Champions League trophies handed to Berlin
Monday, April 27, 2015
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The UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women's Champions League trophies have been handed to the city of Berlin by UEFA ahead of this season's finals in the city.
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Berlin now has charge of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women's Champions League trophies after UEFA handed them over to this year's final host city.
In a ceremony at Berlin town hall, UEFA Executive Committee member Wolfgang Niersbach passed the trophies to Michael Müller, the city's governing mayor, ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League final on 14 May 2015 and the UEFA Champions League final on 6 June.
"It's a great honour and responsibility to host this final," said Niersbach at the ceremony, which was also attended by delegations from 2014 European champions Real Madrid CF and VfL Wolfsburg, as well as this year's final ambassadors Karl-Heinz Riedle and Steffi Jones. "I'm very happy that our candidature to host the final was successful," Müller added "I hope that all visitors will enjoy amazing football and some wonderful days in our city."
The most decorated player in the competition's history, Paco Gento, was there as part of the Madrid delegation and spoke about the European Cup's early days. "It was a very tricky period," said Gento, who has six titles to his name. "We didn't know our rivals. When we managed to win the first trophy, it was a great satisfaction."
City tour
Starting on Wednesday, the UEFA Champions League trophy will embark on a tour of the German capital – the City Trophy Tour – with celebrities presenting it to Berlin's football fans. To coincide with this, the top five Legendary Moments from the competition's rich history as voted for by fans will be revealed.
The famous silverware will also travel via various means of public transport, including a Trabi' (or Trabant, the legendary East German car), on a boat and via city trains and subways. Both trophies will then go on display in Berlin's Rotes Rathaus from 09.00 to 18.00CET between 2 and 8 May.
Another key element of the club finals is the Champions Festival, to be held this year at the Brandenburg Gate from Thursday 4 June to Sunday 7 June. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy and participate in indoor football and skills stations, see the trophies and meet some famous footballers at the all-star game.