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The temporary installation transforms the bridge into a symbolic meeting place on matchdays.
At 11:30 a.m., artist Klaus Littmann, together with Sabine Horvath, overall project manager of Host City Basel, welcomed two delegations: On the French side, Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation, and Erwan Le Prévost, Deputy Director General of the French Football Federation, were present. The German delegation was represented by Sabine Mammitzsch, Head of Delegation for the German team, and Ralph-Uwe Schaffert, Vice President of the German Football Association (DFB).
Both sides jointly signed one of the large footballs and left a personal message – a sign of sporting solidarity in the context of today’s quarterfinal between France and Germany.
The Essence of «Bridge Kick»
Artist Klaus Littmann commented on the gathering: “What a day! Today, representatives from all three countries of the tri-border region met on the Middle Bridge to sign the fourth ball.” He added: “The quarterfinal between France and Germany is undoubtedly a sporting highlight. But the messages the teams leave on these balls repeatedly show what really matters: personal exchange and genuine encounters. That is the essence of ‘Bridge Kick’ – and it’s exactly these values that Basel actively demonstrates as a host city for the EURO.”
The “Bridge Kick” installation, with its five footballs, stands symbolically for the five matches held at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park. At the opening of the tournament, Coumba Sow, Swiss national player, and Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, signed the first ball. One week later, ahead of the Germany vs. Denmark match, the second ball was signed – by Sabine Mammitzsch and Mads Magaard, Event Manager of the Danish delegation.
The group stage match between the Netherlands and France also turned the bridge into a place of encounter: Representatives of the French national team – including team manager Jules Wolgust, team doctor Vincent Detaille, press officer Laura Gaudry, and physiotherapist Régis Bouyaux – signed a ball together with Gijs de Jong, Secretary General of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB), and Event Manager Daniëlle Göbel.
Press release, Host City Basel, 19.07.25
