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Behind the Turf: The Science and Art of Pitch Perfection for UEFA EURO 2024

Jun 13

8 min read

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Introduction


The UEFA EURO 2024 football championship, set to take place in Germany, is poised to be one of the most exciting and competitive tournaments in recent memory. As millions of fans eagerly await the kickoff, much of the focus naturally falls on the players and teams.


However, behind the scenes, an equally important aspect of the tournament's success is being meticulously prepared: the football pitches themselves. The quality of the turf can significantly influence the flow of the game, the safety of the players, and, ultimately, the spectator's experience.


This article delves into the intricate details of pitch preparation for one of the summer's most significant sporting events, UEFA EURO 2024. We will explore the technical aspects, key preparation milestones, and players' perceptions of the pitches. Our goal is to shed light on the immense effort and expertise required behind the scenes to ensure the playing surfaces are both safe for athletes and visually stunning for fans, enabling the beautiful game to unfold seamlessly.


Overview of UEFA EURO 2024 Stadiums


UEFA EURO 2024 will be hosted in ten iconic stadiums across Germany, each offering a unique atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities. These venues have been carefully selected to showcase the best of German architecture, fan experience, and football tradition. Here's a look at the stadiums that will set the stage for Europe's premier football tournament:


1. Olympiastadion Berlin, Berlin

2. RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne

3. Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

4. Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf

5. Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt

6. Volksparkstadion, Hamburg

7. Red Bull Arena, Leipzig

8. Allianz Arena, Munich

9. Stuttgart Arena (MHPArena), Stuttgart

10. Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen


These ten stadiums not only provide top-tier facilities for players and fans but also reflect the rich football culture and architectural prowess of Germany. As we look forward to Euro 2024, these venues are being meticulously prepared to deliver a seamless and memorable experience, with special attention to the quality of the playing surfaces. All the matches will be played on the hybrid pitches, these are the pitches that combine natural grass with synthetic fibers. It creates a durable and consistent playing surface and is widely used in professional football. 


Key Components of hybrid pitches:

  1. Natural Grass: Provides the traditional playing experience.

  2. Synthetic Fibers: Reinforce the natural grass, enhancing stability and durability.

  3. Sub-base and Soil: Engineered layers with drainage and irrigation systems to support the hybrid system.



Benefits:

  1. Durability: More resistant to wear and tear, ideal for frequent use.

  2. Consistency: Offers a uniform playing surface, improving performance and safety.

  3. Improved Recovery: Faster regeneration of natural grass after use.

  4. Weather Resilience: Better drainage and resistance to extreme weather conditions.

  5. Reduced Maintenance: Requires less intensive repair work compared to natural grass pitches.


While the main action unfolds at the stadiums, it is crucial to highlight the significant role of training grounds during the tournament. Training pitches must meet the highest standards and match the quality of those in the stadiums, and they are assessed as strictly as stadiums. The national teams' training sessions will occur on grass pitches at designated team base camps.


Following the group stage draw on December 2, 2023, in Hamburg, all training bases, except for those of teams in the playoff round, have been contractually secured by the respective football associations.


Pitch Preparation and Maintenance Guidelines for Euro 2024


UEFA EURO 2024, as a prestigious tournament, upholds the highest standards for its playing surfaces. Consequently, meticulous preparation commences well in advance of the tournament's kickoff. Let's delve into the essential pitch requirements set for UEFA EURO 2024.


Type of Pitch, Usage, and Preparation


The stadium must have a natural grass pitch that was installed at least one year before the tournament. The pitch must be absolutely smooth and level. To ensure the highest quality playing surface suitable for a premier international football event like UEFA EURO 2024, the stadium must restrict non-football events on the pitch for two months before the tournament. Additionally, no events, including football matches, should take place on the pitch during the month immediately preceding the tournament.


Machinery and Maintenance


The stadium must provide all necessary maintenance equipment, and submit a detailed maintenance program six months before the tournament. Key equipment includes ride-on and walk-behind mowers for precise trimming, top dressers for spreading materials evenly, and sprayers with advanced technology for accurate treatment application. Aerators improve soil health, while utility vehicles and trailers facilitate efficient transport of materials. Miscellaneous tools like sod cutters and line trimmers ensure detailed care. To ensure proper upkeep of the pitch at all times, a qualified groundskeeper (and ideally a deputy groundskeeper) must be appointed. UEFA will assist in modifying the maintenance program if needed to improve pitch conditions.


Irrigation, Drainage, Heating, and Composting


The pitch must have a fully automated drainage system and an irrigation (sprinkler) system that covers all areas. Water optimization should be encouraged, such as using rainwater. Composting of grass clippings is mandatory, and the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers should be considered.


Quality Checks and Contingency Plan


UEFA provides detailed instructions regarding pitch quality through the "UEFA Pitch Quality Guidelines" document. The stadium and turf farm undergo quality assurance checks by expert pitch management consultants appointed by UEFA. Six months before the tournament, the stadium must submit a detailed maintenance program. This program must include approximately 800m² of reserve turf of the same quality and composition for re-turfing purposes. Depending on pitch conditions, UEFA may require a complete re-turfing (approximately 7,000m² of the same quality and composition) at the stadium's expense within a short time frame, and the stadium must be prepared to comply with this requirement. 


Testing standards by FIFA 


To comply with the pitch standards requirements, pitches have to undergo full assessments that is designed to be performed by a FIFA Accredited Test Institutes to evaluate the agronomy performance, with the following -, player safety and performance (player/surface interaction and ball/ surface interaction) of a new installation, an existing installation, or an installation prior to a tournament. An initial assessment of all UEFA Euro 2024 stadiums and training pitches took place in 2022. 


Agronomic performance 


  • Compaction severity, 

  • Soil hardness,

  • Infiltration rate, 

  • Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), 

  • Sward height, 

  • Root depth, 

  • Thatch depth, 

  • Sward colour, 

  • Ground coverage, 

  • Percent of  Weed content, 

  • Percent of Insect pests, 

  • Diseases, 

  • Volumetric soil moisture content, 

  • Soil health analysis


All of the above evaluations consider the health and quality of the turf and supporting infrastructure and contributes to the overall quality of the football pitch so that the parameters of the Player and Safety performance of the pitch could meet the criteria. 


Player and Safety Performance 

- focuses on how players and the ball interact with the surface. 


  • Vertical ball rebound 

  • Ball roll 

  • Shock absorption 

  • Vertical deformation 

  • Energy restitution 

  • Rotational resistance 

  • Evenness


Let’s have a closer look at what the player and safety test are and why they are so important. The Ball rebound measures how a football responds when it vertically rebounds off the surface. Typically, a ball bounces higher off a hard surface and lower off a soft, muddy one. Turf density also plays a role, with denser turf offering less bounce. Players expect the ball to behave predictably when rebounding off the pitch. If the ball's behavior is inconsistent, they must adjust, which becomes more challenging if the pitch varies in hardness or grass cover.


Ball roll refers to the speed at which the ball moves across the surface. A ball that rolls farther encounters less resistance from the turf, leading to faster movement. Factors influencing ball roll include grass height and density, the type of grass cultivar, and the moisture level on the grass.

Shock absorption testing mechanically simulates the impact a player feels when running on the surface. Deformation measures how much the surface depresses under a player's weight. Excessive deformation can make the surface feel unstable, requiring players to adjust their movements.


Rotational resistance gauges the grip a player feels when changing direction. Too much grip stresses the lower-extremity joints, while too little grip causes the player to lose control and potentially slip.


Surface planarity testing evaluates the evenness of the pitch. Significant surface irregularities can adversely affect ball movement, causing it to bobble or deviate from its intended path.


All the tests must be performed in the specific positions (19 points), indicated in the picture below:


FIFA QUALITY PROGRAMME FOR NATURAL PLAYING SURFACES 

Challenges


Maintaining high-quality pitches for UEFA EURO 2024 comes with a set of unique challenges. However, with strategic planning and innovative solutions, these challenges can be effectively managed to ensure optimal playing conditions throughout the tournament.


Weather Conditions

Variable weather, including heavy rain, extreme heat, and unexpected storms, can adversely affect pitch quality.


High Usage


Frequent matches and training sessions can lead to wear and tear, resulting in uneven surfaces and damaged turf.


Disease and Pest Management


Turf diseases and pests can quickly deteriorate the quality of the playing surface.


Player Safety


Ensuring the pitch is safe for players, minimizing the risk of injuries.


Resource Management


Efficiently managing resources such as water, fertilizers, and manpower.

Maintaining high-quality pitches is undoubtedly a challenging task that demands extensive knowledge and skills. Although some factors, such as weather conditions, are beyond our control, there are certainly ways to optimize other elements of pitch management.


Player Perspectives


In this article, we have already explored the various measurements used to assess pitch performance. Players are the primary individuals who interact with the pitch, and therefore, the quality of the playing surface should be assessed from their perspective as well. Ensuring a top-notch pitch is essential for athletes to perform at their best, ensuring their safety and enhancing their overall experience. 


  • Performance: A smooth, well-maintained pitch allows players to perform at their best, enabling precise passing, dribbling, and shooting. The consistency of the surface ensures that players can rely on predictable ball behavior, which is essential for executing complex plays and strategies. A simple example of this is a mowing height - according to Grossi, N., et al., 2003 “Ball rebound was higher at 10 and 15 mm mowing height being (79 and 78% of rebound, respectively). At higher mowing height rebound decreased and the lowest value was obtained at 25 mm (56%). Furthermore, Straw et al, 2020 argue that within-field variability of surface properties affects team speed.

  • Safety: The safety of the players is paramount, and a high-quality pitch reduces the risk of injuries. Properly maintained grass and a well-designed drainage system prevent slipping and falling, while the right level of firmness reduces the likelihood of muscle strains and joint injuries. According to Mears et al., 2018  “Over 90% of players perceive a link between the playing surface and injuries.” Moreover, Rennie, 2019 “Perceptions that natural turf pitches can cause injury were reported by over 96% of physiotherapists, managers/coaches (96%), and sports scientists (91%).”

  • Comfort: Playing on a high-quality pitch enhances player comfort, allowing them to focus entirely on the game without worrying about uneven surfaces or poor turf conditions. This mental ease can boost their confidence and overall performance.

  • Recovery: Training and playing on high-quality pitches contribute to quicker recovery times between matches. The consistency and cushioning provided by well-maintained grass help reduce wear and tear on players' bodies, ensuring they are in peak condition for each game.  Katkat et al. 2009 argue that there may be higher energy expenditure on more compliant pitches, supported by evidence of a negative correlation between surface compliance and oxygen consumption


In conclusion, a top-quality pitch not only enhances the visual spectacle but also ensures exciting and competitive matches, providing a safe and optimal playing environment for the world's best footballers. As we look forward to UEFA EURO 2024, maintaining these high standards will be crucial for delivering a memorable tournament for players and fans alike.


At turfcoach, we understand the vital importance of efficient pitch management. That’s why we’ve developed an AI-driven solution for grounds managers, offering data-driven insights on pitch quality and maintenance. Our technology not only enhances turf durability and athlete safety but also reduces the use of fertilizers, water, and energy. By embracing such innovative approaches, we can ensure the continued excellence of football pitches, contributing to the overall success of major sporting events like UEFA EURO 2024.


Jun 13

8 min read

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484

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