Football Chronicles 

Buckle up, fellow football fans, as I take you on a sidesplitting journey through my escapades at UEFA events. From the grandiosity of Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie to the glamour of Monaco and the functional brilliance of Budapest's Puskás Aréna, these events had me laughing, learning, and occasionally facepalming in the pursuit of football excellence.

I’ll start with the latest one - EURO 2024 Final Draw held in Hamburg (December 2023) where I was coordinating Editorial Content Services (ECS) team and assisting Broadcast Partner Services. I enjoyed every minute of it - not just because I was so impressed with Hamburg as city, but also the event itself. Held in Elbphilharmonie, a venue that just takes your breath away. Metaphorically, because of its amazing architecture and acoustic features, but also literally, due to its 26 levels and thousands of corridors, halls, rooms and access zones. Navigating the venue felt like a level from a Super Mario game.

Considering the number of people involved, I witnessed how one event can give you a stress-free experience. A big organizational structure meant we could focus on our tasks without morphing into Hecatoncheires. Naturally, no collective effort is flawless, and we did encounter certain challenges (if you've watched it, you understand). Nevertheless, this served as a breath of fresh air in contrast to my past experiences. While rubbing shoulders with prominent football names and gaining insights from industry experts was an added perk that I wholeheartedly embraced.

Switching to the second event, I was part of ECS and Live Broadcast team at the Club Competitions Draw held in Monaco (August 2023). Ah Monaco, the synonym for luxury and extravagance - me hiring helicopter ride for the first time ever surely proves that. Unlike Hamburg, this playground of the rich and famous failed to dazzle after coming there straight from Croatian coast, but maybe this is just me being bias…

Meanwhile, I gained knowledge of internal processes and saw all of my office colleagues in action for the first time. I’ve found this very valuable because as always, all of your theoretical learnings come in place once you see the practical side of it - then all somehow makes sense. Thanks to my previous experiences, I managed to fit in quite quickly and be helpful - which always makes me feel good. Also, I have to mention the amazing video content my team made - it was capturing the entire club season with up-to-date editing effects. It was so simple, yet human and emotional that it made me proud and once again reminded me why I do what I do.

Last but not least, was the Europa League Final held in Budapest (May 2023). This was a special one since it was my first football match at UEFA. There is something special to this football excitement - players fully devoted to 90 minutes of suspense, packed stands and fans creating an atmosphere so electric it could power entire village… And on the other side, working with the ENG crews, commentators, photographers and digital teams who captured and transmitted this ambience was personally rewarding.

Again, I have to mention the importance of the venue layout. Puskás Aréna, the Hungarian masterpiece, wasn't just a stadium - it was a logistical marvel. I've never seen a venue so perfectly designed for everyone, from fans to players to the unsung heroes of backstage (my team being part of them!). And just to drop a thought, the number of big sports events they’ve hosted in last years is impressive – Hungary, take a bow!

As I look back at these uproarious adventures, I can't help but appreciate the blend of chaos, camaraderie, and downright hilarity that UEFA events bring. From Elbphilharmonie's architectural maze to Monaco's glamorous dance and Budapest's logistical symphony, each experience was a comedy of errors and triumphs. Here's to more laughter, learning, and the beautiful game that keeps us all on our toes - cheers!