FC COPENHAGEN
(VS NEWTOWN FC)

Date: 23.07.2015

Match: Europa League Qualifying Round 2

This second qualifying round of the Europa League presented Interopa Sport with some challenges, primarily due to the location of Newtown and lack of nearby hotel accommodation.  After consulting with our Danish travel partner, we sourced a hotel for the team located approximately 50 minutes drive from the stadium whilst the sponsors were sourced a hotel in Birmingham city centre.

The sponsors were then treated to a programme of dining and events starting with a session of Segway driving on a farm followed by lunch.  After checking in to their hotel and a short period of rest, we arranged coach transportation to a nice restaurant for dinner.  As the drive from Birmingham to Newtown was expected to take almost 2 hours, we arranged a visit and tasting at the Ludlow Brewing Company followed by a late lunch at a traditional Inn.

Upon arrival at Newtown FC, local supporters greeted our guests warmly and a 3-1 result for FC Copenhagen enabled them to progress to the next round having also won the first leg 2-0.

RSC ANDERLECHT
(VS MANCHESTER UNITED FC)

Date: 20.04.2017

Match: Europa League QF 2nd leg

Seasoned European campaigners, RSC Anderlecht once again returned to the UK for their second leg tie against Manchester United. Having drawn 1-1 at home, the match was still very much in the balance. With the team, delegation and key sponsors comfortably accommodated at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, a programme was organised for the sponsors to include a welcome lunch at the newly refurbished Grand Pacific restaurant and a memorable gala dinner at The Monastery in Gorton.

The programme continued on day 2 with a tour of Old Trafford followed by lunch in the trendy Manchester House restaurant and an afternoon introduction to the production of Three Rivers Gin including a tasting session throughout.

Following a pre-match snack back at the hotel, everyone was transported to the stadium where Anderlecht once again put on a great performance but narrowly lost on the night 2-1.

THE NETHERLANDS NATIONAL TEAM

(VS ENGLAND)

Date: 29.02.2012

Match: Friendly International

This rescheduled friendly match was originally due to be played in August 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to the London riots. Interopa Sport were instrumental in minimising the costs for cancellation with anticipation that the match would take place in the near future.

Upon receiving news of the rescheduled date, Interopa Sport set about securing accommodation with the same suppliers who had previously helped and a programme was eventually put together.  The team settled in at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel whilst the board and sponsors stayed at the nearby Hyatt Regency The Churchill. Following a ride in a private capsule on the London Eye, the sponsors enjoyed dinner at Skylon restaurant.  The following day included a guided visit to Fortnum & Mason and an exclusive pre-match meal in No. 5 Cavendish Square.

A closely fought match saw Holland eventually win 3-2 with a late goal by Arjen Robben.

BELGIUM NATIONAL TEAM
(VS WALES)

Date: 12.06.2015

Match: Euro 2016 qualification match

Cardiff City FC was the venue for this important qualifier.  The team were accommodated at the St. David’s Hotel & Spa whilst the sponsors were booked in at the former Thistle Cardiff hotel and the media at the Park Inn Cardiff.  After a warm welcome at Cardiff airport, the sponsors were transported directly to the Bayside Brasserie for dinner.

The sponsors were met on the following morning by a local guide for a tour to Penderyn Whisky distillery, preceded with a lunch at the Glancynon Inn.  An evening dinner in the beautiful Chapel 1877 restaurant ended an enjoyable day for the guests. The group took a guided walking tour with lunch at Le Monde before preparing for the match later with a finger buffet at Henry’s located just opposite to the hotel.

A Gareth Bale goal was all that separated the sides on the night.

Michiel ten Brinke, KNVB Travel, Zeist, Netherlands