start as strong favourites against Scotland.
Walter joins a list of creatures as differing as an octopus and an elephant, that have predicted the outcomes of international soccer matches, usually by picking one bowl of food bearing a team’s flag over another.
Among the most famous was Paul the oracle octopus who lived in an aquarium in the German city of Oberhausen, and who shot to fame in the 2010 World Cup for his uncanny ability to predict the results of Germany’s matches. He correctly forecast how Germany would fare in seven matches.
-Reuters
EURO 2024
Swiss coaches’ computers stolen at Euro 2024
Switzerland coaches had computers stolen in Duesseldorf during Euro 2024, though no sensitive data or information about their next match against Italy has been compromised, the team said on Tuesday.
Video analysts responsible for preparing data and tactical information for team coaches were not impacted as they were at Switzerland’s base camp in Stuttgart, a spokesperson for the team said, confirming three laptops were taken.
Those affected were part of a delegation of junior national team coaches who were travelling across Germany to observe and analyse matches.
“No sensitive data or no information about the upcoming match against Italy has been lost,” the official said in an email.
Switzerland have reached the knockout stages of their sixth successive major tournament and play Italy in Berlin on Saturday
-Reuters
EURO 2024
Age is but a number for Euro 2024’s oldest volunteer
Luka Modric is the tournament’s oldest goalscorer and Cristiano Ronaldo has now played at six European Championships but neither can get even close to Euro 2024’s oldest volunteer.
With a foam finger on his hand and a smile on his face, 89-year-old Reiner Spankuch helps guide football fans from all over Europe to their seats at Leipzig Stadium.
“I started volunteering in 2006, at the World Cup in Leipzig,” Spankuch told Reuters
“When I reached retirement age, I wanted to have a job, stay busy, move around and be among people. And it became what it is today.”
Spankuch has since earned a wealth of experience, the role taking him as far afield as Las Vegas to volunteer at a table tennis tournament, a sport he still plays himself.
“I’ve been working at these events almost every year since 2006, six to seven events a year. And I’m still at RB Leipzig, volunteering in visitor management, and I’m a companion for bus trips to away games,” he said.
“What matters most of all is the connection to the people, the fans. That’s what enlivens the spirit, and I have wonderful experiences.”
Spankuch, who turns 90 in August, believes this tournament is more enjoyable than the 2006 World Cup.
“The mood is even better than in 2006. What the Dutch did here, also the French. It’s really the mood, despite the rain at the beginning,” he said.
“The mood is great also among the locals. You have a feeling for that as a volunteer. And it will increase the better the German side becomes.”
-Reuters
EURO 2024
Meet Euro 2024’s Oldest Volunteer: The Lifelong Passion of Reiner Spankuch
Reiner Spankuch, at 89 years old, is Euro 2024’s oldest volunteer, guiding football fans at Leipzig Stadium. Starting his volunteer journey in 2006, Reiner has accumulated vast experience across multiple events.
His passion for connecting with people and enriching fan experiences underscores his commitment to the role.
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