Youthful energy a central theme to finals weekend
Friday, April 3, 2015
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A regional junior mini-tournament, exciting activities and promotions and a hip-hop dance school will all contribute to the finals weekend from next Friday.
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The UEFA Youth League finals are back in Nyon from 10–13 April after a successful first staging last season, and the football is just the central element to a weekend that seeks to maximise the involvement of the local community.
Regional youth mini-tournament
The local regional football associations ACGF and ACVF have provided great assistance in establishing a mini-tournament for children on 10 April, the Friday of finals weekend. Before the semi-finals get under way from 13.00CET, more than 200 youngsters from regional teams will participate in the tournament at Colovray Stadium.
They will also have the chance to improve their skills with the help of well-renowned former professional footballers including Grégory Coupet, Sonny Anderson, Cris, Stéphane Chapuisat, Sidney Govou and Patrick Müller – all of whom played in the UEFA Champions League.
University challenge
AISTS MSA won the UEFA Youth League University Challenge to find the best concept for ramping up the atmosphere at Colovray Stadium over finals weekend. The 'Colouring your day' campaign will comprise a team of 50 people running the various activities and promotions around the stadium including:
- Face-painting station: fans paint their own faces in their team's colours
- Creative play: fans create their own banners to show support
- Frame it like a PRO: unique selfie opportunities within the UEFA Youth League frame
- Profile picture: memorable photos taken with the Lennart Johansson trophy
- Vibes squad: multiple handouts for supporting the teams (flags, cups, etc.)
Supporters can engage even futher with the event by posting any photo during the final and/or a photo of the activities above, using the official hashtag #UYL, giving them the chance to win official match balls and Pro Evolution Soccer games.
Final ceremony
The Centre IMPRO hip-hop dance school – based in Nyon – will participate in the opening ceremony which will feature many of the children of UEFA staff.
Pitch maintenance
Like last season, Real Madrid CF's head groundsman Paul Burgess has been brought in to get the Stadium Colovray pitch into perfect condition for finals weekend, with the help of Hako Schweiz AG and The Toro Company.
City of Nyon
With the whole region decked out in the flags and colours of the UEFA Youth League, UEFA would also like to thank the city of Nyon and other local authorities for their continuing support for this growing sporting and social event.