Trophy tour on a roll in Slovakia

Seven days, seven stops, more than 35,000 visitors: eye-catching statistics, yet they do not obscure the key fact that the 2010 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, presented by UniCredit, received a rapturous reception on its debut appearance in Slovakia.

The central European country staged the fourth leg of the UEFA Champions League Trophy's autumn tour – and the Slovak public gave the travelling exhibition their full support after successful legs in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Over 20,000 visitors passed through the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Village when it was set up in Bratislava between Friday and Sunday. Indeed, European club football's most glittering prize had a sparkling new location in the Slovak capital: the Eurovea square beside the Danube.

Former winners of the trophy gave added value to the event. The UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassadors for Bratislava were Karl-Heinz Riedle, a European champion with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, and Pauleta, the ex-Portugal forward. Pauleta teamed up with UniCredit's UEFA Champions League ambassador, Luís Figo – a champion with Real Madrid CF in 2002 – in a shoot-out on the mini-pitch laid out on the square, enabling fans to win prizes.

As the trophy arrived on site, the trio carried the cup from its case on the giant tour truck that transports it, through the players' tunnel and into the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Village. Here Pauleta, Riedle and Figo answered questions from 100 assembled journalists in an official press conference, which included the latter two explaining how they felt as players lifting the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Riedle, whose two goals helped Dortmund defeat Juventus 3-1 in the 1997 final, said: "Winning the UEFA Champions League was the greatest moment in my career."

Fans visting the trophy tour village were treated to memorabilia relating the tale of the UEFA Champions League and its predecessor competition, the European Cup; video screens recalling magic moments from seasons past; and an archive of photographs paying tribute to the great players who have graced the competition.

The highlight of the village was the platform onto which thousands walked to have their picture taken with the trophy during the three days in Bratislava. The constant stream of guests spanned all ages, and it was not just the many children present who were quick to take advantage of autograph sessions with the ambassadors or the various mini-pitch activities.

Indeed, Eurovea square remained a hub of activity throughout the three days, with football competitions and music concerts attracting sizeable crowds.

Nor was the capital alone in sharing the excitement of the UEFA Champions League: some 15,000 fans joined in the fun in the provinces. The trophy tour's first stop in Slovakia had been Zilina on Monday 4 October, where players from national titleholders and UEFA Champions League group stage contenders MŠK Žilina were among those that came to see the cup, alongside the local supporters.

The road show then called in at Banska Bystrica and Poprad on the Tuesday, Presov and Kosice on the Wednesday, and Trnava on the Thursday, with photo calls and prize competitions among the attractions.

The fifth and final leg of the trophy tour's autumn 2010 edition is now taking place across the Slovak border in Austria. Find the full itinerary here: http://be-part-of-it.unicredit.eu/en/tour/2010/.