Bangkok--3 Jul--Carlsberg
Italian Fan Presents the Carlsberg Man of the Match Award to Andr?s Iniesta at UEFA EURO 2012? Final
Lino De Marchi from Italy fulfilled a lifelong dream, as he presented Spanish star, Andr?s Iniesta, with his Carlsberg Man of the Match Award after the Spain v Italy UEFA EURO 2012? final in Kiev, Ukraine. The Spanish team was victorious on the big night, lifting the Henri Delaunay Cup in front of thousands of ecstatic fans in the Olympic Stadium.
Lino had been chosen to present the Carlsberg Man of the Match Award at the UEFA EURO 2012? final after being crowned the Carlsberg Fan Challenge winner by Carlsberg ambassador Peter Schmeichel. Carlsberg, now in its seventh consecutive European Championships tournament sponsorship, has been recognising the courage and passion in those fans willing to show the world what they would do to be at UEFA EURO 2012?, by helping them get closer to the action.
Thousands of players have stepped up over the last six months to take part in a series of challenges on Carlsberg’s Facebook page. The three finalists from Croatia, Italy and Portugal all travelled to Warsaw to take part in a grand final event to show their passion and step up to prove they have what it takes to present the Carlsberg Man of the Match Award at the UEFA EURO 2012? final. After the day of challenges, Lino was declared the winner and witnessed Italy secure their place in the final after emerging victorious from their semi-final match against Germany — a dream come true for the Italy and FC Roma fan. From Warsaw he travelled directly to Kiev, to prepare for his big moment.
A delighted Lino after the presentation said, “I have made it to the past three EURO tournaments through winning competitions but this trip with Carlsberg has definitely been the best! If Italy could have won tonight this would definitely have been the best day of my life.”
Andr?s Iniesta was delighted to have been chosen as the Carlsberg Man of the Match, by fans as well as UEFA Legends Davor Suker and Christian Karembeu. Iniesta said, "It's very nice to have this award but it's especially great to be champions again. Today the team played a great match. All the players were at their best and we're delighted; that was essential. We moved the ball around very fast. We were aggressive in possession. We scored the first two goals, and then after that they had to play with only ten men which made it easier for us.”
For video footage of the Carlsberg Man of the Match award presentation after each UEFA EURO 2012?match, please visit uefa.com.