Every arena has its flavors, but the Olympiastadion in Berlin with a unique solution drew the attention of even BBC commentators during the Netherlands - Austria match. It is... the escalator that the players slide down on their way to the turf. Although a peculiar discovery for many, this is not the first time they have caused a furor.

Down...and up

The Netherlands - Austria match played on Tuesday, June 25 at Olympiastadion Berlin turned the table of the Group D upside down. Marcel Sabitzer's goal in the 80th minute gave Austria the first place, pushing the favorite, France, to second. While the encounter that ended 2:3 for the Austrians was exciting, BBC commentators were curious about the moving staircase that players from both teams descended on their way to the turf just before the game.

Presenter Gabby Logan seemed surprised by this unique solution. The teams are heading out to the pitch via escalator - she stated. It made less of an impression on the other commentator, Thomas Hitzlesperger, who, while representing Germany at the World Cup 2006 had descended those stairs himself. It’s quite a fun bit of the stadium - he admitted. Logan then asked James McFadden whether that was the most unusual way he had seen players enter the pitch. Yeah, I’ve never seen that before - I would’ve used it - joked the retired Scottish player.

However, this is not the first time the staircase has drawn the attention of commentators. Before the 2015 Champions League final (FC Barcelona 3:1 Juventus), former Blaugrana defender Dani Alves to the delight of Neymar decided that he would stretch by sliding down with his feet and hands on the handrails, without touching the steps themselves.

© BBC

The road to the final

Berlin's Olympic Stadium specializes in big events. Historians know it from the Nazi Olympic Games in 1936, and modern soccer fans from the 2006 World Cup final, the German Cup final played in Berlin since 1985, or just the 2015 Champions League final.

During the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament, Olympiastadion Berlin has already hosted 3 group stage matches this far. The stadium will also host the round of 16 clash between Switzerland and Italy on June 29, the July 6 quarterfinal, and on July 14 the final, which will determine who will be the European champions.

Learn more about the EURO 2024 stadiums in the video on our Youtube channel: