Gareth’s set for homecoming as Real reach final
GARETH BALE is set for a dream Cardiff homecoming next month after his Real Madrid side saw off bitter rivals Atlético to book a place in the Champions League final.
The Whitchurch winger faces a race to be fit for the biggest match in club football on June 3.
But he will be desperate to play at the Principality Stadium against Italian giants Juventus.
European football fans will flock in their thousands to Cardiff next month for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Alan Hamer, LOC project director, said: “The FAW and its stakeholders have been working tirelessly since the announcement in June 2015 that the 2017 Uefa Champions League final would be held at the National Stadium of Wales, in Cardiff.
“To now know the identify of the two finalists is hugely exciting, and we couldn’t have wished for two stronger or more significant teams to welcome to the capital in three weeks time.”
Both teams who have made the road to Cardiff have arguably stronger connections with Wales than any other European clubs.
Mr Hamer added: “There is of course Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale who could break records by winning a second successive final.
“And John Toshack is revered as one of Real Madrid’s great managers.
“2017 marks 60 years since Juventus’ love affair with Wales great John Charles, and of course Ian Rush, official 2017 UEFA Champions League final ambassador, is a former Juventus player. We’re certainly in for an exciting match on June 3, and we’re confident that Cardiff and Wales will put on quite a show when the world’s biggest sporting event of 2017 comes to the capital.”
Cardiff is already undergoing a transformation in preparation for the huge influx of visitors.
Around 200,000 fans are expected in the city for finals week, with 170,000 of those in Cardiff for the showpiece match on June 3.
Adrian Barsby, chair of Wales Tourism Alliance, said: “Hosting the Champions League final is fantastic for the profile of Wales and puts Cardiff on the map as a tourist destination for sport and major entertainment events. I think it should help to broaden the appeal of Cardiff as a destination and hopefully encourage people to fly directly into Wales.”