UEFA takes over De Grolsch Veste for Nations League: ‘Ah, week of adjustment’

Not a mouse enters De Grolsch Veste unseen these days. For a while, the Twente club is completely in the powerful but benevolent grip of UEFA. “Fortunately, I am still allowed inside,” FC Twente general manager Paul van der Kraan jokingly told RTV Oost.

He therefore made all his appointments this week outside the door of the FC Twente Stadium, as the stadium is called this week. “There is very strict control. Oh well, just a week of adjustment. Then it’s over again. For us it’s not an issue at all,” said the down-to-earth director.

No point or no point, it’s a chore of sorts. All sponsor names and banners must go. Even the large neon letters of the beer sponsor will not adorn the facade in the coming days The red must give way to UEFA blue, fully Nations League-proof.

The down-to-earth Pentecostals do think it’s a slight exaggeration. “Yes, maybe so. But something is going to happen here, huh,” said one of the stewards. With 300 million viewers expected, the Nations League is the region’s biggest ever television event.

“It’s really huge, when you see what’s going on here. Unbelievable,” stated Van der Kraan. The preparations are very thorough. UEFA already visited several times with a large delegation. Every detail was checked to perfection. Everything to bring the clash between Spain and Italy well into countless living rooms.

And the stakes are indeed high. The stakes are a ticket to the Nations League final, Sunday at De Kuip. With Croatia as opponent. Enschede will be the scene of the consolation final on the same day.

While the banners, life-size banners and posters will be taken down again Monday morning, the entry of the Nations League will be felt even afterward. “The stadium has received a major upgrade. We now meet all the requirements to host a Conference League final, for example,” said Van der Kraan.

In short, FC Twente is benefiting from the key loan. “We cultivate a lot of goodwill with this,” believes Van der Kraan, who reveals that FC Twente’s finance department can also take heart. “UEFA pays two weeks’ rent for our stadium. And the proceeds from catering are also for us. The club certainly keeps something from this.”