Zenit returns UEFA Cup ahead of Istanbul final
Published: 24 April, 2009, 11:04
UEFA president Michel Platini (L), Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas (C) and Zenit St. Petersburg's midfielder Anatoly Timoshchyuk (AFP Photo / Bulent Kilic)
TAGS: Sport, Europa League, Football
After etching their name into UEFA cup history books by winning the trophy last year, Zenit have also become a part of the tournament's closing chapter, as it prepares for a makeover.
The Saint Petersburg club came to Istanbul to return the cup to UEFA officials one last time as the competition braces for the final on May 20.
Zenit's midfielder Anatoly Timoschuk, who is set to leave the club for Bayern Munich in summer, handed the Cup over to UEFA chief Michel Platini.
"Last year, we knocked out strong teams like Olympique Marseille, Bayern München, and Villarreal. It was not an easy thing to do. It is hard to find a word to describe winning this trophy, and it is something we would hope to experience again in the future," Anatoly Timoschuk said to UEFA.com.
Tymoshchuk was accompanied by fellow Zenit delegates Maxim Mitrofanov, the chief executive, and Vladislav Radimov, the team manager.
All-German (Werder Bremen – Hamburg) and all-Ukrainian (Dinamo Kiev – Shakhtar Donetsk) duels will decide the teams to fight for the last UEFA Cup in history.
Starting next season, the event will be renamed to the Europa League, and will feature a new format of 12 groups of 4 teams.
"The UEFA Cup was the only trophy I couldn't win as a player, and unfortunately I won't have the chance any more. As a modern institution, we have taken the decision to change the competition structure and name. These changes will make this deep-rooted competition even better. More clubs and fans will have the possibility of enjoying European football and its excitement. The success of the Europa League is very important to UEFA," Michel Platini said.
The mayor of the Turkish megapolis, Kadir Topbas, will keep this last piece of history on public display until it's claimed by the winner.
23.04.2009, 20:38
Metallica to rock Zenit’s new stadiumMother of all heavy metal bands, Metallica, will open the new stadium of Russia’s Premier League team, Zenit Saint Petersburg, next year, the RIA Novosti news agency reports. |
25.04.2009, 10:45
Ukraine to host EURO 2012 anywayIt has been confirmed that Ukraine will host the European football championship in 2012, along with Poland. But while Ukrainian football is doing well, the same can't be said about the country's economy. |
