The people of Rousse will welcome tomorrow the “Holy Grail” of European football;

UniCredit provides for the championship spirit during the weekend: On 17th and 18th October, in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia, the Trophy will be available for all who want to take pictures with it.

The legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel will accompany the UEFA Champions League Trophy in Bulgaria. The most precious trophy of European football will officially enter Bulgaria tomorrow through the Danube Bridge as part of its first European Tour, organized by UniCredit Group. The most powerful banking group in Central and Eastern Europe, which in Bulgaria is represented by UniCredit Bulbank, is an official sponsor of UEFA Champions League for the following three match seasons.

Right after its arrival in Bulgaria, the Trophy will be officially welcomed by the residents of Rousse and the guests to the city. At 11:00 o'clock, on the central square in Rousse, the ceremony, which is specially organized with support from the municipality, will start, and the Rousse people will have about an hour to see the Trophy live and to take pictures with it.

After its stay in Rousse, the Trophy will continue its journey to Sofia where during the weekend (17th and 18th October) it will be available for all who want to feel like champions.

The Trophy of UEFA Champions League will be displayed in a specially constructed pavilion in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre with free access for all who wish to see it between 12:00am and 20:00pm on 17th October and between 9:00am and 21:00pm on 18th October.

Especially for the Trophy’s tour in Bulgaria, Peter Schmeichel will arrive. The notorious Dane was awarded the prize for the best goalkeeper in two successive years – 1992 and 1993. Schmeichel won the privilege to drink champagne from the trophy (which all Bulgarian fans will now be able to see) in 1999 when Manchester United, which back then was the team he played for, ranked first at the UEFA Champions League tournament. Apart from its excellent play for various football clubs, Schmeichel played also a key role in the Danish national football team in winning the European Football Championship in 1992.

Because of the expected huge interest, entry to the pavilion for taking pictures with the Trophy will be secured through two lanes. The keenest fans can ensure access now through the lane for quicker access (VIP entrance) by registering on the site specially designed for the Trophy’s Tour: http://be-part-of-it.unicredit.eu/bg/ . There one needs to select one after the other “Trophy’s Tour” and “Tour and exhibition” from the above two lanes. Then, in the VIP access section, people need to register themselves and relatives or friends as VIP guests to the exhibition. The printed registration form has to be presented at the entrance of the pavilion.

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