The Eurocup next summer is already on the horizon, although it is still full of unknowns. In principle, it will be played in a total of twelve venues. However, the weeks continue to pass and the health situation due to COVID-19 is getting worse. Given this circumstance, it seems difficult to hold the tournament as planned. For this reason, UEFA is already seriously evaluating other options, in case the initial idea cannot take shape. As reported today by the French newspaper Le Parisien, the European football regulatory body is studying that the Euro be played in a single country: Russia.
The tournament continues scheduled from June 11 to July 11, 2021. In principle, this is not in danger, unless the situation worsens. However, the plan values that the teams travel between the countries, each one with its own protocol, while they compete in the competition. Even Le Parisien classifies its celebration as “impossible” in such a way. Russia has already offered, according to the media, to organize it if it could have been played in 2020. Finally, it was not like that, although UEFA took note and values it as a new option. The country chaired by Putin, yes, has worsened in its situation and It already has 29,000 deaths from coronavirus and more than one and a half million infections. Despite this, their data seem better than those presented day by day in other European countries.
Meanwhile, Le Parisien also points out that Azerbaijan will be officially relegated as one of the organizing countries of the European Championship in the coming weeks.. Baku was to host its Olympic stadium, but the armed conflict with Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region would prevent it. Similarly, Qarabag had to change venues to face Villarreal in the Europa League. Under the current situation, it is difficult for the continental tournament to be held there, fully guaranteeing the safety of everyone present.
Ceferin, for the moment, refuses to publicly confirm anything and is waiting to see the evolution of the pandemic to make decisions. In an interview with #NoticiasVamos, he guaranteed that the Eurocup would be played, although he questioned the format that had been announced long ago. “I have to say that we could make one Euro in eleven, five or one country instead of twelve“, he assured. For the moment, Le Parisien points out new data: UEFA is already studying Russia as a possible sole venue.