Sports

UEFA Finals: A WLBL Spectacle

Image: Viewing Party for 2018 UEFA Champions League

THE Derek Walcott Square was a hype of football activity — not on the pitch, but on the big screen — as supporters gathered there to take in the showpiece on Saturday.

Hundreds of fans turned-out despite the threat of rain, as Real Madrid made yet another piece of UEFA Champions League history.

The 3-1 win against Liverpool in Kyiv was their third final triumph in a row in the competition, making them the first team to do so on more than one occasion.

History will show that they have had the first five European Cup finals between 1956 and 1960 — and only five other clubs had even reached three in a row: Benfica, Ajax, Bayern and, in the UEFA Champions League era, AC Milan and Juventus.

At the Derek Walcott Square it was the eighth time Windward and Leeward Brewery were hosting such a spectacle, while football fans in the south of the island took in the action at the Daher Mall Court, where a 75’ screen was in place.

The VOICE spoke to Junior Brand Manager for Heineken Mindy Luquiana-Chicot and this is what she had to say: “We have Real Madrid and Liverpool in the finals. This is the Spanish League versus the English League and this is why this year we decided to take it up a notch. A bigger screen, a bigger VIP area, more Heineken consumers invited, small goals competition and lots of giveaways.”

In terms of the boosting the Heineken brand, she said: “Football is loved by millions of people all over the world. It’s the same for Heineken and the two just marry very nicely together. We have been supporting the UEFA Championship League for 24 years and the partnership will continue for many years to come.”

Chicot continued: “For us at WLBL it is very easy, it is a great atmosphere, a fantastic sport and off course Heineken beer been an international brand, the best tasting beer in the world.”

The UFEA Championship League is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and according to Chicot, if you have ever been to a match at that level, you would understand the energy and the excitement of the match itself.

She said, “This is what we try to bring every year to the viewing party, it’s just a taste of what is happening internationally. We want the local crowd to share in the excitement as well!”

Anthony De Beauville is The VOICE Publishing Company’s multi-award winning sports journalist. He works closely with a number of sports federations including the Department of Youth Development and Sports, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee and other organizations.

He covers and contributes articles highlighting the areas of international, regional, national, community based clubs and schools sporting activities. There is never an off day as he stays busy... Read full bio...

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