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Roof intruder at Germany Euros game wanted to take ‘good photos’

German police said Sunday a 21-year-old man who climbed onto the roof of the stadium during Germany's Euro 2024 clash against Denmark wanted to document the stunt.

Published: 30 June 2024 13:59 CEST

Germany supporters watch the round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark at the BVB Stadion Dortmund.

Germany supporters watch the round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. Photo: INA FASSBENDER/AFP.

The intruder at the Westfalen stadium in Dortmund told law enforcement after his arrest he only wanted to take “good photos”, local police said in a statement.

The man was spotted in the rafters of the stadium on Saturday at 10:11 pm (2011 GMT) during the last-16 match, police said.

Authorities “observed the 21-year-old continuously”, using police drones and a helicopter to illuminate the roof and track the situation, they said.

“At no point was there any danger to other people in the stadium,” police said.

READ ALSO: German fans dance to the tune of the ‘saxophone guy’

“The man finally followed the police’s instructions and returned to a walkway under the roof at 11:44 pm,” and was arrested.

Play in the match was interrupted in the first half due to intense thunderstorms around the stadium and rainwater pouring onto the pitch from the roof.

A search revealed the man on the roof was from Osnabrueck in northeast Germany and was “carrying camera equipment” in his backpack, police said.

Investigators have established that he has previously climbed other tall buildings in Germany on at least two occasions, they said.

According to German daily Bild, the man was following an online trend, in which people climb tall buildings unsecured and film themselves in the process to later post the images on social media.

Criminal proceedings had been opened against the climber on suspicion of trespassing, police said.

He was released from custody while the investigation continued.

Germany progressed to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-0 win against the Danes at the home of Borussia Dortmund.

Police said they would talk to tournament organisers UEFA about “how the accused was able to enter the stadium unhindered and get onto the roof”.

“UEFA employs its own staff to ensure security in and around the stadium,” police said.

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Berlin's Turkish community stoked for Euro 2024 quarter-final 'home game'

“The atmosphere will be like a home game for us,” said Muhammet Ali Sevilmis, 36, who runs a phone repair shop in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.

There will be “mainly Turks in the stadium”, predicted Sevilmis, who himself forked out 500 euros ($540) for a ticket after Turkey’s victory against Austria to reach the quarter-finals.

“For us Turks, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s 100 euros more or less. The main thing is that we’re in the stadium celebrating on the day,” he told AFP.

Sevilmis will be joined in Berlin’s Olympiastadion by Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish leader has announced his attendance amid a spiralling diplomatic row over an alleged ultra-nationalist hand sign made by Turkish defender Merih Demiral during his team’s win over Austria.

German officials have condemned the hand gesture and UEFA has launched an investigation for “inappropriate behaviour”, prompting Ankara to hit back against the accusations as “xenophobia”.

Ambassadors of both countries were summoned in tit-for-tat moves as the episode once again laid bare the political tensions that often engulf Germany’s Turkish community.

With emotions expected to run high at the match, Berlin police have said they will deploy more officers, classifying Saturday’s quarter-final as a “high-risk game”.

READ ALSO: Erdogan to attend Euro 2024 match in Berlin as diplomatic row spirals

‘We are the hosts’

But fans shrugged off the concerns, saying they are just looking forward to a nice party.

Berlin is home to the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey, many of them the descendants of “guest workers” invited under a massive economic programme in the 1960s and 70s.

Around 200,000 people with Turkish roots currently live in the city, or around six percent of the total population.

The Kreuzberg district in particular has become a hub for Turkish culture and restaurants serving the famous Döner kebab.

Kavurma-Kofte, a small Turkish eatery with a terrace on one of the main streets running through the neighbourhood, will be showing the match on a big screen on Saturday.

“It is special because many Turks live in Berlin and we will be the hosts,” said owner Kemal Salis, 64.

The restaurant is fully booked for Saturday, Salis said.

“We have not seen the Turkish team in such good form for a long time. It’s an atmosphere we have missed,” he said.

At Imren, another Turkish restaurant nearby, the excitement was tangible.

Street party

Ibrahim Filikci, 29, was still hoarse voice from celebrating the team’s win against Austria on Kurfürstendamm, one of Berlin’s main shopping avenues where thousands of Turks gathered on Tuesday night.

Arrests were reported at a previous gathering on the street, but Filikci said the mood was peaceful.

“(The street) was completely blocked off. Police were there but everything was fine. No problems, no fights, everything was great,” he said.

Tahsin Yilmaz, 53, said he will be supporting both teams on Saturday, wearing half red and half orange, as his father worked in the Netherlands.

“I like the Netherlands and I want to party with them, drink with them, etc. The Dutch are very nice and friendly, you can have a nice time with them, dance and have fun,” he said.

Dutch fans have brought a lively atmosphere to the tournament so far, filling German cities with their bright orange shirts.

But Sevilmis believes they will be no match for the Turks in Berlin.

“We know the Orange. It won’t be a competition, you’ll understand what I mean on the day,” he said.

Turks living in Germany have sometimes come under fire for their continued loyalty to the Turkish team, despite Germany having several players with Turkish roots — including captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Sevilmis, who was born in Berlin, pointed out that if all goes well for Türkiye, they could eventually face Germany in the final.

Would he still support Turkey then?

“Of course.”

By Femke Colborne

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