Dublin’s city heart was bustling with a sea of red and blue scarves on Wednesday, as roughly 48,000 fans came for the UEFA Europa League Final featuring Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.
Dublin Airport was set to welcome around 30,000 individuals flying in just for the match, with a third predicted to arrive on Wednesday to witness the Lansdowne Road event.
A lot of spectators made the most of the city’s attractions, including the famous Molly Malone statue, before the final’s commencement while a large number gathered at Dublin Castle to participate in the official Fan Festival.
The castle was continuously buzzing with fans, including Sabine and Frank, a couple hailing from Oberhausen and Hamburg, Germany.
Anticipating a jubilant celebration in the capital post match, the couple expressed their hope for Leverkusen’s victory along with Sabine and Frank, another couple who are their long-term friends.
Just two games away from an undefeated season, Bayer Leverkusen, however, acknowledge in Atalanta’s belief that any team can be defeated.
On a spontaneous decision, both couples managed to book their spot at the final the previous week. However, it turned out to be a quite expensive voyage, with each couple spending approximately €3,000 on air travel, hotels and match tickets.
Several hours before making their way to the Aviva Stadium, Frank shared his observations regarding the friendliness displayed, in contrast to the football matches held in Germany.
Expressing his delight with how cordial the Irish fans were, Frank shared his experience of making friends with some Bergamo natives while Sabine added that everyone simply seemed content.
Commenting further, Frank mentioned that the atmosphere was far better than in Germany, where teams like Leverkusen and Cologne often have tense encounters. He added that he did not expect such heated exchanges to occur in Dublin.
The couple felt safe in Dublin, thanks in part to the numerous local Garda present as part of a massive policing strategy across the city.
The duo expressed their admiration for Dublin, not just for the football, but overall as an pleasant city.
Sabine, clad in a Leverkusen jersey, mentioned that numerous locals wished them good luck for the match.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the Fan Festival were fans from Bergamo in Italy, namely Gianluca and Alfio, eagerly awaiting the impending match.
Three months prior, two individuals, Alfio and Gianluca, who had never met before, happened to cross paths at a Belgian airport. Both were donned in Atalanta supporter outfits, waiting for a flight to Bergamo. From that moment, their mutual love for football has led them to several games and they’ve also met new friends on their journeys.
“We initially connected as strangers,” Alfio mused. “Now, we have formed a group of six in Belgium, and we’ve already attended three games as a unit. He also spoke with fondness about their latest trip, “It is not my first time here, having come five years ago I can safely say I did miss the Guinness and the pubs. However, he also expressed concerns about the hefty prices of accommodation being a tried and true fan entails. “I settled for a hostel in the end, but it cost €55 a night. At least it’s centrally located,” Alfio mentioned.
Gianluca had a less conventional solution for their stay. With an early departure scheduled the morning after the match, he found it fitting to make the airport his temporary dwelling. A clear indication of his dedication, Gianluca announced, “I’ll be spending the night at the airport,” with a chuckle.
Despite the anticipating nerves, the Belgian-based Atalanta supporters remain optimistic, even though they are aware of Leverkusen’s formidable players.
Louise Duffy, a football enthusiast from Donegal, made her way to Dublin to serve as an official volunteer. Recalling her lifelong devotion to the sport, she revealed, “I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl.” The seasoned 60-year-old had offered her services for the Uefa Euro 2020 in Dublin, but her plans were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m a Liverpool fan, honestly, they were meant to be here,” she softly admitted, but managed to remain upbeat, adding, “But, it’s not all bad, it’s still a lot of fun.”
Along with other volunteers, Duffy will guide supporters towards the Aviva Stadium and later join them to watch the match at the volunteer’s hub. At the entrance to Dublin Castle, stood a gigantic football where she saw fans of both teams, Atalanta and Leverkusen, sharing light moments. She commented, “Despite being mindful about everyone’s safety, seeing fans taking pictures together was quite a sight.”