“We want to organise the best UEFA European Football Championship of all time,” says Martin Kallen, COO of Euro 2008 SA. Preparations are under way in three offices – the headquarters in Nyon as well as in Berne and Vienna. In July 2006, Euro 2008 SA had 51 full-time members of staff; by the time the tournament begins in 2008, it is likely to have around 300. Approximately 1,500 people (including volunteers) will be involved with the organisation of each of the 31 final round matches, including stewards, security staff, technicians and officials. Frenchspeaking Geneva and German-speakingVienna are around 1,000 kilometres apart; their laws and mentalities could hardly be more different. Nevertheless, the tournament is meant to be a harmonious celebration– what a challenge!