|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Roundup Fans swamp Dortmund for UEFA Cup final
DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) -- Hundreds of Liverpool and Alaves fans converged on Dortmund on Tuesday ahead of the UEFA Cup Final on Wednesday night. After a surge in ticket sales, German police said they expected about 20,000 Liverpool supporters, who will see their team's first European final for 16 years, and up to 7,000 fans from the little-known Spanish side Alaves. Police spokesman Joerg Blaszyk said he hoped events laid on for the visiting supporters would keep the atmosphere friendly. "We want it to be a festival of football. We want to get both groups of fans together so they get to know each other," Blaszyk told Reuters. "People who know each other are less likely to hate one another and fight." Liverpool fans already in Dortmund were confident about their team's prospects. Carl Bowie, 18, said: "We have every chance. It's going to be a hard game but we're the favorites." But some Liverpool fans complained about the shortage of available hotel rooms in Dortmund. "There are going to be thousands of Liverpool fans on the street. It's going to kick off trouble," said David Weatherall, 30. Fans of the Spanish outsiders, clad in their blue, white and red Alaves scarves, gathered peacefully for refreshments and music in tents set up in one central Dortmund square. "We're going to give them [Liverpool] a surprise. I expect we'll win 1-0 or 2-1," said Pedro Osa, a pensioner from Alaves's base in Vitoria which is part of the Basque country. While the Spanish side will be going all out for their first major trophy, Liverpool, who have already won the FA Cup and League Cup, might be distracted by Saturday's league game at Charlton Athletic, which could secure a Champions League spot. But Weatherall dismissed that idea. "That is what the management seem to be saying but we want to win cups. We're not bothered about the Champions League. We can worry about that next season," he said. Toshack tips Alaves to beat LiverpoolMADRID -- Former Liverpool striker John Toshack has tipped Alaves to win Wednesday's UEFA Cup final and stop his old club from completing a cup treble. "I have a feeling that this year the name of Alaves is written on the cup. I believe they will win the UEFA Cup," he was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Tuesday. "Alaves aren't going to slip up when they are just 90 minutes away from the [UEFA Cup] title and they will make the most of being the underdogs." Liverpool have already completed a domestic cup double with wins in the League Cup and FA Cup. But Toshack believes a treble is beyond them. "Liverpool have had a very hard week in the run-up to the final," he said. "They played against Chelsea the other day and were in the FA Cup final on Saturday. "Alaves will have to play very well but I've got this feeling that they will be the champions. "But, win or lose, Alaves have had a great season and so they will not be playing under any pressure." Toshack, who now manages Real Sociedad, played in the Liverpool sides that won the UEFA Cup in 1973 and 1976. Frenchman will referee UEFA finalNYON, Switzerland -- French referee Gilles Veissiere, who once sent off two Liverpool players in a match, will referee the UEFA Cup final between Alaves and Liverpool at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.Veissiere, 41, sent off Paul Ince and Steve McManaman the last time he took charge of the team, both players being red-carded in the last two minutes of their 2-2 draw at Valencia in a UEFA Cup second round match in November 1998. Despite the red cards, Liverpool qualified for the next round on the away goals rule. Niether Ince or McManaman will be playing in Wednesday's final as both have left the club. He also handled the Romania v Portugal match during Euro 2000 at Arnhem and was also the ref in control of the Yugoslavia v Spain game in Bruges which Spain won 4-3 with two goals in the last few minutes. His linesmen will be Serge Vallin and Vincent Texier. Alain Sars will be the fourth official.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
