Artur told UEFA.com of his heartache at SL Benfica’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea FC in the UEFA Europa League final, while Ola John added that his side could have lifted the trophy themselves if they’d had a ‘little bit of luck.’

Branislav Ivanović told UEFA.com of his delight at scoring the winning goal for Chelsea FC against SL Benfica in the UEFA Europa League final, while David Luiz praised his manager Rafael Benitez after lifting the trophy.

With anticipation rising ahead of the 2013 UEFA Europa League final, we take a look at preparations in the city centre, stadium and beyond as the Dutch capital gains a blue and red hue.

UEFA Europa League final referee Björn Kuipers tells UEFA.com about home pride, his team ethic and how a run on a windswept Dutch beach was more enjoyable than it sounds.

Twelve months after Chelsea FC conquered Europe, John Terry is eyeing more continental silverware, but to win it the Blues must beat an SL Benfica team "as good as anybody".

With 51 years having passed since a Eusébio-inspired SL Benfica XI won the club's second European title, Nicolás Gaitán told UEFA.com "the time is now" for the current team to make history.

SL Benfica coach Jorge Jesus told UEFA.com about the value of victory, familiar opposition and the club's pre-eminent past ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final.

Defender-cum-midfielder David Luiz told UEFA.com that Chelsea FC's UEFA Europa League final date with old club SL Benfica will be "a special moment for me, so emotional".

Rafael Benítez spoke to UEFA.com about Chelsea FC's road to the UEFA Europa League final, reflecting on their winning blend and the importance of findng the right balance as a coach.

More than half a century on from SL Benfica's last European trophy, Lima, making his second UEFA Europa League final appearance, is determined to end the club's long wait.

Former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk speaks to UEFA.com about winning the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord in 2002 and explains what it will mean to Amsterdam to host this season’s UEFA Europa League final.

Moussa Sow told UEFA.com of his ‘disappointment’ at not reaching the final, but added that Fenerbahçe SK can be proud of their achievements this season after losing 3-2 on aggregate to SL Benfica.

After helping Chelsea FC beat FC Basel 1893 5-2 on aggregate, Ramires told UEFA.com that he ‘can’t wait’ to face his old club SL Benfica in this season’s final.

‘This is what you dream of’ revealed Nicolás Gaitán after SL Benfica beat Fenerbahçe SK 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final, while Enzo Peréz warned his club that they still haven’t’ won anything just yet.

Yann Sommer told UEFA.com that FC Basel 1893 can be ‘proud’ of their European campaign this season after their run in the UEFA Europa League was ended by a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Chelsea FC.

Leading SL benfica 1-0, Fenerbahçe SK are 90 minutes away from a maiden European final their striker Moussa Sow says "would be great for Turkish football, the club and the fans."

Yet to polish off their main course of the Swiss Super League, FC Basel 1893 must keep treating the UEFA Europa League as a tasty sideline according to goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Reto Ziegler told UEFA.com that Fenerbahçe SK need to remain ‘calm’ after their 1-0 first-leg win over SL Benfica, who still believe they can progress to the final according to Eduardo Salvio.

Petr Čech told UEFA.com that semi-final know-how was key to Chelsea FC’s 2-1 first leg win at FC Basel 1893, while his opposite number Yann Sommer was left disappointed by David Luiz’s late winner.

Fernando Torres tells UEFA.com how he is settling into life at Chelsea FC.

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan spoke of the city's pride as he was handed the UEFA Europa League trophy to keep and display to the public until the Amsterdam ArenA final.

Last-four debutants Fenerbahçe SK and FC Basel 1893 were drawn against former European champions SL Benfica and Chelsea FC respectively in Friday's semi-final draw.

FC Basel 1893’s Serey Die hailed ‘a great joy for Swiss football’ after his side made the UEFA Europa League semi-finals while Tottenham Hotspur FC’s Clint Dempsey bemoaned his team’s luck after their penalty loss.

SL Benfica's Enzo Peréz told UEFA.com his team had played a 'great match' as they overcame Newcastle United FC to make the last-four of the UEFA Europa League, while Hatem Ben Arfa revealed his team's 'regrets'.

Fenerbahçe SK's Dirk Kuyt told UEFA.com that it was a 'proud' day for Fenerbahçe after their UEFA Europa League quarter-final victory against S.S. Lazio, whose Libor Kozák could not hide his disappointment.

Paulo Ferriera told UEFA.com of his relief after Chelsea FC progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of FC Rubin Kazan, who can be proud of their 5-4 aggregate defeat according to Alan Kasaev.

Dirk Kuyt scored in a 2-0 victory for Fenerbahçe SK but insists there is still work to do in Rome with Lorik Cana telling UEFA.com that returning stars could aid the comeback quest for S.S. Lazio.