Platini's pride and joy

Special final
"Reaching a final is always special, but reaching one for the first time or for the first time in many years is something extra special," he says. "That is why I am happy to welcome you to a match that brings together FC Zenit from Saint Petersburg and Rangers FC from Glasgow - a Russian club which has performed exceptionally well in qualifying for its first ever final and a Scottish team which has not played one for over 30 years and which is making its first appearance in the final of this competition.

Magnificent stadium
"As destiny would have it, their opponents at Camp Nou in Barcelona in 1972 were also Russian. This match is being played in an equally magnificent stadium which is making its debut as the venue for a UEFA Cup final. I know that Manchester is not a capital city, but it is a true European capital of football, with long and deep-rooted traditions. The city has a passion for football. And the teams who play there - as [Manchester] United [FC] will hope to demonstrate in Moscow next week - approach the game with an attacking philosophy aimed at responding to their supporters' ideals."

Enjoy the party
The UEFA President concluded: "So, in welcoming you to Manchester for an occasion which will be absolutely unique to most of the spectators, I encourage you to enjoy the party to the full and to offer a worldwide audience the best possible image of two clubs who are challenging for a taste of European glory and who deserve a great round of applause for reaching this season's UEFA Cup final."