Portugal ready for Champions League after subduing virus

Seen as an example for rest of Europe, Portugal successfully controlled coronavirus pandemic  and earned right to host world's most important club soccer tournament.

Portugal will take center st from Wednesday when eight of Europe's best teams start fighting for coveted Champions League title amid strict health protocols.

Thanks in part to its handling of pandemic, Portugal was chosen by UEFA to st mini-tournament in two Lisbon stiums over next two weeks. Despite country's success, re will be fans for this week's quarterfinals, next week's semifinals and Aug. 23 final.

Portugal avoided problems that hit or sourn European countries such as Italy and neighboring Spain, where kwn combined COVID-19 death toll surpassed 63,000.

re have been fewer than 2,000 registered deaths in Portugal, which took quick action when pandemic started to hit nearby countries and even though only a few cases h been reported locally.

"UEFA recognized that Portugal was safest place to host this competition, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Tuesday in a video call with international correspondents.

"All security measures have been guaranteed for players, coaches, journalists, visitors and Portuguese community in general." 

Costa ted that Portugal's past experience in hosting sporting events helped nation land Champions League. Portugal hosted inaugural Nations League Finals last year, Champions League final in Lisbon in 2014, and European Championship in 2004.

Later this year, country will hold a Formula One grand prix and a MotoGP race, both in city of Portimo.

"We are only able to host se Champions League matches because of good behavior of Portuguese people in fight against pandemic," Portuguese Football Federation president Fernando Gomes said.

" matches will be seen by hundreds of millions of people, helping to underline and reinforce positive im that Portugal has given world during a period that has been particularly difficult and demanding for everyone." 

final was originally scheduled to take place at Ataturk Olympic Stium in Istanbul. Mrid was among cities which also wanted to host reshaped mini-tournament.

Portugal, a country of 10.3 million people with an ecomy that relies heavily on tourism, saw a surge in outbreaks that raised concerns a few weeks ago and prompted return of some restrictions in some places. 

But numbers came down again recently and have been mostly under control in run-up to Champions League kckout st.

re were also concerns when Spanish club Atltico Mrid reported two positive cases in its squ ahe of its trip to Lisbon. entire team h to be tested again and club was cleared to travel only after negative results came back.

ne of or seven clubs involved in quarterfinals have reported positive tests among players.

In Lisbon, y will have to comply with UEFA's 31-p return-to-play protocols for international matches. Players will be tested before departure for a host city and a day before games. 

Anyone who has h eir a coronavirus diagsis or "any suspicious symptoms or contacts" will be subject to pulmonary function testing and, in severe cases, organ-dependent examinations." 

Costa ted Portugal was one of first soccer leagues to resume amid pandemic, and that it finished with only one player having tested positive for COVID-19.

venues in Lisbon are Benfica's Stium of Light and Sporting Lisbon's Alvale Stium. 

Im credits: AP