FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.05.2009 18:10

The Champions of Europe have arrived

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The new Champions of Europe have arrived back in Barcelona. Their charter plane took off from Fiumicino airport at 16.45 and landed at Barcelona El Prat at 18.00.

Josep Guardiola and his players have arrived back in Barcelona after a short flight from Rome. This evening they will celebrate the historic treble of league, Cup and Champions League with the people of Barcelona.

Delayed takeoff

The flight bringing the players back from Rome, a charter CRL-813, took off from Fiumicino at about 16.45, some 45 minutes later than planned. The flight back to Catalonia was uneventful and the plane landed safely at 18.00

The trophy

While the flight itself was straightforward, the atmosphere on board was, of course, electric. Among the passengers were players, coaches, press and many fans and Club members. The Champions League trophy was passed around from hand to hand so that everyone got a chance to hold it.

A party atmosphere

Many of those on board took the opportunity to pose for a photo together with the trophy. The chants of “Champions” and “Cup, league and Champions League” were constant throughout the flight.

Photo and parade

A few minutes after touching down in Barcelona, team manager Josep Guardiola and team captain Carles Puyol got off the plane holding the trophy. They were followed by Club president Joan Laporta, director of football Txiki Begiristain and the rest of the Barça party. All together they posed for photos before getting on to the waiting coach to make the short trip into the centre of Barcelona. This evening they will parade through the streets of the city to show the fans the trophy and finish up in the Camp Nou.