I have no doubt that its going to be an all-English final. ManU will definitely beat AC Milan and qualify, however its hard to determine who is the other favorite from the Liv.-Chelsea match, but I would like to see ManU play Chelsea in the final, cuz they have EPL race at hands also..
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...421344&cc=5901
ATHENS, April 13 (Reuter) - Greek police are responding to concerns over the possibility of an all-English Champions League final in Athens by liaising with their British counterparts to track potential troublemakers.
With Liverpool playing Chelsea in one semi-final and Manchester United meeting AC Milan in the other, at least one English team is guaranteed to make the final on May 23.
If two English clubs do qualify it will be the third time that one country has provided both finalists for European club soccer's showpiece occasion. Real Madrid and Valencia of Spain met in the 2000 final in Paris while AC Milan and Juventus met in Manchester in 2003.
Liverpool and AC Milan also met in the 2005 in Istanbul.
Because of long-term contractual obligations involving the use of the stadium, TV and marketing rights, hotels and many other logistical requirements the match will not be moved from Athens.
'The British police are already giving information on known hooligans,' said a police source.
'They are sending profiles of around 30 or 40 whom they consider the biggest threats and identifying around 100 others that they also see as possible troublemakers.'
The Greek government announced on Thursday that CCTV cameras would be installed in the Olympic Stadium to monitor supporters during the game.
According to the source, the German police are also helping the Greeks over fears that German hooligans may head to Athens for the final even though the last remaining team Bayern Munich was knocked out by AC Milan on Wednesday.
The police have also created a new mini-department to oversee the Champions League final within the sports violence department that was set up around two months ago.
Police leave has been cancelled in the week of the final and riot police are expected to be on standby for at least 48 hours before the match.
'This is fairly normal for whenever there is a big match,' said the source.
On Thursday, William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications, stressed the need for cooperation between the different police forces but played down the potential for trouble if up to 80,000 English supporters make their way to Athens.
'If an all-English final happens, then yes, we will need advice from the English police because they know best how to deal with a situation like that,' he said.
'We will coordinate with the police and take their advice because they always give good advice. But why should we worry about the possibility? We are not apprehensive about it.
'We had thousands of Liverpool fans in Istanbul for the final two years ago and it was a difficult situation in terms of logistics and getting them from the airport.
'Also there had been the trouble with Leeds United in Turkey a few years earlier.
'We do not have such a loaded situation in Athens because the facilities are easy to get to. You could have an FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United with no problems, so why should it be any different if they meet in Athens?'
The Greek government has played down the threats of violence with Sports Minister George Orfanos telling reporters that it would be the best Champions League final ever.
'There will be no riots,' he said. 'Our authorities are well prepared. We will take the necessary measures before, during and after the game.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...421344&cc=5901
ATHENS, April 13 (Reuter) - Greek police are responding to concerns over the possibility of an all-English Champions League final in Athens by liaising with their British counterparts to track potential troublemakers.
With Liverpool playing Chelsea in one semi-final and Manchester United meeting AC Milan in the other, at least one English team is guaranteed to make the final on May 23.
If two English clubs do qualify it will be the third time that one country has provided both finalists for European club soccer's showpiece occasion. Real Madrid and Valencia of Spain met in the 2000 final in Paris while AC Milan and Juventus met in Manchester in 2003.
Liverpool and AC Milan also met in the 2005 in Istanbul.
Because of long-term contractual obligations involving the use of the stadium, TV and marketing rights, hotels and many other logistical requirements the match will not be moved from Athens.
'The British police are already giving information on known hooligans,' said a police source.
'They are sending profiles of around 30 or 40 whom they consider the biggest threats and identifying around 100 others that they also see as possible troublemakers.'
The Greek government announced on Thursday that CCTV cameras would be installed in the Olympic Stadium to monitor supporters during the game.
According to the source, the German police are also helping the Greeks over fears that German hooligans may head to Athens for the final even though the last remaining team Bayern Munich was knocked out by AC Milan on Wednesday.
The police have also created a new mini-department to oversee the Champions League final within the sports violence department that was set up around two months ago.
Police leave has been cancelled in the week of the final and riot police are expected to be on standby for at least 48 hours before the match.
'This is fairly normal for whenever there is a big match,' said the source.
On Thursday, William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications, stressed the need for cooperation between the different police forces but played down the potential for trouble if up to 80,000 English supporters make their way to Athens.
'If an all-English final happens, then yes, we will need advice from the English police because they know best how to deal with a situation like that,' he said.
'We will coordinate with the police and take their advice because they always give good advice. But why should we worry about the possibility? We are not apprehensive about it.
'We had thousands of Liverpool fans in Istanbul for the final two years ago and it was a difficult situation in terms of logistics and getting them from the airport.
'Also there had been the trouble with Leeds United in Turkey a few years earlier.
'We do not have such a loaded situation in Athens because the facilities are easy to get to. You could have an FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United with no problems, so why should it be any different if they meet in Athens?'
The Greek government has played down the threats of violence with Sports Minister George Orfanos telling reporters that it would be the best Champions League final ever.
'There will be no riots,' he said. 'Our authorities are well prepared. We will take the necessary measures before, during and after the game.'
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