Algerian fans revel in Trophy Tour

The idyllic seafront location of the Sheraton Club de Pins Resort and Towers in the Algerian capital Algiers was the setting for the latest leg of the successful and popular UEFA Trophy Tour, presented by Heineken.

Two-day occasion
The event – the second leg of this spring's Trophy Tour to Africa after last month's kick-off in Nigeria – began on Wednesday with a press conference and VIP evening, followed by Thursday's public day which saw approximately 2,000 invited football fans get close to European club football's most prestigious prize.

Ambassador Madjer
Algeria's UEFA Trophy Tour Ambassador was national legend Rabah Madjer – famous for his audacious back-heeled goal for FC Porto in the 1987 European Champion Clubs' Cup final which helped to overcome FC Bayern München in Vienna, and African Footballer of the Year that same year. Madjer, hugely revered in Algeria, greeted supporters wanting both his autograph and the chance to have their photo taken with their idol, who also delighted the crowd by accompanying a world champion football skills performer in a display of top-class technique.

Memorabilia display
In addition, visitors enjoyed acrobatic performing artists, percussion artists who added a real flavour of Algeria to proceedings, and DJs, as well as the memorabilia display and pillars portraying the history of the UEFA Champions League and its forerunner, the Champions' Cup.

Egypt and South Africa
The Trophy Tour now moves to Egypt and South Africa, following the event in Algiers which brought the UEFA Champions League experience to another new market, with fans genuinely grateful to have taken part in a unique day. UEFA feels that touring the trophy outside Europe is an important part of sharing the excitement and heritage of the UEFA Champions League with supporters on different continents, with visitors learning about UEFA's values and perhaps being encouraged to play football themselves. Heineken is a long-standing UEFA partner, and the tour gives them an ideal promotional platform, strengthening their relationship with the UEFA Champions League even further.

This year's remaining African Trophy Tour dates
26-28 March: Cairo (Egypt)
10-12 April: Cape Town (South Africa)
17-19 April: Johannesburg (South Africa)

Click here for more details about the Trophy Tour.