Spanish landing in Bucharest for UEFA final: Old Town crowded, some roads blocked before game

While it is still uncertain how many Spanish football supporters of the two teams, Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid, arrived in Bucharest to attend the UEFA Europa League final, it's certain that the Romanian city has been 'invaded' by Spaniards, and the authorities have taken measures to smooth things out before the game.

Scheduled to start at 21:45 tonight at Romania's National Arena, the football match triggered authorities to call a day off for students and close roads in different parts of the city. Most of the roads closed are near the National Arena, and near the two fan zones that have been created for the supporters of the two Spanish teams. One fan zone is in Constitutiei Square – in front of the People's Palace, for Athletic Bilbao supporters, and the other in George Enescu Square, in front of the Romanian Athenaeum, for the other team's fans. Traffic will be closed on Unirii boulevard from the People's Palace to Unirii Square and on CA Rosetti, George Enescu, Franklin and Nicolae Golescu St. close to Magheru boulevard. The Bucharest Public Transport company RATB has increased the number of buses serving the National Arena area while metro company Metrorex has extended its schedule until 01,00 hours. Authorities have sent as many as 5,500 policemen and gendarmes on the streets before the game. Authorities and business owners were counting on 30,000 foreigners arriving in Bucharest for the final, but estimations of the actual number vary between 15,000 and 40,000 people. Spanish fans started arriving with charter flights yesterday, but most of them will land in Bucharest today. Prince Felipe of Spain, the son of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia, is also expected in Bucharest to attend the final. All tickets for the match were sold, but around the stadium ticket touts are selling them for as much as ten times their face value. However, the organizers warn that tickets are nominal and for those bought from third parties - other than the official selling points - the seller would have to email the name of the buyer to the organizers, as each ticket will be checked against ID upon entry to the National Arena. Hotel rooms in the Romanian capital are booked and the Old Town area, usually crowded, has been further invaded by groups of supporters. The UEFA final match will be broadcast live by Romanian TV station ProTV. editor@romania-insider.com