Pure formality – 11FRIENDS

„We didn’t expect it at all,” says Wat D. Fug as he checks the ticket readers in Nottingham Forest’s offices. The machines would normally be used in the home game against Coventry City next Wednesday evening, when around 20,000 spectators are allowed to come to the City Ground. However, according to the latest information from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, there could soon be other crowds at the Nottingham Forest entry gates. Because when it comes to the leaders of the English second division club, Neymar, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will soon be visiting there regularly.

„UEFA’s idea of ​​soon providing the Champions League with two additional places for teams that have had a lot of success in this very competition in the past,” says Fug, ​„is of course fantastic. And, if you ask me, she’s not a second too soon.” Fug, who has been the managing director of the traditional club since 2007, and who Tricky Trees led back to the second division, knows: The story is a bargaining chip for the financially badly battered club from Central England.

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Nottingham won the European Cup under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980. Even today, a statue of the master coach in the city and the two trophies at the club center bear witness to the successes of the past. ​„Of course, that makes a great impression,” admits Fug. ​„When we tried to convince Sam Surridge in the summer, of course, he was amazed when he saw the Champions League trophies with us. He thought we had bought the things on eBay.” The transfer of the centre-forward, who netted four times for Bournemouth last year? In the aftermath, it’s just a matter of form, says Fug.

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It seems UEFA struck a chord with their plan to include historic performances. It’s not just Nottingham that is getting ready to play internationally again in the next few years, planning is also starting at Ipswich Town and Steaua Bucharest. ​„You have to understand,” explains Bucharest club president Efçe Espe on the phone, ​„that we first have to rewrite the current contracts with the stadium company here in Bucharest.” In the Arena Nationala, unofficial championship races for Romanian wind street dogs took place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Dates that could soon be occupied again with games in the top international league.

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