The atmosphere around Dublin throughout yesterday, and especially in the Aviva Stadium last night was something to behold.
The Blue of Atalanta and the red and Black of Leverkusen weaved amongst each other, with added splashes of Ireland, Celtic, Bohs, Liverpool and other shirts in the mix as well.
Dublin Castle was thronged, fans also stopped off at Shelbourne Park in the shadow of the stadium and the travelling fans had taken up their places in the ground a full hour before kick-off. The North Stand and Half of the East was entirely German. Half of the Singing section in the South and around the West Stands was entirely Italian.
Between them they had brought 30,000 fans to Dublin and they never stopped singing. The noise, colour and excitement was like we occasionally get to see at an FAI Cup Final in the stadium but if this was repeated every week it would need a new roof on an annual basis.
Atalanta dominated the game, against the odds and an Everton fan near me just shook his head at the performance of Ademola Lookman who became only the second Hat trick scorer in Europa League Final history,, matching the number of goals he scored in three full seasons at Goodison Park.
Leverkusen came in as overwhelming favourites but never got going. Their fans remained loyal throughout though, if not quite matching the intensity of the Italians, then at least staying through all the post-match presentation, and remaining buoyant in the streets after the game. They are the Bundesliga Champions and they have a German Cup Final to look forward to at the weekend. They’ll be fine.
John O’Shea played a starring role as an official ambassador for the tournament, carrying the trophy onto the pitch before the game and to the presentation podium erected after the final whistle. He could get used to full houses in the stadium, you might imagine.
FAI President Paul Cooke was in his element greeting the players onto the podium alongside the Presidents of the German and Italian Football Associations and Alexander Ceferin, the President of UEFA.
This was Ireland playing on the big stage. It was 13 years since the last European final to be played here but at least now we only have four years to wait until UEFA lands in town again, this time for the Finals of Euro 2028. Hopefully, we will have Irish players to cheer then but even if not, beg, borrow or somehow make sure you have a ticket to get to the games.
Some might find it corny but the big occasions do turn on the showbiz. We had 150 Dublin-based dancers entertaining us on the pitch before kick off, flames being thrown into the night air and a soundtrack more familiar to the TV than real life. It felt special and if anyone was not impressed by the buzz about the place they probably weren’t there.
There were differences in the way that UEFA manage the place, with the cooperation of the stadium, Dublin City Council, the transport authorities and the Gardaí.
For a start every ticket holder had full free use of public transport to get to the ground. All you had to do was show your app-based ticket.
There was a heavier Garda presence than perhaps ever seen at a game, 3,000 by some accounts, that is almost one in five of the entire force. They had their horses and their shields, a helicopter buzzing overhead but as far as we could see a quieter night than they might have imagined. Giving directions to Temple Bar seemed to have been the most onerous challenge.
UEFA have done well in colour coding their competitions, using similar vivid colours as the League of Ireland and the Orange of the Europa League really popped on both the static and the LED boards.
Louise Cassidy, who oversaw the Irish version of that rebrand was there last night with her Dad who predicted before the game that Atalanta would win 3-0. Smart family that.
The FAI were entertaining partners but were enjoying being guests rather than having to oversee every small detail of a big match day. This was a UEFA show from top to bottom, and they do things very well.
There were fewer hats, flags and scarves on sale from the side of the street outside, you could get them for €25 inside the ground. Fewer programme sellers from boxes outside as well but a €12 payment to buy one inside, sure what price are memories though?
It was a great occasion, an impressive performance from the underdogs, and a glimpse of what we can expect again in four years time. Football at its finest with all the colour and fizz, none of the undertow that some had feared.
Dalymount and Tallaght Stadium might seem a little quieter this weekend in comparison but they deliver week in week out on the unbeatable experience of being there for a live match.
This was just a taste of what it’s like on a bigger scale.
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