Rotterdam welcomes the UEFA Cup

The UEFA Cup has been handed back to UEFA by current title-holders Liverpool FC at a special ceremony in Rotterdam, heralding the start of the run-up to this season's final in the Dutch city on 8 May.

Handover made
UEFA's Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner received the trophy from Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry and coach Gérard Houllier at the handover festivities in Rotterdam's City Hall. Mr Aigner then handed the trophy on to the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ivo Opstelten, for safekeeping until the final at the Feijenoord stadium early next month.

Special celebration
Friday's ceremony provided an opportunity for special celebration in Rotterdam. One of the city's clubs, Feyenoord, will play the UEFA Cup final in their own stadium after defeating Italian opponents Internazionale FC over two legs in the semi-final. Germany's BV Borussia Dortmund now await Feyenoord in the final. 

'Passion for the game'
"It was not difficult to choose the Feijenoord stadium for the final," said UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner. "Rotterdam is well-known as a real football city with a lot of passion for the game. This will be the tenth European final held in this stadium, which is considered as one of the best and most functional stadiums in Europe."

'Fabulous' atmosphere
"I'm very disappointed that I have to give back the UEFA Cup, because I wished that we could defend it," said Gérard Houllier. "I can say that two very good teams have reached the final. I saw Feyenoord's match yesterday, and the atmosphere in the stadium was absoIutely fabulous."

Houllier predicts pressure
"I think that playing in their own stadium will not be a real advantage for Feyenoord, because the pressure will be enormous. When you are playing abroad, it may be easier to try something in a match," added the Liverpool coach. 

'A perfect stadium'
Ivo Opstelten spoke of his pride at Rotterdam being asked to host another final. "I have to thank UEFA that we can show the world again just how dynamic a city Rotterdam is," he said. "I think we have proved in the past that we have perfect organisation in a perfect stadium." 

Feyenoord's 1974 heroes
The ceremony was attended by members of the Feyenoord team that won the UEFA Cup in 1974 - the last time that the competition final was played in Rotterdam. Eddy Treijtel, Jan Everse, Dick Schneider, Joop van Daele, Ger Reitsma and Wim Rijsbergen were present from the successful side.

KNVB president present
The UEFA Cup final was played over two legs in those days, and Feyenoord clinched the trophy with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur FC after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in London. Mathieu Sprengers, president of the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), was also present at the handover ceremony in a dual capacity, as he is also active as UEFA treasurer.