Homeless Euro 2024 Kicks Off in Hamburg

Under-privileged people from eight nations began competing in a "Homeless Euro 2024" tournament running parallel to the main championship and intended to share the joys of football with those who have suffered on the street.

Teams from Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden paraded into Hamburg's fan zone at the start of the week-long event organized by a local charity and funded by donations.

Co-organiser from anstoss (kickoff) charity and student learning sports management, finn graefe, saying: "The great part about this event is that it's really just about fun. Sure, everyone wants to win, I'm a competitor myself, I really love to win. But this tournament is about fun and about inclusivity and just giving people chances and I think that is what is great about it. We see the companionship and sportsmanship here. I think that's actually something that I admire more than when watching professional football for example."

Without the glitz and glamor of the main Euro 2024, the alternative version started in front of a smattering of people at a small pitch inside the fan zone. Four-person teams of both men and women played games of seven-minute halves.

Organizers from the charity Anstoss (Kickoff) said it was important to highlight the issue of homelessness to those who did not understand it.

"This is like my second family," beamed Polish player Patryk Bialek, 24. He described taking drugs for eight years and sleeping under a bridge before he went for rehabilitation, rebuilt his life - and rediscovered a boyhood love of football.

Some of the participants have also participated in the "Homeless World Cup", whose last edition was in the U.S.