Europa League Final comes to Stockholm

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Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography

The last two year’s I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph the UEFA Champions League Final, first in Berlin and then in Milano. This year I was fortunate enough to get the UEFA Europa League Final right in my backyard at Friends Arena. Friends Arena first opened in 2012 and since it’s opening the only major UEFA event it held was the final of the Women’s Euro in 2013. Unfortunately for us in Stockholm the Europa League final is probably the best that Friends Arena can hope for as it is too small to host a Champions League final. UEFA even snubbed Friends Arena when selecting cities for the Euro 2020 tournament.

Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography

As expected the atmosphere at this game was a little more somber than usual, with the horrible terror attack of Manchester still weighting on everyone’s mind. Going into the game I felt that Manchester United would easily walk away with this trophy and my intuition was correct. I placed myself on the long side of the pitch on the end closer to Manchester United’s fans. This way I would most likely have United attacking towards me in the second. What I did not know when I selected my place was that I more or less sat in front of Paul Pogba’s family. My position paid off wonders as Pogba and the team celebrated almost directly infront of me on multiple occasions.

With that I put another final on my belt. Next up for me is working with the UFC this weekend as Alexander Gustafsson returns to action in the octagon.

Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography
Europa League Final comes to Stockholm - Michael Campanella Photography