Full speed ahead for UEFA flagship
Friday, December 18, 2009
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UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said UEFA is determined that its flagship club competition, the UEFA Champions League, will continue to set the pace as the game's premier club event.
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UEFA is determined that its flagship club competition, the UEFA Champions League, will continue to set the pace as the game's premier club event.
Quality praised
Addressing the UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino praised the quality of the competition on and off the field of play. "We are very proud of our European club football, which really is the best in the world," Mr Infantino said, "and nothing symbolises the very best of club football more than the UEFA Champions League – really the best club competition in the world.
'Real deal'
"It is not only the quality of play on the pitch that sets the UEFA Champions League above the rest, it is also everything that surrounds it; the stadiums, the fans, the atmosphere, our partners – it really is the real deal," he added. "And here at UEFA, we continually aim to develop the competition further, to set new standards of excellence, and to ensure that this competition remains the best of the best in club football."
Top action
The UEFA General Secretary welcomed the presence of new names in this season's group phase. "This year, the UEFA Champions League group stage has again provided some top action and plenty of goals," he said. "In fact, a total of 238 goals were scored in the group matches. There were some exceptional football moments, and also some upsets.
'Fresh feel'
"With the new qualification path for champions, and the new play-off route, we saw some new club names grace the UEFA Champions League stage. With clubs like FC Zürich from Switzerland, R. Standard de Liège from Belgium, AZ Alkmaar from the Netherlands, Debreceni VSC from Hungary, FC Rubin Kazan from Russia, FC Unirea Urziceni from Romania, VfL Wolfsburg from Germany and APOEL FC from Cyprus, this year's Champions League had a fresh feel about it.
Great deal learned
"These teams were by no means disgraced in the group stage, and will have learned a great deal from their experience in the UEFA Champions League for the future," Mr Infantino added. "They will be well prepared for either the UEFA Europa League knockout phase or for next year's competitions."