WELCOME TO THE SEMI-FINALS
CHAMPIONS
LEAGUE
Ajax Amsterdam take on
Panathinaikos, and Juventus Turin
face Nantes in the semi-finals of the
1995/96 UEFA Champions League.
Two of the clubs are household
names - the only two to have won all
three UEFA club competitions. Their
opponents are newcomers to the
European elite, and this mixture of the
old and the new once again demon
strates the vitality of European
football.
Both matches promise to provide
plenty of excitement. Will the old-
stagers confirm their strength, or will
have to give way to two clubs who
are perhaps not as prestigious in
name, but who are certainly no less
ambitious? In my capacity as
President of UEFA, I would like to
congratulate the four semi-finalists
who have reached this stage of the
competition by defeating renowned
and gallant opposition. While there
can obviously be only one winner in a
match, I hope that all four teams will
be able to express their skills to the
full. We all know that there in much at
stake; nevertheless, I appeal to the
teams to conduct themselves in a
sportsmanlike manner, to ensure
memorable nights of football for the
spectators in the stadia, as well as
the millions of television viewers.
I look forward to enjoying the semi
finals with them, and I would like
thank the representatives of the
media who have been following this
season's UEFA Champions League
for their contribution to the resounding
success of the competition.
I hope you all enjoy tonight's action!
Lennart Johansson
President of UEFA
