Euro 2008 picks up first official sponsor

Adjust font size:

The first ball has yet to be kicked in this summer’s World Cup in Germany, but sponsorship activity is already underway for the European Championships in Switzerland and Austria in 2008. Continental, an international automotive supplier has become the first official partner for Euro 2008, leaving three sponsor slots for the tournament.

UEFA announced it was in negotiations for two of the remaining sponsorships with the fourth slot still open. As sponsor, Continental acquired broadcast sponsorship in connection with the live television broadcasts in Europe. “We are delighted to have a partner such as Continental, who has already got extremely close links with football. We are also confident that for UEFA EURO 2008 the levels of media coverage and interest of the general sporting public will outstrip even those lofty heights we reached with the hugely successful UEFA EURO 20004 in Portugal. We therefore welcome Continental on board and look forward to a close and fruitful relationship," UEFA CEO, Lars-Christer Olsson said on the UEFA website.

“This top-level sponsorship will enable us to continue using football as the central communications platform to focus attention on our premium tyre brand Continental,” explained Manfred Wennemer, Chairman of the board of Continental AG.