Uefa praises FAI and local organisers for "resounding success" of Europa final

Uefa has thanked the FAI and the event organisers for Wednesday’s Europa League final in Dublin passing off successfully and without any adverse incidents.

Aviva Stadium, or Dublin Arena as was retitled due to Uefa’s commercial clash, drew a capacity 51,000 crowd for the decider between Atalanta BC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, which the Italians won 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from London-born winger Ademola Lookman.

As a spectacle, Dublin and Ireland delivered in spades. A heavy security presence was noticeable, including police visiting from Italy and Germany to assist, but no arrests were reported. Free public transport for ticket-holders smoothed the flow of access in an orderly fashion to and from the fixture.

The event was considered a test run for Euro 2008, when the venue will host at least games.

“Uefa would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Atalanta BC, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and all the fans who participated in last night’s Europa League final in Dublin,” the European body said in a statement issued today.

“Your passion and enthusiasm created a brilliant atmosphere, making the event truly unforgettable.

“Special thanks go to the Football Association of Ireland, local authorities, and all the services participating in the match organisation. Your hard work and dedication were instrumental in making everybody feel safe and welcome.

“We are also pleased to confirm that match officials noted no single incident throughout the event, which is a testament to the sportsmanship and respect shown by all attendees.

“Uefa remains committed to providing the best possible experience for football fans, and your unwavering support plays a crucial role in achieving that goal. Thank you for making the 2024 Europa League final a