Final victory for Istanbul

By Türker Tozar

Liverpool FC may have picked up the trophy last Wednesday night, but after the dust has settled, the real victor in the UEFA Champions League final might have been the host city, Istanbul.

Hotels full
Turkey's footballing capital had been preparing for the final for months, with rooms in local hotels having been snapped up long in advance of the big day. And when the avalanche of fans came - 60,000 of whom descended upon the city for the 25 May showpiece - Istanbul showed that it was ready for them.

Supporters segregated
With the local organisers having allocated Taksim Square for Liverpool supporters and Sultanahmet Square for AC Milan fans, local shops and restaurants reported bumper takings with no major security problems or disturbances ruining an excellent atmosphere around the match.

Incredible result
The Turkish economy is said to have benefited to the tune of around €50m for hosting the final at the Atatürk Olympic stadium, and what a final it was. With Rafael Benítez's side going 3-0 down at half-time before levelling the score and winning on penalties, it was a night of intense drama.

Impeccable organisation
"There has never been a big final with such an unpredictable outcome," said UEFA vice-president Senes Erzik. "The match was as magnificent as the organisation around it. I have never watched a final where both teams played so passionately for the trophy. I could not see any flaws in the organisation."

Famed hospitality
With Turkish supporters showing their nation's famed hospitality by welcoming visiting fans and choosing sides to add to the excitement of the occasion, Erzik was sure that hosting a major tournament like UEFA EURO 2012™ was no longer beyond Turkey. "We have surpassed expectations, that's for sure," he said.

Traffic worries
The issue that had been of most concern to the local authorities in advance of the final had been the traffic in the streets around the Atatürk Olympic stadium, but once more, it seems that on the big day, Istanbul's organisational ability overcame another potential problem.

Security focus
Security around the event also proved to be a great success, with the Istanbul municipal authorities and the regional police and governors combining to put 8,000 security personnel on duty for the final. The result was a celebration of football which was uninhibited but safe.

Local pride
"We should be proud of ourselves regarding the Champions League final as we look back and see nothing to regret," said Kadir Topbas, the lord mayor of Istanbul. "This success was very important for Istanbul, especially as the foreign sports press are now singing the praises of Istanbul and Turkey.

Next challenge
"This event showed that Istanbul is ready to stage bigger events with its five-star stadium," he added. The crowds have left Taksim and Sultanahmet squares for now, but the locals may yet get the chance to welcome even greater numbers of fans to their glorious city in years to come.