ITALY: GERMAN AND SPANISH FANS GATHER IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE FINAL

Record ID: 648919

  • Title: ITALY: GERMAN AND SPANISH FANS GATHER IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE FINAL
  • Date: 23rd May 2001
  • Summary: MILAN, ITALY (MAY 23, 2001) (REUTERS) 1. VALENCIA FANS HEADING TO DUOMO SQUARE 2. VALENCIA FANS WAVING HUGE FLAG 3. BAYERN FANS INSIDE DUOMO GALLERY 4. VALENCIA FANS SCREAMING 5. GERMAN FANS SHOUTING 6. (SOUNDBITE) (German) FRANK DICSCHEL ASKED IF HE MINDED THAT THE SPANISH CELEBRATE SO MUCH SAYS "No, I don't think so, we let them have a little bit of fun and then tonight we will beat them, my guess is 3-1." 7. POLICEMEN STANDING 8. VALENCIA FANS SIGNING 9. VALENCIA FAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ANTONIO SALIVIO SAYING "Tonight we are going to make a bull fight like in Spain we will win with a very high score and we will fight, we are not afraid of the enemy." 11. VALENCIA AND BAYERN FANS HAVING FUN TOGETHER 12. (SOUNDBITE) (German) HEIKE DOEHMISCH SAYING "The mood of the people was very good on the and here it is marvellous. We think we are going to win but no matter who's winning we will have fun anyway." 13. BAYERN FANS CLAPPING 14. (SOUNDBITE) (German) ESTER VIRAL SAYING "Well it's okay now, we have the experience and this year for sure, we are going to take out the thorn out of our heart." 15. TILT DOWN FROM GALLERY GLASS CEILING TO SPANISH FANS WAVING HANDKERCHIEFS FANS 16. (SOUNDBITE) (German) PETER WIESNER SAYING "It's probable that the game last Saturday (when Bayern Munich won the German League) in Hamburg gave the team the kick for this match, they were fighting to the end, we are really hoping now that tonight we see our team win so we can go home celebrating." 17. FANS WITH FLAGS IN SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIGUEL ANGEL CANOVAS/ANA TORIN SAYING: "I expect a very competitive game knowing the tactics of the two trainers, they are both very defensive, but no matter who wins I don't care who wins but I think the result will be a least 1-0 if not 2-1. We are going to give them a real hard time tonight. "Yeah but this match has to go to Valencia." 18. FANS WITH FLAGS 19. VIEW OF DUOMO CATHEDRAL Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 7th June 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MILAN, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Reuters ID: LVA9HTEO4QK1TMDJ7WV6BXKBBWJO
  • Story Text: German and Spanish fans have gathered in a friendly
    atmosphere a few hours ahead of the Champions League final on
    Wednesday, in Milan.



    The central area of Milano was invaded by thousands of
    fans who travelled
    to Italy to see the Champions League final betweeen Bayer
    Munich of Germany and Spanish club Valencia.

    With the match hicking off on Wednesday (May 23) at 1945
    gmt in the San Siro stadium, fans had plenty of time to mingle
    around Milan's famous Duomo square.

    Dressed as a bull fighter, Antonio Salivio said:
    "Tonight we are going to make a bull fight like in Spain we
    will win with a very high score and we will fight, we are not
    afraid of the enemy."
    It will the fist time that clubs who lost in the last two
    finals play each other for Europe's most coveted trophy.

    Rivals fans hugged each other and sang together, with very
    little police presence.

    "The mood of the people was very good on the and here it
    is marvellous. We think we are going to win but no matter
    who's winning we will have fun anyway,"
    said German woman Heike Dohemisch.

    Few know better than Bayern Munich the truth that lies in
    the cliché: "It ain't over until its over".

    In Barcelona, two years ago the Champions League title
    slipped from Bayern's grasp when Manchester United struck
    twice in injury time for a dramatic win.

    But on Saturday it was Bayern's turn to steal glory at the
    death when a 93rd minute goal from Swedish defender Patrik
    Andersson gave the Munich club a vital point at Hamburg to
    secure their third consecutive Bundesliga title.

    Bayern coach Otmar Hitzfeld believes fans are in for a
    fascinating tactical battle but gave little away about his own
    approach to the game.

    Amedeo Carboni will be Italy's sole representative in
    Wednesday's European Cup final in Milan but at least this time
    he will be on the pitch rather than in the stands.

    Carboni missed Valencia's 3-0 defeat by Real Madrid in
    last year's final in Paris through suspension after being
    booked in the second leg of the semifinal against Barcelona.


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