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Football
04.06.2009 11:00
Emirates to host World Club Championship
Roger Bogunyà
FC Barcelona will play in the World Club Championships in the United Arab Emirates between 9th and 19th December – a competition the club have never yet won.
It will be the first time that the competition, previously
known as the Copa Intercontinental, has been held in the Emirates, having been hosted by Japan for
since its inauguration in 2005. In 2006 Frank Rijkaard’s team lost 0-1 in the final to
Internacional de Porto Alegre.
The United Arab Emirates has previously hosted the World Under 20 Cup in 2003 and the World Beach Soccer Cup in 2009.
L’estadi, seu de l’Al-Jazira
The Stadium where the games are to be held is the Mohammed bin Zayed (named after the
Abu Dhabi prince), with a capacity of 42.056. The Stadium is home to CF Al-Jazira and has also
hosted cricket games.
From 9th to 19th December
Although the competition begins on 9th December, Barca will not be involved until the
final stages and it seems likely that the team will have to postpone their La Liga game on the
final weekend before Christmas. The tournament comes a few days after the final Group stage game of
the Champions League.
Abu Dhabi, city for the future
Abu Dhabi, the petrol rich Emirates capital where the final will be played is the largest of the
seven Emirates which joined to form the country in 1971. The wall-to-wall sunshine and its
futuristic architecture have proved to be a magnet for tourists in the area. Abu Dhabi has also
hosted its first Formula 1 Gran Prix this year.
