Switzerland may have bid a fond farewell to UEFA EURO 2008™ after Germany's epic semi-final defeat of Turkey, but the benefits of co-staging the competition could be felt for years to come as 2.7 million people poured into its four host cities to enjoy 15 matches and "a euphoric atmosphere".

Target achieved
Lining up alongside a number of other dignitaries at a conference at the Kaserne Fan Zone, Benedikt Weibel, delegate of the federal assembly for UEFA EURO 2008™, said: "Switzerland played its role as host very well. The EURO was peaceful at all times and the atmosphere was good, and at times euphoric." The target – to perfectly organise 15 football matches while simultaneously attempting to achieve a cheery, peaceful festival which unites supporters – was achieved.

'Looking forward'
Federal counsellor Samuel Schmid added that "the federation and cantons, as well as the police and army, worked wonderfully together", while Weibel said co-operation with counterparts from Austria "functioned very well on all levels". Some 2,600 police officers worked a combined 50,000 working days to ensure the safety of the 2.7 million supporters visiting Geneva, Basel, Berne and Zurich to attend matches in the four stadiums and at official UEFA EURO 2008™ Fan Zones. These figures could yet be swelled, as Weibel said: "The EURO isn't over yet. We're still looking forward to the second semi and, of course, the final."