subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now
Franz Beckenbauer. File photo: STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS
Franz Beckenbauer. File photo: STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS

Bengaluru — Germany’s late World Cup-winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer will be honoured by Uefa at the Euro 2024 opening ceremony in the Munich Football Arena on Friday, European soccer’s governing body said.

Beckenbauer, one of his country’s greatest players, captained West Germany to a European Championship triumph in 1972 and a World Cup success in 1974 before winning the World Cup again as manager in 1990. He died in January aged 78.

The opening ceremony will see Beckenbauer’s wife Heidi carry the Henri Delaunay Cup — the tournament’s championship trophy — with Germany’s two Euro-winning captains Bernard Dietz and Juergen Klinsmann.

This will ensure “all three of Germany’s Uefa Euro triumphs are reflected,” Uefa said.

The venue of the ceremony is also home to Bayern Munich, the club where Beckenbauer played for over a decade, winning three successive European Cups from 1974 to 1976.

The opening ceremony will precede Germany’s opening match in the tournament against Scotland in Group A.

Reuters

subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.