Champions League Anniversary Means Paris Final...Again

Uefa.com reports that the awarding of the 2006 UEFA Champions League final to the Stade de France in Paris gives UEFA a chance to mark a special anniversary, suggesting that any other venue was almost guaranteed to lose out to the French capital’s bid to host the prestigious tournament.

Perhaps unknown to many, 2006 will be the 50^th anniversary of the tournament, with the first final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup being held at the Parc des Princes in Paris – Real Madrid defeating Reims 4-3 in a thrilling encounter which twice saw them go behind,

"It will be 50 years next season since the European Champion Clubs' Cup started," said UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson.

"The first final was played in Paris - so this is a good reason for us to go back and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the most popular club competition in Europe."

UEFA's Executive Committee approved the proposal at its recent meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.

However, rival bids would have reason to feel disappointed with the Stade de France hosting 2000 Champions League Final with Real Madrid capturing the trophy in an all Spanish affair with Valencia.

With a wealth of stadia across Europe, it seems unjust that Paris should get the event just six years after last hosting the tournament, even in a major anniversary year for the competition.

Paris has previously hosted the tournament four times, as well as three other UEFA competition finals.

For this year’s event, UEFA chose Istanbul for the venue, in a brave move following violence and deaths marring European games involving not only Turkish fans but English and other nationalities.