After the last game of the national championship, Benfica finalized the conditions for receiving the Champions.
More than a week that the ball does not roll on the light green. The goals are dismantled and around the stadium there are seats to be removed. There is a huge clearing in the third floor above the presidential tribune and another is being opened at the top south, in the area usually reserved for fans of visiting teams with reflective vest. All because of journalists, photographers, television. Were it not for them and the Champions League Final would be almost ‘business as usual’ in Sport Stadium Lisboa e Benfica (SLB).
“There is a great concern of the UEFA organization the media level, ticketing and security,” says Ricardo Maia, the SLB and ‘local average officer’ for the final of the League. And if, in the latter case, Benfica play at home because Ricardo Maia said the stadium is “perfectly suited” as to receive 1,500 elements TVs, 550 journalists and 200 photographers had to make some changes.
Above the tribune presidential press area will be expanded from 200 to a thousand places and the top South will be created eight ‘pitch view studios.’ On the floor -2, the press room broke into an adjoining gym, doubled in size, and is ready to receive 200 journalists and two translation booths.
A year ago the teams UEFA are regular in the light. The final preparation work and all associated events began shortly after the governing body of European football have chosen, in March 2012, Benfica as host the final – and involve elements of SLB, the Portuguese Football Federation, Lisbon City Hall and of course UEFA.
“We have a constant presence in Europe and [the realization of the final] is recognition by UEFA of our organizational skills,” says Maia. But do not just be a constant presence in Europe. Benfica only candidate to receive this event because the Light, that ten years ago received the final of Euro 2004, is classified by UEFA as a “five-star stadium,” being therefore able to host the finals of the major European competitions.
Get five stars from UEFA means respecting all safety rules imposed by the governing body of European football, but do not avoid numerous grounds of adaptation work. “The stadium is a real site” indicates Ricardo Maia.
Outside the stadium, the yellow of safety vest and white helmets rivals the red. Next to the statue of Eusebio, where even a week ago there was a synthetic turf, to give the finishing touches on a grand white tent two floors. Six hundred square meters prepared to receive about 6,500 people before and after the final of the Champions League, privileged space for UEFA, clubs and sponsors receive their guests. “UEFA assumes implementation costs, Benfica collaborates in choosing some local suppliers,” said Maia.
They belong to local suppliers workers on the floor two, behind the cabins, usually a passage space, now erect walls ‘plasterboard’. Behind these, in a room with windows on Av. Lusíada, will arise kitchens to support 156 cabins available at the stadium. Maia explains that the ‘catering’ served in the cabins of light is usually provided by the existing restaurant at the stadium, but that during the Final will need to serve hot meals, UEFA requirement.
Transformation of Light must be completed in less than a week. By then Benfica have delivered to UEFA the stadium management. A kind of quarantine on Sunday, prevented the team and the fans to cheer about on the pitch and the stands winning the third trophy of the season.
In two days enclose all services associated with the stadium, the offices in uniform with reflective tape, the restaurant at the top North, Benfica Museum and shopping areas of the surrounding. From that time the Light is ready to receive Real Madrid and Atletico in the second end of the most important proof of UEFA in Portugal.