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.