Festive vibe at Cardiff Bay
The final of a sporting event is not just about the game itself but also the festivities revolving around it. And the festivities ahead of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus, the biggest sporting event in 2017, at Cardiff Bay for the last couple of days is something overwhelming for someone who has never been a part of it before.
Arriving at Cardiff Central on Friday evening and after a few minute's walk we asked a Welshman how far it was to the Principality Stadium. He was a bit surprised before pointing his finger right across the road to a huge metallic structure. Since all gates of the venue were closed and heavily guarded by uniformed police, we decided to head to Cardiff Bay, where all the activities to showcase the final were going on. It took a five-minute drive -- and the gentleman who drove us was a Bangladeshi expat with a strong Sylheti accent. He was wearing a Panjabi and happily spoke in his mother tongue the moment he realised we were from Bangladesh.
It was a festival open for all but by the time we reached one of the two entry points, it was briefly closed. Security personnel were not allowing anybody in and an aggrieved lady was involved in an animated debate with one of the guards when she was advised to try the other entrance from which she had just been refused. A boy, sporting a Real Madrid shirt, was crying after not being allowed to go inside. However, after half-an-hour, an increasingly agitated crowd was asked to enter through the other entrance.
There was another incident that struck us most. Although flaunting the law is common in our country with fans jumping over the wall or snaking through temporary fencing, a small demo of such an incident took place not far away from the entrance. About 50-odd grown men and women snuck through a very small gap between a wall and wired fencing, which was hidden by a small structure. Police however stepped in quickly to stop further intruders. And they were of course not Bangladeshis.
Once we finally entered the fan zone, a big Champions League trophy invited us. There were a lot of activities inside: Nissan, one of the sponsors of the biggest club competition, arranged something that would allow you to test your shooting skill. The trophy, which will be presented to the winners, was not only on display but you could also have a photograph taken with the glittering piece of glory. A concert was going on next to the trophy and a football match involving former greats was being played on the edge of the bay.
There will about a lucky 74,000 who get to watch the final from inside the Principality Stadium. But the fan zone in Cardiff bay could be the best alternative to watching the game for those who did not get a hold of that elusive ticket.
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