L 180/8 Official Journal of the European Union 10.7.2007 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 June 2007 on the compatibility with Community law of measures taken by Germany pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (2007/476[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (') and in particular Article 3a(2) thereof, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee established pursuant to Article 23a of Directive 89/552/EEC, Whereas: (1) By letter of 28 April 1999, Germany notified to the Commission measures to be taken pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC. (2)  The Commission verified, within three months from this notification, that such measures are compatible with Community law, in particular as regards the propor- tionality of the measures and the transparency of the national consultation procedure. (3)  In its examination, the Commission took into consid- eration the available data on the German media landscape. (4 The list of events of major importance for society included in the German measures was drawn up in a clear and transparent manner. () O] L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60). () The Commission was satisfied that the events listed in the German measures met at least two of the following criteria  considered to be reliable indicators of the importance of events for society: (i) a special general resonance within the Member State, and not simply a significance to those who ordinarily follow the sport or activity concerned; (i) a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the population in the Member State, in particular as a catalyst of cultural identity; (iii) involvement of the national team in the event concerned in the context of a competition or tournament of inter- national importance; and (iv) the fact that the event has traditionally been broadcast on free television and has commanded large television audiences. A significant number of the events listed in the German measures, including the summer and winter Olympic games, all European Championship and World Cup football matches involving the German national team, as well as the opening match, the semi-finals and the finals of these tournaments, fall within the category of events traditionally considered to be of major importance for society, as referred to explicitly in recital 18 of Directive 97/36/EC. These events have a special general resonance in Germany, as they are particularly popular with the general public, not just with those who usually follow sport events. The particular attention given, even in the non- specialised press, to the remaining events listed, including the semi-finals and final of the German FA Cup, the German national football team’s home and away matches, and the final of any European football club competition (Champions League, UEFA Cup) involving a German club, testifies to their special general resonance in Germany. The events listed have a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the German population, given their important contribution to understanding between peoples, as well as the importance of sport for the German society as a whole and for the national pride, as they provide the occasion for top German sportsmen to succeed in these most important international compe- titions.