Big plans for Eindhoven showpiece

'A privilege'
Revealing the plans for the final were Harry Been from the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), mayor of Eindhoven Alexander Sakkers and UEFA head of club competitions Michele Centenaro. "It is a privilege for UEFA to be able to organise the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven," Centenaro said. "The UEFA Cup is a very important international tournament, and we have done a lot to improve it further in recent years. We are in the second season of a new format including a group stage, and judging by the rise in spectators and attention, it has been very successful."

Mayor 'proud'
Mayor Sakkers added: "An international event is comng to our city, and that makes me very proud. I can assure everyone that we will do all we can to make it a huge event, for everyone visiting our city."

Ticket sales
From 20 February to 20 March neutral fans can apply for 6,000 tickets - nearly 20 per cent of the capacity - via applications on uefa.com, with prices ranging from €35 to €115. Each of the eventual finalists will receive 9,200 tickets, with the remainder divided between UEFA, national associations, the KNVB and commercial partners.

'Excellent atmosphere'
With most tickets going to fans of the finalists, and prices set relatively low, Been is excited at the prospect. "We always intended to make a huge number of tickets available for the supporters of both sides, and the ticket prices should lead to a full stadium and an excellent atmosphere," he said.

Logo
The fact the Philips Stadion is situated in the middle of a residential area is reflected in the UEFA Cup final logo, a stadium surrounded by houses. The colour orange represents the Netherlands, and turquoise and purple the UEFA Cup's own branding.

Trophy tour
Several more events are planned for the city before 10 May. For the first time the draw for the quarter-final stage and beyond will take place in the final venue itself, on 17 March, when holders PFC CSKA Moskva will hand over the trophy live on television at the Evaluon building. The UEFA Cup will then go on a nationwide tour until 9 May, and will be present at official activities, at amateur clubs organising special events, and at locations in Eindhoven too.

Youth tournament
On the eve of the match, the local community will be involved in a UEFA youth tournament at the home of FC Eindhoven, with 130 children participating in three categories: 'minipups', mixed football, and G-Football (handicapped). There will also be a number of events within walking distance of the Philips Stadion in the build up to kick-off.

Ambassador Van Breukelen
Former Dutch international and PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen is to be the ambassador of the event. "I was surprised and honoured to be offered the role 12 years after I retired from playing," he said. "I think it is a beautiful idea to involve former players, who represent a whole generation; the PSV team that won the 1988 [European] Champion [Clubs'] Cup and the Dutch national team that won EURO '88. Football is still my passion, and I am especially looking forward to organising all kind of events with the youth of Eindhoven."