The season may be over for PSV, but on Saturday afternoon the gates of the Philips Stadium will ‘just’ open again. And for a special game of football: the Champions League final for women. Here are five things you need to know for this competition.
Who’s playing?
The final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as the tournament is officially called, is this season between FC Barcelona and VFL Wolfsburg. The final battle is anything but a first for both teams. The Catalans even play for the cup for the third year in a row. Two seasons ago (then with Oranjeleeuwin Lieke Martens) they won by force majeure against Chelsea. Last year they lost against record holder Olympique Lyon.
The same French team was also the opponent of VFL Wolfsburg, when that team reached the final for the last time in the 2019/2020 season. And they lost too. Yet even the Germans do not have an empty trophy cabinet. They even won the prestigious prize twice: in 2013 and 2014.
Is there a Dutch contribution?
Yes, although not from the Spanish side. Star player Lieke Martens exchanged Barcelona at the end of last season for an – so far unsuccessful – adventure at Paris Saint-Germain. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, has a pretty orange edge. Jill Roord, Lynn Wilms and Dominique Janssen are on the payroll there.
Are there no Brabanders at all?
Of course! There is a good chance that you will hear the voice of Damian van Essen through the stadium tomorrow. The 24-year-old Ossenaar has been active as an announcer for clubs such as TOP Oss, NEC and PSV since the age of fifteen and can now add a special job to that. “Something from my bucket list? That might be a big word, but it’s definitely a nice milestone.”
“I did take an English lesson.”
And just like the players, Damian has also been busy with all the preparations for weeks. “I must honestly say that I have taken an English lesson. And I have gone through all the Spanish and German names with people who speak the language well. Although I hope that some of them do not score too often.”
What does the final mean for Eindhoven?
It is expected to be quite busy on Saturday from early afternoon to late evening. Where during a normal PSV match many fans come by bicycle or public transport, many invitees will probably travel from further afield to the stadium by car. As a result, many parking garages will fill up faster.
Can I be there?
Unfortunately. All 34,120 available tickets have been sold, so the stadium is packed. That also makes this final the most visited football match for women ever in the Netherlands. The previous record (33,742) was set at the beginning of March, when Ajax and Feyenoord competed against each other in the Arena.
But don’t worry: you can follow the game on TV. The final will be broadcast live by NOS.