UniCredit and UEFA bring the UEFA Champions League Trophy to Sofia and offer a once in a lifetime experience, a picture with the trophy. It will be shown in front of the Ivan Vazov Theatre on October 17 – 18

As of tomorrow everyone in town can take a close look at the most coveted trophy in European club football – the UEFA Champions League Trophy – and even have a unique moment with it. It will be exhibited in a special pavilion in front of Ivan Vazov National Theatre. The admission to see the trophy is free for all. There will be a collection of original memorabilia, including jerseys with the signatures of six of the world’s most famous football players – Karim Benzema, Samuel Eto’o, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Michel Platini, Xavi Hernández and the UEFA Champions League final jersey of Hamburger SV.

The pavilion with the Trophy of UEFA Champions League will be open for visits

• 17 October - 12:00 and 20:00 o’clock

• 18 October - 9:00 and 21:00 o’clock

In addition to the unforgettable memories and emotions, one winner will leave with two tickets for a match of the UEFA Champions League, provided by UniCredit Bulbank. The biggest bank in Bulgaria will take care of flights and accommodation for the lucky persons as well.

 

Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel arrives exclusively for the Bulgarian leg of the tour. The famous Dane was awarded the prize for the best goalkeeper in two successive years – 1992 and 1993. Schmeichel had the privilege to drink champagne from the Trophy in 1999 when Manchester United FC won the UEFA Champions League.

Krassimir Balakov one of Bulgaria’s greatest ever players has also been appointed as UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassador and will meet the public during the final leg of the tour. Balakov made 92 appearances for Bulgaria, scoring 15 goals and was a part of the famous squad that made it to the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

«UniCredit Bulbank is honoured to host the Trophy in Bulgaria. We already saw the enthusiasm that the «Holy Grail» of European club football brought about in Rousse where it was welcomed by over 1500 fans. We are convinced that in Sofia and Pleven the interest will be very big as well», said Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit Bulbank Levon Hampartsumian.

UEFA spokesman Grigorios Biskos also expressed his happiness with the warm welcome of the Trophy and expressed his gratitude to UniCredit Group for the successful partnership thanks to which the strongest football tournament will increase its popularity in Central and Eastern Europe.

The keenest fans can ensure a smooth access by registering on the Trophy Tour microsite, UniCredit.eu/champions. Thousands of fans have already done so in the last weeks, when the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour has visited Zagreb (Croatia), Bucharest (Romania) and Budapest (Hungary). The Trophy has travelled 3,800 km and more than 68,000 people have seen it so far.

The Tour represents one of the main initiatives of UniCredit’s three year sponsorship of the Champions League, a strategic undertaking which will enable UniCredit – the only bank to sponsor the competition from 2009 to 2012 – to increase its visibility as a European banking group with strong and deep roots in 22 countries. Through the UEFA Champions League sponsorship, UniCredit will also develop, in partnership with local communities in countries where it is present, a series of social initiatives that will strengthen the sense of belonging to the Group and all of its employees.

For contacts:

UniCredit Bulbank, PR and Corporate communications

Victoria Blazheva, Phone number: 02/9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva: Phone number: 02/9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch