22.05.2010
Party atmosphere ahead of Champions final


Bayern Munich and Inter Milan fans enjoyed a party atmosphere on Saturday in the build up to the Champions League final between the two teams at the Santiago Bernabeu here.
Throughout the day Bayern fans, decked in red, and Inter supporters in black and blue shirts, wandered around the Spanish capital.
Some even lapped up culture with fans enjoying the National Prado museum, the home of many artworks by the greatest Spanish masters such as Francisco Goya and Diego Velasquez.
But there was also a smattering of other shirts on view, in particular the Spain red and Real Madrid's white.
Supporters sang in the metro throughout the day while they filled the many squares and boulevards around town.
With two hours to go before kick-off the stadium, home of Real, was already more than half full with fans in full voice and the two ends packed to the rafters.
The usual collection of banners were draped over the safety barriers with Bayern's Red Sharks facing off with Inter's Ultras.
There was also individual support for the likes of Inter captain Javier Zanetti, playing in his 700th match for the club.
Outside the ground there were a number of touts, including a posse of English ones, selling tickets at around 300 euros.
The sun was shining and it was a baking hot 28 degrees with one side of the ground basking in the sunlight, providing a perfect setting for the expected fireworks to come.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Giuseppe Cacace
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