GREECE: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Pouring rain doesn't dampen spirits of fans swamping Athens ahead of Liverpool-AC Milan Champions League final
Record ID:
1542846
GREECE: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Pouring rain doesn't dampen spirits of fans swamping Athens ahead of Liverpool-AC Milan Champions League final
- Title: GREECE: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Pouring rain doesn't dampen spirits of fans swamping Athens ahead of Liverpool-AC Milan Champions League final
- Date: 23rd May 2007
- Summary: VARIOUS OF FANS INSIDE BUS (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MILAN FAN VALERIO SAYING: "It will be a difficult game because Liverpool is a complicated team." BUSES FULL OF FANS FANS STANDING OUTSIDE FAN WITH T-SHIRT "ODIO LIVERPOOL"
- Embargoed: 7th June 2007 09:07
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Sport
- Reuters ID: LVABIRY1C3IZ8MN99WDT5RI0Q6B7
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: The first of many chartered flights full of Milan fans began arriving in Athens on Tuesday (May 22) as football fever rachets up in the Greek capital ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool.
As a security measure, police have separated rival fans at the airport by escorting them through separate entrances on either side of the airport.
Around 14,000 Italian club fans are expected to watch the game at Athens Olympic Stadium where they will be sitting on the opposite end of the pitch from Liverpool fans.
Milan fans will be looking for revenge for the 2005 Champions league match in Istanbul where Liverpool upset Milan in penalties in one of the most dramatic finals.
Many Milan fans admitted it was going to be a difficult game and Liverpool would be a tough opponent, but they were setting their hopes on players such as Kaka, Gilardino and Inzaghi.
The city of Athens is overrun by fans, with thousands of mainly Liverpool fans taking over central squares and parks, engaging in street parties across the city.
The colours of red and black (red the colour of the Liverpool strip and red and black AC Milan) overwhelm the city streets which have become with crowds. Many fans are still searching for tickets, beating the pavement each day holding up signs begging to buy tickets. It is expected as many as 15,000 fans will be in the city without tickets during the final.
Several Liverpool banners have been strung in the city including from walls in front of the Greek parliament buildings, and fans have sprawled out on the city's steps, sidewalks and gardens.
Later in the afternoon on Tuesday black clouds gathered over the city and heavy rainstorms poured down on the rowdy Liverpool fans. But even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the singing supporters, who stripped off their shirts and continued singing songs. Others stood at the entrance of the subways chanting as they watched the currents coming down.
"Its only water," said one fan, "it only wets you it doesn't hurt you," quipped one man as he walked the streets waving his beer bottle. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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