IT’S FINAL COUNTDOWN IN CITY FOR CUP SHOWPIECE
WITH less than a week to go until the Champions League final, changes continue to be made in the capital city. As the build-up continues, Cardiff has seen plenty of alterations, including security barriers being put up across the city and a floating football pitch being built in the Bay area.
The final on Saturday will see Juventus take on Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid at the National Stadium of Wales – the Principality Stadium has had its name changed specifically for the event.
Inside, 3,000 signs are being covered, while 400 metres of wall and asphalt around the pitch are being repainted. Eight new TV studios are being built in the north stand.
The final will follow the Uefa women’s Champions League final at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, June 1, when Lyon will take on Paris Saint-Germain.
As well as the matches, there are four days of free entertainment in Cardiff Bay.
And security will be tight, with thousands of police set to be on Cardiff’s streets.
Dad of two Andrew Pike, 26, from Fairwater, Cardiff, said: “The event is great for Cardiff. I’ve seen a few police and it makes you feel more safe.
“I’m sure there are going to be more next week after what happened in Manchester.”
Björn Hennius has been living in Cardiff for years. Speaking about the Champions League final, the 58-yearold said: “I think it is a great thing for the city of Cardiff.
“I know someone who works on the city council and how they have worked for months to get everything in place.
“So far I have not seen a lot of armed police or anything.
“I’m sure there are people around that we have not noticed. That is something the Brits are good at.
“And I have seen the manhole covers have been seen to.”
Police said this week no changes had been made to their security operation in the wake of the Manchester attack.
South Wales Police Acting Chief Constable Richard Lewis said that, in the week of the final, 6,000 officers will be used “to ensure that the public of Cardiff and visitors from Italy and Spain and the world feel safe and secure.”
Security barriers have been put up at various points across the city centre, for both motorists and pedestrians to use.
Locations include Cowbridge Road East and the Kingsway in the city centre.
Stephen Russell busks in Cardiff city centre.
“I play out here on Friday and Saturday, so I am definitely here on match days,” the 41-year-old, who lives in Newport, said.
“In terms of the security I have never seen armed security here before.
“I’m sure from the professional point of view it is a wise decision to have them here so they can be called up if they are needed.”
A graffiti wall along the Millennium Walkway by the National Stadium of Wales/Principality Stadium has been painted grey ahead of the fixture.
The once bright walkway is now dull and cordoned off with fencing.
Cardiff council said in March it would be used to plug the Champions League and could be used for advertising.
The construction has also finished on a floating football pitch in Cardiff Bay. That has been installed as part of the UEFA Champions Festival in the Bay from June 1 until June 4.
The 3G pitch will be a centrepiece of the celebrations. A number of high-profile events will take place on
it over the four-day festival.
The highlight will be the UEFA Ultimate Champions Match on June 2. That will feature a star-studded lineup and previous Champions League winners.
The main focus of the festival will be Roald Dahl Plass, in front of the Wales Millennium Centre.
Work is under way to transform it ahead of the festival. Meanwhile, a stage is being built next to the Pierhead Building and a walkway has been constructed at Mermaid Quay.
Banners and flags are fluttering across the city, while Juventus and Real Madrid emblems have been unveiled on the National Stadium of Wales. A giant screen has been in- stalled on the city’s Queen Street. There are hanging baskets and even the benches have had a makeover.
The NCP on Westgate Street has also had a giant screen fitted, which will show fan footage, surrounded by a 40 metre by 15-metre banner. The TV alone is 20m by 3.6m and weighs 4,000kg.
On top of Cardiff Castle is a giant blue dragon. It appeared on the ramparts this month with 35 banners and a replica of the Champions League trophy.
Gareth Bale’s banner has been switched from the left of the castle to the right, because Juventus are the ‘home’ team, and Real Madrid the ‘away’ team.