Recalls Mijalce Durgutov, writing this.

If there wasn’t any idea to see the magic of “Kamena Vurla”, small city located in the central part of Greece at the sea coast where the road to Athens takes you to ashore without view of the sea, at the parking in front of the entry for journalists at the Olympic stadium, most probable we would get there before the officers of UEFA. Thus, as we got stuck at the small morning rush hours in Athens, we entered the Accreditation Center at noon. The impressiveness of the stadium bearing the name of the legendary athlete Louis Spiridon didn’t comply with the ambient and the interior of Accreditation Centre”. Nevertheless, the badges hanging around our necks put us into a good mood and particularly, the breakfast with beer has motivated us. The UEFA parking –pass enabled us to park our “Golf” at 100 meters only from the entrance for press-tribunes, which proved later (at leaving) to be an extraordinary thing…

A short tour of the stadium was recorded by video camera of the director of “SKOK” Dimitar Tasev. In contrary to two years ago, when we exploited the photo camera maximally, this time we have made a few TV clips which will find their place on our web site and will witness the Champions League. The problem was accommodation. As many other guests to Athens those days, we have been accommodated in Kineta, a small town at about 60 km south-east from Athens. The fact that we have been to the beach, swimming, shows what the weather was like, the atmosphere, the ambient we had before the finals. It was weird that the local people were talking more about the invasion of English tourists (on the average at the age of more than 60 years) who were waiting beginning of June, than for the actual invasion of English fans. The Finals of the Champions League wasn’t a topic of discussions.!!!???

We have started the day of great Finals by “Frappé” on the lawn in front of the apartment in Kineta, followed by breakfast at press-centre. The meeting with friends from UEFA, Mr. Frits Ahistorm and kind Teresa Moraw, was really refreshing to us and we got new data when it comes to the journalists and Press Department of UEFA (SEE BOX). The atmosphere was getting hot, the fans started to arrive, they were looking for a ticket more especially the English fans even though they were at the opposite side of the press-centre (next to the them there were the Italian fans). There were more. At least, we got such impression. My attention was attracted by a nice, older gentleman, wearing a dress of Liverpool, whom the director Mice claimed that he has seen on TV during the matches of Liverpool. He was accompanied by a younger child, most probably his nephew. Both were nice, and certainly convinced that their favorite will win. When before the match the fans of Liverpool started singing their hymn “You will never walk alone”, I was certain (at that moment) that Liverpool will be celebrating.

The match itself went calmly when it comes to the press-box. I think that our seats contributed to it. We were too low, so that a part of the terrain was covered by boxes for coaches and reserve players. I think that a part of the viewers at the stadium in Athens, particularly in the low first rows, which were made for Olympic Games in 2004, is intended to follow athlete races. I have no other explanation for the fact that I was watching nicer, better and more clearly all who were down on the athlete path, than the soccer players on terrain!? It was confirmed at the end of the match when Pipo Inzagi was standing in front of us and we were looking at him as it was on models’ runway! From the soccer point of view, at the final match there wasn’t any “high pressure”, everything went too quietly for a finals of Champions’ league, in addition to the quality of game, especially shots in the middle of terrain were skillfully made. I couldn’t made any comparison with the precedent three Finals that I followed, particularly the last one in Istanbul. I think that this duel was absolutely calmest, most quiet, least exciting even though the result didn’t confirm that.

I realized the essence in two-three days after the finals. Since the passions calmed down, and we left Athens and watched peacefully the video-records and photographs in Skopje, the only thing that was clear, was that the soccer is a magic! This was proved by the Finals in Athens. It was proved that first of all the soccer is a game, entertainment, pleasure, love, joy, sadness… It is so to million people throughout the world. I don’t believe that it is not so to Silvio Berluskoni too. How he was encouraging his trainees. How he was showing that he was happy and longed for success. The boss of Milan is a typical example of a man loving soccer, being in love with… in addition to business and money that he spends on and receives from soccer.

I will finish the fifth dimension by the words of my business partner Dimitar Tasev written at the eave of Finals about our Macedonian “sports workers”. We have attended three Finals with Mice. In Gelzenkirhen, we expected that there would not be many Macedonians. But in Istanbul and Athens, in addition to the journalists we haven’t’ seen any other Macedonian!? The “blinds” stayed at home. After our return I read somewhere that Haralampie has been in Athens!? I haven’t seen him there!?

Obviously, the magic of Champions League that overcame the Balkans left our “sports workers” sober. 

At EURO 2008- transport for journalists-free of charge?
We received interesting information from the high official of UEFA, Mr. Frits Ahlstrom, who was directly engaged in accreditation of journalists to attend Finals and at the same time was included in the Organizational Committee of EURO 2008-Department for accreditation of journalists, which will take place in 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.

“The experience from the world championship which took place in Germany, where the journalists traveled by trains and special shuttle-busses free of charge, proved to be a good shot when it comes to reporting from different places. We were considering and making efforts to provide the same to you for the upcoming European Championship”, -said Frits Ahistorm to us.

Accreditation refused to Macedonian (sports) medias?
In Athens one of colleagues of mine, who's a well known sports journalist who I worked with before for “Skok” told me that some medias were refused i.e. the accreditation were not approved to them. This is an evidence-plus of non-attendance of the Macedonian sports medias (when it comes to continuous attendance) at great soccer events organized by UEFA and FIFA. 

Continuous attendance of “SKOK” at great soccer events
With regard to the above, “SKOK” is one of the rare medias (if not only) which got accreditations for the last three (3) World soccer championships, the last three (3) European soccer championships, and the last three (3) finals of the Champions league.

The journalists of “SKOK” used all accreditations they received.
“SKOK” received accreditation for UEFA’s Congress too, which was held in Düsseldorf (on 31st of January, 2007) but it didn’t got one for the matches of Macedonian soccer representation against England and Russia in Skopje!?

Meeting with Franz Beckenbauer
“Good afternoon, have a nice day Mr. Beckenbauer. We are journalists coming from Macedonia”
So, we have started our short conversation with the legend of world soccer Franz Beckenbauer, in front of the stadium in Athens, who curiously looked at our accreditation and as if he knew what was happening to our soccer, replied:

“It’s good to see you here. You are welcomed! How can I help you?
We have talked about the world championship in Germany, Finals in Athens, and Congress of FIFA in Nion…
“FIFA” has strong rules and any national federation has to comply strictly with these rules which have been valid for decades”-said Beckenbauers. 

Press Atmosphere
We could follow the press after the match as all of the other interested journalist who entered the hall with accreditations only, without any special press-pass which has been a practice during such events.

We had opportunity to witness the professionalism, respect that the coaches Rafa Benitez and Karlo Ancheloti, i.e. Pipo Inzagi have shown towards the journalists.
Rafael Beniteza was special, at the end of the official part stayed in the lobby 15 min. more with journalist of English TV “BBC”.

Title- Can of beer-six euros!
The refreshing at half time cost –a small fortune. The hosts charged six euros for one can of soft beer! So, the finals are-once a year.