As the final curtain fell on events in Eindhoven last night, one spectator’s thoughts had already turned to 16th May 2007 – the date on which Glasgow and Hampden Park will host next season’s UEFA Cup Final.

Speaking from Eindhoven, SFA Chief Executive, David Taylor commented, “The Royal Netherlands FA, PSV Eindhoven and the City of Eindhoven have worked hard to deliver a wonderful platform for the UEFA Cup Final, and we look forward to the opportunity of emulating that success in Glasgow next year.

“To be awarded a major European final by UEFA for the second time in five years clearly reaffirms, in my opinion, the status of Scotland, Glasgow and the Scottish FA as a major event destination, host and organiser.

“Events of this size also deliver tremendous benefit to grassroots football. We should never forget that major European final nights fuel our younger generation’s footballing dreams.”

Awarded the 2007 Final by UEFA’s Executive Committee in April last year, the SFA has been quick to establish a proficient project management team including key partners from Hampden Park, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, British Airport Authorities and Strathclyde Police. 

Councillor Alex Mosson, chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Glasgow City Council’s spokesperson on marketing and events said, “I remember with great fondness the fantastic atmosphere in the city for the Champions League Final in May 2002 and I am proud to have played a part.

“I am also proud of the very heavy involvement Glasgow City Marketing Bureau will have in making the UEFA Cup Final in 2007 as good, if not better.

“We learned a lot in 2002 and I’m delighted that many of the same people involved back then are part of the partnership in place to deliver 2007. Glasgow City Marketing Bureau comprises a team of professionals who are very experienced in event management and marketing and we look forward to working with the Scottish Football Association and the private sector to ensure a memorable experience for fans and players alike.”

David Kells, Managing Director of Hampden Park, was similarly enthused, “Hampden Park is delighted to play host to the UEFA Cup Final 2007. This will be Hampden’s 6th major European Final and we look forward to it continuing the high standard set in the previous matches and producing another outstanding night at Scotland’s National Stadium.”

UEFA, European football’s governing body, is also clearly relishing the prospect of a return to Glasgow and the scene of some of its most famous finals.

Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA Chief Executive, commented, “UEFA is more than happy to be returning to Scotland and in particular to the National Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow, for the UEFA Cup Final in 2007. Hampden Park has hosted three European Champion Clubs’ Cup finals; most recently the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final, won by Real Madrid CF 2-1 against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, in 1976 when FC Bayern Munchen beat AS Saint-Etienne 1-0, and of course in 1960 for probably the most memorable of all European Cup finals, when over 127,000 people crammed in to witness the 7-3 victory of the great Real Madrid CF side of Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento over Eintracht Frankfurt.

“The UEFA Cup has moved on a long way from those early pioneer days of European football, and so have the grounds and the stadia that host the matches. Most importantly, football is made up of memories, of passion and of emotion and we know that in coming to Scotland and to Glasgow that we will get this in abundance.”

Further information from:
Andy Mitchell
Press Officer
Scottish Football Association
+44 (0) 141 616 6028

Nancy McLardie
Head of PR
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
+44 (0) 141 566 0830