A social visit to Spurs versus Fiorentina
Friday, February 20, 2015
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UEFA.com's voyage into the world of social media was in full flow at Tottenham Hotspur FC v ACF Fiorentina – Mark Pettit gives an hour by hour account.
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Ever wondered what a UEFA.com reporter does on a European matchday? @uefacommarkp offers you an hour-by-hour account of his working day at the UEFA Europa League round of 32 opener between Tottenham Hotspur FC and ACF Fiorentina …
4pm – Arrive at the stadium and set up my laptop at the UEFA office. All is quiet so I take time to snap some photos as the rain streams down. Then a real stroke of fortune as I head back to the office – Mauricio Pochettino walks around the pitch and heads for the tunnel. He looks surprised as I hurriedly record his movements on my phone and vine him to the world.
5pm – With my first vines and photos now posted, it is time to flick through the match programme for anything interesting. A feature on Spurs' pre-season meeting with Fiorentina in 2001 catches my eye – mainly because I was there. Azzurri boss Antonio Conte was also a visitor to Tottenham's training ground this week apparently. More photos go onto social media.
6pm – The stadium is starting to get busy now as both teams arrive – unfortunately at the same time. Sadly, I miss the Fiorentina bus pulling in as I post a few more vines of Tottenham players heading for the dressing rooms. A quick bite to eat then the build-up really begins.
7pm – The team lineups are waiting as I arrive back in the UEFA office. After a quick check that everything is looking good in the UEFA.com MatchCentre, it is time to proceed pitchside to grab some videos of the warm-ups. The Fiorentina fans are in good voice as their heroes are put through their paces directly in front of them.
8pm – A few more photos and vines from my outstanding commentary position and we're ready for kick-off. The raucous atmosphere intensifies further when Roberto Soldado volleys the home side into an early lead but, just as it starts to look like a long night for Fiorentina, José Maria Basanta pokes in the equaliser. Plenty to go in the MatchCentre and on Twitter, while I add some photos from Getty Images for good measure.
10pm – No further goals in the second half so it's off to post-match activities. A peek in the mixed zone suggests a full house in the scramble for player quotes so I'll make do with the press conferences instead. Pochettino insists his team deserved to win but a draw seemed a correct result to the majority, certainly if those looking at my twitter posts are anything to go by.
11pm – Time to head home, wet and weary after a seven-hour UEFA Europa League marathon in the pouring rain. We wouldn't have it any other way though.