Lucescu: Charm offensive for Turkish audience

Shakhtar Donetsk's Romanian coach sweet-talks Turkish football fans at the official UEFA press conference.
First Team
Tuesday, 19.05.2009 / 08:46

This is the big-time world of football: 63 lenses, 27 cameras and the eight eyes of the four simultaneous interpreters were all pointing towards Mesut Özil, Torsten Frings and...

This is the big-time world of football: 63 lenses, 27 cameras and the eight eyes of the four simultaneous interpreters were all pointing towards Mesut Özil, Torsten Frings and head coach Thomas Schaaf. The Werder trio were appearing before the international media at the official UEFA press conference in a large tent Tuesday evening before the final training for the UEFA Cup final. Just two arms' length away from the UEFA Cup trophy, they answered the same questions which have been asked of them for weeks now.

 

"We took such a long way, that now we also want to win the trophy," said Werder coach Schaaf. A couple hours earlier, the Donetsk delegation sat next to the trophy and Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu tried to use some charm to win points with the Turkish fans. "I love Istanbul. It's a very interesting city. I was active for quite some time in Turkish football and they were very nice years," said Lucescu, who continued his flattery with: "I always had a good rapport with the fans, regardless from which club they were. Turkish fans are something special. And they deserve to host this final."

 

Mesut Özil, meanwhile, believes the Turkish fans will throw their support behind Werder. "I expect a lot of support for us. I have a lot of friends here in Istanbul and a big family. All of them will be coming to the game and cheering for me. I will concentrate on helping the team with a great game," said the Bremen midfielder.

 

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