More than 20,000 fans are in town watch the final between Italy’s Atalanta and Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Many Leverkusen fans wearing red who travelled from Germany made their way to Aviva Stadium, dubbed the Dublin Arena for the night.
Father and son, Dirk and Julian Roitzheim, from Duisburg in Germany were feeling both “excited and nervous” ahead of the big match for Leverkusen.
“It’s a very big match. We can win the season. We are very excited, hopefully we win,” Julian said, adding that himself and his dad want to see a 3-1 victory.
Julian and Dirk said they are “very proud of the team” as Leverkusen has been undefeated this season.
Jamie Gaffney (10) and granddad Danny Barton from Dublin outside the Aviva stadium, Dublin Ireland ahead of the Europa League Final. Pic Sam Boal/Collins Photos
The family also has some travel plans after the match as it is their first time visiting Ireland.
“All in all, [Dublin] is a good place for a final,” Julian said.
His father Dirk added: “We rent the car here after this play, we go 30km outside of Dublin.”
Another group of fans spotted in red colours are brothers from Leverkusen.
Filip, Ivan, and Marko Marsic from Leverkusen and their friend Jure Bekavac were all feeling “excited” ahead of the match and hopeful for a big win for Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen fans on their way to the ground before the UEFA Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
“We’re taking the trophy for sure,” Ivan said, adding it’s an “indescribable” feeling to see their team undefeated this season.
The Leverkusen natives said they are hopeful for a 3-1 score tonight.
“We won everything, we are unbeaten,” Marko said, as he also praised Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso as a “living legend”.
Nadine from Burbach in Germany, who also travelled to Dublin for the final game, has been a Leverkusen fan for 22 years.
“Excited and nervous a little bit but I think we will win today so I’m ‘positive nervous’,” she said, hoping the match will end with a 3-2 score for her team.
“I can’t believe it until now – we won the championship in our country and now we are here in the final so it’s very unreal.”
She added that her journey to Dublin went well.
Fan Zone in Dublin Castle ahead of the Europa League Final
“It was really good. Many people helped us. It’s very good organised,” she said.
There were also many Atalanta fans in blue tonight making their way to the match.
Luca Adduci is originally from Bergamo, Italy, and has been living in Ireland for 14 years.
Atalanta fans making their way to the stadium ahead of UEFA Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
“I’m super excited. I still can’t believe it because Atalanta being in the final of the European Cup was just a dream,” he said.
“The absurd is that I’m living in Dublin, and for [Atalanta’s] first time they bring the final to Dublin.
“I hope we’re going to win, I hope it’s going to be the first match [Leverkusen] will lose,” Mr Adduci said.
Many Irish fans were also spotted wearing red or blue.
Darragh Raethorne from Co Kildare is “buzzing” to be at Aviva Stadium to cheer on Atalanta who is in the UEFA Europa League final for the first time.
Bayer Leverkusen fans on their way to the ground before the UEFA Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
“I’m a Liverpool fan but Atalanta is my team – I followed them since 2018 so I’m very excited to see Atalanta play,” he said.
“I hope for 2-2, go to penalties. If it goes to penalties, I’d love that. That would be a big game for me.
“I’ve seen them in the Champions League two or three years ago, and they were good. To see them play is just buzzing for me. I’m buzzing, I’m ready to go in.”