Uefa Hit By Euro 2008 TV Blackout
UEFA suffered an embarrassing TV blackout during Germany’s 3-2 semi-final win over Turkey at Euro 2008 with live pictures broadcast around the world cut three times at crucial moments during the game.
A thunderstorm is thought to have been to blame for interrupting the transmission of live pictures during the game due to an electrical storm in Vienna.
The game was played in Basel, Switzerland, but the blackout appeared to have originated at the International Broadcast Centre in Vienna.
A UEFA spokesman said an investigation had been launched into the problems.
A statement read: ‘The television signal in the International Broadcast Centre for the Germany-Turkey game has been interrupted several times in the second half due to technical reasons which are currently being investigated, in particular to evaluate the impact of the violent electrical storm over Vienna at that time.’
The heavy rain, high winds and lightning also sparked the evacuation of a fan zone in central Vienna.
Authorities said they gave the order to close the area at 22:15 local time after the storm unleashed winds exceeding 100km/h (60mph).
Two people were injured after being trampled in the rush to leave the area, police said.
