Gracias España!
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They came from Andalucia and Catalunya by air, land and sea, bursting onto the streets of Glasgow from the early hours of May 16 for the start of a fabulous, city-wide fiesta of fun, friendliness and football.
When the supporters of Sevilla and Espanyol left the city after a momentous and thrilling Uefa Cup Final, it was with incredible memories - both off and on the pitch.
The two fanzones on George Square/Royal Exchange Square (Sevilla) and the Merchant City (Espanyol) were a blaze of red and blue with extra colour provided by the city’s entertainment programme.
From pipe bands, giant, kilted Scotsman Big Rory and the Porridge Men, who fuse traditional Scottish sounds with modern influences, to the salsa/celtic combination of MacUmba and Eletricat, Glasgow was in carnival mood.
Glasgow took this Spanish armada to their hearts and everyone from police officers who posed happily with supporters for pictures, to the city’s office workers and shoppers who helped with directions ensured a warm Glaswegian welcome.
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive – Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB), said: “The results of the game go beyond the £15 million (22 million euros) direct economic spend.
“The combination of the experience enjoyed by the fans in Glasgow, as well as the international media's portrayal of the city, will have a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.
“In the same way that the number of Spanish visitors to Glasgow more than doubled following the city’s hosting of the Uefa Champions League Final in 2002, we hope that the Uefa Cup final will help cement Spain’s increasing affection for Glasgow and its people!”
Dominic McVey, Co-Chair of Greater Glasgow Hotels Association, added: “It was fantastic to have such a high profile event in Glasgow and despite our hotels being so busy, the atmosphere was incredibly relaxed with everyone simply having a great time!
“There was a real sense of occasion in the city and the millions of fans watching the Uefa Cup final around the world on television would also have been in no doubt about exactly where the match was being held.”
Ian Fleming, Chair of Glasgow Restaurateurs Association, commented: “The Uefa Cup Final provided a fantastic boost for the city’s bars and restaurants.
“The buzz created by the supporters of Sevilla and Espanyol - not only in the designated fanzones but across the city – also made for an incredible atmosphere as evidenced by the obvious enjoyment of both sets of supporters.”
David Findlay, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Uefa Cup Final 2007, concluded: “The Uefa Cup of 2007 in Glasgow has been a highly successful project. The event has been another great partnership between the Scottish Football Association, the City of Glasgow and the many agencies involved (police, airports and others).
“The Uefa Cup Final demonstrates once again that Glasgow stages events of a world-class standard.”
- ENDS - 17 May 2007
Further information from:
Moira Dyer, Senior Manager – Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0044 (0) 141 566 0831, mobile: 07960 895 173
Email: moira.dyer@seeglasgow.com
Note to Editors:
- A full economic impact study of the Uefa Cup Final 2007 is being undertaken by Experian, and the results will be released in due course.
- Anecdotally, ‘Tip Top Hotdogs’ – a hotdog stand in Candleriggs - sold 4,000 hotdogs, worth approximately £12,000!
- Images of yesterday’s festivities are available from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau on request at the above number.