Six match days in Dortmund, including four preliminary round matches as well as one round of 16 and one semi-final: this can and should become a major image factor. Hundreds of thousands of people from different countries will get to know the city in the heart of the Ruhr area and the surrounding region. Welcoming people in a hospitable manner is also a task for the citizens of the city.

"The European Championship 2024 also starts in Dortmund on Saturday. After years of preparation, the whole city is looking forward to the tournament and the games here in our city. But the joint celebration will only succeed if we all look after ourselves and each other. We are good hosts in Dortmund. We will prove this over the next four weeks," emphasizes Lord Mayor Thomas Westphal.

And where the safety of many tens of thousands of people must be guaranteed, the police blue is not far away. "We're delighted that things are finally getting underway," says Police Commissioner Gregor Lange: "After the long and intensive preparations, we're looking forward to a diverse and happy soccer festival!"

One thing is clear, however, according to the police commissioner: if soccer fans think they can come to Dortmund to cause a ruckus, they're definitely offside. "To put it bluntly: we will not allow aggressive and violent behavior. The majority of people simply want to experience a peaceful soccer festival - and these people can rest assured that we will do everything we can to ensure their safety."

With this in mind, Dortmund police have put together a large package of measures based on their numerous experiences with major soccer events. It is not only the large number of personnel, including hundreds of officers, plainclothes officers, state security and team communication, that underlines the importance of ensuring that match days run smoothly, but also the fact that other options are being exploited.

This is why Dortmund police will also be using video surveillance in areas where there are particularly large crowds. "Of course, we will also consistently review the bans on carrying knives that I have imposed via the specially established task force," said Police Chief Gregor Lange: "We are keeping a particularly close eye on extremist threats. We are in close contact with the Federal and State Office for the Protection of the Constitution."

Many people are currently hoping for a "summer fairytale 2.0" in the style of the 2006 World Cup - but whether this can be reproduced one-to-one is still up in the air. For the police chief, however, one very specific detail is crucial in this context. "When I think back to 2006, I remember above all the mutual respect that people from different countries and cultures showed each other with such ease and warmth. I hope that this will also work this time. It would be an important sign in difficult times," says Gregor Lange.

This also includes respect for police officers. According to the police chief, there is a human being in every uniform. "Fair play and respect - that is the motto of a campaign that we have launched on the occasion of EURO 2024," says Gregor Lange: "My officers are always available for all soccer fans."