Germany-Denmark Euro 2024 Round of 16 match interrupted in unprecedented circumstances

The 1/8-final match between Germany and Denmark at Euro 2024 has been temporarily suspended due to unfavorable weather.

In the 34th minute of Saturday’s match at the Signal Iduna in Dortmund, referee Michael Oliver ordered players from both teams to leave the pitch.

As you can see in the footage below, a massive lightning bolt can be seen above the stadium as players and staff gathered on the sideline.

It was confirmed that the match would be suspended for at least 30 minutes and there would be a further delay if there was another lightning strike within 10 miles of the stadium.

However, after half an hour of play, both teams were back in the game as the weather conditions improved.

So what would happen if a round of 16 tie was called off mid-match?

“If a match cannot start or cannot be played in its entirety, the full or remaining time of the match will generally be played the following day, without prejudice to any disciplinary measures,” he says. UEFA rules and regulations.

“To this end, host associations must enter into all necessary agreements to ensure that the required facilities are available and serviceable.”

If the match cannot be rescheduled to the following day, the UEFA administration will set a new date during or as close as possible to the international match.

The change of date may result in exceptions to the regular match schedule.

“As a rule, the rescheduled match is played in the same place,” adds UEFA. “If circumstances require a change of venue, the UEFA administration must approve an alternative venue.

“In particularly urgent cases and in order to ensure that the match can be completed, if necessary, without spectators, the host association must provide a backup stadium for approval by the UEFA administration. In the case of backup stadiums in emergency situations, exceptions to all existing stadium requirements may be made.”