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MAMMOTH TASK Euro 2024 takes place three years after the previous tournament, which was postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hosted in countries across the continent with the
final at Wembley, the 2021 edition took place in front of drastically reduced capacity. This time around, there will be no more restrictions -- and the stadiums are expected to be packed. An
estimated 2.7 million fans will attend 51 matches across 10 stadiums, culminating in the final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on July 14. But even more will be outside the grounds, with
each host city setting up fan zones ready to welcome the 12 million supporters expected to come to the country. ATTACK THREATS The tournament however also takes place against the backdrop of
a tense global climate with major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, making securing the event a mammoth task. Germany has been on high alert for Islamist attacks since the outbreak
of the Israel-Hamas war in October. An attack in Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State group, at the end of March which claimed 144 lives, had cast a further shadow over security at the
tournament. The Champions League quarter-final first legs in Paris, London and Madrid in April were all held under close surveillance after an apparent threat made by Islamic State.
Likewise, additional security measures were in place for the 'Der Klassiker' match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in March at the Allianz Arena, which hosts the
opening match of the Euros. The background is reminiscent of the lead-up to Euro 2016 in France which took place just after attacks in Paris and Brussels, including an attempted suicide
bombing at the Stade de France during a France-Germany game. Officials will however be hoping Euro 2024 will be like the 2016 edition, which took place safely in a jubilant atmosphere of
celebration.