WHEN DUBLIN was first awarded the Europa League final two years ago nobody expected the visit of Queen Elizabeth.
About 25,000 other overseas visitors are due in Dublin for the Europa League final tonight between Porto and their near neighbours Braga.
Among those who arrived yesterday was the dapper figure of the mayor of Braga, Mesquita Machado, who has been in charge of the city since 1976.
Mr Machado encouraged Irish people to get behind Braga who are much the smaller of the two clubs participating in the final.
“The Irish are nice, I know they will help us,” the mayor said. “We have already won just by being here and we can start celebrating now.”
A television audience of 40-60 million is expected. David McRedmond, chief executive of the host broadcaster TV3, said it would be the most ambitious broadcast of any sporting occasion in Ireland with 40 cameras, including spider-cams which give a panoramic view of the play.
“People have been overdosing on Ireland’s dreadful economy, but they are going to see one of the best and most modern stadiums in Europe and a brilliant spectacle,” he said.
The rebranding of the Aviva stadium into the Dublin Arena for the night has been completed. All references to its name have been removed.
Braga are only bringing 3,000 fans. A club spokesman said: “We are in a very difficult economic situation. Irish people understand.”
Another 10,000 neutrals and Uefa officials and sponsors are coming from overseas.
It is estimated that 80 per cent of Portuguese fans will be coming in on charter flights and will not be staying over. Getting 10,000 fans in and out of the airport in the 24-hour period will be the biggest logistical operation in the history of Dublin airport, said spokeswoman Siobhan Moore.
