Head of Police Martin Lotz takes stock: "Security concept worked"
After a total of four group matches, the round of 16 of the European Football Championship 2024 between Spain and Georgia took place in Cologne Stadium this evening (June 30). Thousands of supporters of the Spanish and Georgian teams marched through the city towards the stadium in fan walks. The public screening events were also packed with fans. Overall, they celebrated peacefully, meaning that the police officers can speak of a calm operation. At around 4.30 p.m., a man (26) was noticed by stewards filming in the stadium. Initial investigations revealed that he was a Georgian journalist, but was unable to show a ticket or accreditation. Officers brought him to a police station to establish his identity and filed a complaint on suspicion of trespassing.
Head of Police Martin Lotz drew a preliminary balance: "The police's long-prepared deployment and security concept for UEFA EURO 2024 has also paid off today. We are delighted that tens of thousands of fans in the stadium and in our city once again celebrated happily and, in the vast majority of cases, very peacefully. We say 'thank you' and bid farewell to this European Championship as the venue authority."