Balls fly back and forth on an artificial turf surface the size of a living room. A goal wall with four large holes is the goal. In the middle of it all is a blue advertising banner with the UEFA Euro 2024 logo. Stephan Conrad stands behind the barrier of the soccer pitch, talking to the people waiting there and giving them instructions on the rules of the game.
Last week, Conrad had his first assignment as a European Championship volunteer on the 1.4 kilometer fan mile on the river Main in Frankfurt. On his first day, things are still pretty quiet at first. The queue at the Speed Goal, one of the three soccer hands-on activities in the fan zone, is manageable. Two players compete against each other on opposite pitches. The winner is the player with the least balls in their field after 90 seconds. To do this, the players have to shoot as many balls as possible through a goal wall into the opponent's field.
"The organizers have come up with some great activities," explains Conrad. " The fans shall not only watch soccer here, but become active themselves and experience something." Conrad had already got himself in the mood for the European Championship in August last year when he received an invitation to interview for a UEFA volunteer position for Frankfurt. He had previously filled out a questionnaire on the UEFA website and written a letter of motivation. In January of this year, Conrad was then accepted for one of the 1,600 places. Over ten times as many had applied to volunteer in Frankfurt. A total of 16,000 volunteers will be working at EURO 2024 in Germany.
Equipped for all weather conditions
When applying, applicants could specify their preferred area of work - whether it was transport, marketing, VIP or childcare. "I just left it open for myself," says Conrad. When he was assigned to the hands-on activities on the Fan Mile, it was an immediate fit for him. The European Championship is his first volunteer assignment in the soccer sector. He was involved in the public viewing on the Main during the home World Cup in the summer of 2006. This experience inspired him a little for his current assignment.
In his stylish volunteer outfit, Conrad cannot be overlooked in the fan zone. Yellow cap, light green sports jacket with yellow stripes and gray sports pants from Adidas is his outfit on this day. UEFA has equipped him perfectly for all weather conditions: Two T-shirts, another pair of sports shorts and a rain jacket are also part of his repertoire. "You feel very valued as a volunteer," says Conrad.
UEFA also offered the volunteers a great briefing in the run-up to the event. A month and a half ago, for example, he was invited to a kick-off event with celebrities in the Höchster sports hall in Frankfurt to get into the mood; also to get to know other volunteers. There he met a "colorful cross-section of generations" - from 18 to 85 years old. A week before the start of his first assignment today, there was also a briefing in the Frankfurt Römer, where only the volunteers from the Fan Zone came together. Conrad only found out where he would be working today shortly before his start, when the group of around 20 volunteers stood together and distributed themselves among the hands-on activities.
Six shifts in total
In addition to the Speed Goal, fans can put their soccer skills to the test on the Fan Mile at the Speed Master and in a duel against the RoboKeeper. Teams can then play against each other on the Floating Pitch, a floating soccer field. Those who prefer something less sporty can switch to the three e-sports stations, where guests can play virtually against teams. Visitors to the Fan Mile can watch the actual soccer matches on a total of ten public viewing screens and a floating big screen.
Conrad's first assignment of the day lasts until half past five. Five more will follow for him. His last assignment will be on the final day. "It will certainly be much busier here then," he estimates. He takes time off for his shifts during the week by accumulating overtime. After the European Championships, another big closing ceremony awaits him together with the other volunteers. "It's just great to be part of this event," says Conrad.
Anyone who has become interested in a volunteer job at a sporting event: Helpers are still being needed for this year's Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 27. Further information can be found here.
Soccer skills are required in the duel against the RoboKeeper.
Fan Zone Info
The free Fan Zone is still open until July 14: Mondays to Fridays from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to midnight. Further information about the Fan Zone is available here.