UEFA head visits Fenerbahce stadium ahead of final match

UEFA President Michel Platini and a delegation yesterday paid a visit to Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for final inspections ahead of the 2008-09 season UEFA Cup Final match, to be played there next month. Platini was accompanied by Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mahmut Ozgener, Fenerbahce Club head Aziz Yildirim, and other officials. UEFA Vice President Senes Erzik, Ozgener and other UEFA and TFF officials were received in front of the stadium by Fenerbahce managers Murat Ozaydinli and Neset Yalcin. Platini was presented with flowers, after which he enjoyed tea, chatted and gave autographs. Afterwards, Platini and his delegation inspected the stadium and heard about preparations for the match. Platini also visited the UEFA offices at the stadium and then left for a ceremony to mark the handing over of the UEFA cup to Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas. The cup will be displayed at various spots in the city until the final game. "I've seen a great enthusiasm here and I believe it will be a fantastic final," Platini told the ceremony. Also speaking at the ceremony, Topbas said, "I'm very excited. This is the greatest chance that a mayor could ever get." State Minister for Youth and Sports Murat Baseskioglu was also in attendance.