UEFA Cup goes to Gothenburg
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Article summary
The UEFA Cup is now in Gothenburg's hands after being handed over to the Swedish city by holders FC Porto.
Article body
Handover ceremony
The Portuguese club's general manager, Diogo Paiva Brandão, and one of the heroes of their 3-2 win over Celtic FC in last season's final, Ricardo Costa, returned the trophy in a ceremony at Gothenburg's Storan Theatre today.
May final
UEFA President Lennart Johansson received the trophy on behalf of European football's governing body, before handing it on to the Lord Mayor of Gothenburg, Jörgen Lindner. The UEFA Cup will now remain in Gothenburg's safekeeping until this season's final at the Nya Ullevi stadium on Wednesday 19 May.
Carnival atmosphere
"Football is a game that brings people together. Let's hope that this year's game will have the same setting as last year's match, which had some wonderful fans," the UEFA President said, referring to the carnival atmosphere in Seville last May. Celtic's fans were subsequently honoured with various awards for their conduct at the match.
Eriksson returns
England's Swedish coach, Sven-Göran Eriksson, took time out from preparations for his team's friendly against Sweden to join the ceremony, where he met up with members of his IFK Göteborg team who won the UEFA Cup in 1982. "It was a huge surprise to win it at the time - no one expected us to do so," said Eriksson. Players from IFK's second UEFA Cup-winning team in 1987 were also at the Storan Theatre for the ceremony.
Tradition
"This is the fifth time that the trophy has been here in Gothenburg," said Lars-Ake Lagrell, president of the Swedish Football Association, referring to IFK's successes and the previous finals in the city. "Sweden is proud to be hosting the event in this city of such tradition."
Preparations continue
Meanwhile, preparations for the final continue apace. Project manager Bo Sundström admitted the organisers were keeping their options open until the finalists were known. "It will depend on the teams," he said. "Our arrangements will be set up in a certain way if, for example, Celtic reach the final, and in another way if southern European teams take part in the match."