This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6654893.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Viva Espana' on Uefa Cup night | 'Viva Espana' on Uefa Cup night |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| By Stephen Stewart Glasgow and West of Scotland reporterBBC Scotland news website | |
| In Pictures: Uefa atmosphere Fiesta kicks off in style | |
| "Hola, que tal? Es veinte minutos al partido de fútbol." The unsuspecting football fan could be forgiven for thinking he had arrived in the land of sun and sangria. | |
| But this was Glasgow Central train station on a Wednesday night and the air was full with the lilting dialects of Catalan and Castilian Spanish. | But this was Glasgow Central train station on a Wednesday night and the air was full with the lilting dialects of Catalan and Castilian Spanish. |
| As commuters and shoppers headed home, it was clear that this was no ordinary midweek evening but the run-up to one of the most momentous nights in European football. | As commuters and shoppers headed home, it was clear that this was no ordinary midweek evening but the run-up to one of the most momentous nights in European football. |
| Fans from Spanish giants Sevilla and Espanyol gave Scotland's biggest city an Iberian makeover as they fiesta-ed the day away and prepared for the Uefa Cup final. | Fans from Spanish giants Sevilla and Espanyol gave Scotland's biggest city an Iberian makeover as they fiesta-ed the day away and prepared for the Uefa Cup final. |
| Officers from the British Transport Police and Strathclyde Police were out in force to ensure that it was a safe and good humoured night of football. | Officers from the British Transport Police and Strathclyde Police were out in force to ensure that it was a safe and good humoured night of football. |
| There is a real carnival atmosphere in the city Alex McGuireBritish Transport Police | There is a real carnival atmosphere in the city Alex McGuireBritish Transport Police |
| More than 80 British Transport Police officers were out and about to ensure fans and commuters could travel safely. | More than 80 British Transport Police officers were out and about to ensure fans and commuters could travel safely. |
| Chief Inspector of Operations for the Scottish area of the British Transport Police, Alex McGuire, said: "There is a real carnival atmosphere in the city. | Chief Inspector of Operations for the Scottish area of the British Transport Police, Alex McGuire, said: "There is a real carnival atmosphere in the city. |
| "Our main aim is to make sure everyone gets to the game safely and on time and to ensure that they enjoy themselves. | "Our main aim is to make sure everyone gets to the game safely and on time and to ensure that they enjoy themselves. |
| "We have officers from the Wales and Western area who have been drafted in because of their specialist public order experience and their expertise policing large events at places like the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. | "We have officers from the Wales and Western area who have been drafted in because of their specialist public order experience and their expertise policing large events at places like the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. |
| British Transport Police officers helped a Sevilla fan | British Transport Police officers helped a Sevilla fan |
| "However, we do not envisage any problems and I have told my officers to enjoy themselves and the spectacle of this carnival of football." | "However, we do not envisage any problems and I have told my officers to enjoy themselves and the spectacle of this carnival of football." |
| Hampden Park may have hosted five previous European finals but this had to rank as one of the most colourful. | Hampden Park may have hosted five previous European finals but this had to rank as one of the most colourful. |
| Bars and restaurants in the Mount Florida area around Hampden were festooned with the yellow and red of Spain's national flag as Spanish football fans enjoyed a pre-match San Miguel. | Bars and restaurants in the Mount Florida area around Hampden were festooned with the yellow and red of Spain's national flag as Spanish football fans enjoyed a pre-match San Miguel. |
| Spanish costumes | Spanish costumes |
| Jorge Delgado, 30, said: "This is my first time in Glasgow but I will be back. | Jorge Delgado, 30, said: "This is my first time in Glasgow but I will be back. |
| "I support Sevilla and Celtic fans gave a great impression of Glasgow when they visited our city. | "I support Sevilla and Celtic fans gave a great impression of Glasgow when they visited our city. |
| "We have been made very welcome here. We love Scotland." | "We have been made very welcome here. We love Scotland." |
| The area around Hampden took on a fiesta atmosphere with locals and visitors alike dressed in a bizarre mixture of kilts and Spanish costumes. | The area around Hampden took on a fiesta atmosphere with locals and visitors alike dressed in a bizarre mixture of kilts and Spanish costumes. |
| Even before kick-off, regardless of the result, this looked like a party which would last into the wee small hours. | Even before kick-off, regardless of the result, this looked like a party which would last into the wee small hours. |