Excitement and heightened security as Champions League arrives at Girona

After the hugely successful season last year for Girona FC, the Catalan team gets ready to step into the Champions League for their first European game at home on Tuesday evening. 

There is huge excitement in the city for the massive achievement that simply hosting this game represents. As the blanc-i-vermells prepare to play against Dutch side Feyenoord in Montilivi, the town is also getting ready to receive their supporters.

For the first time, the security measures will affect the city center of Girona, apart from the surroundings of the stadium.

The councilor of security in Girona, Sílvia Aliu, explained that 'maximum' measures have been taken up by the local police and the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra. 

Aliu informed that only 500 of all the Feyenoord supporters that have arrived to Girona have a ticket for the match. "There is a considerable amount of supporters, we do not know the exact number, that have come to the Catalan city but will not be in the stadium," the councilor said.

A lot of these fans will directly go to the coastal town of Lloret de Mar, where there is a private fan zone event, which also required preventative security measures.

In Girona's old town, police presence has been reinforced in the area between Plaça Independència and Plaça Catalunya.

Landmarks like the Lleona statue and the statue at Plaça Independència have been enclosed with fences, and bars have been asked to serve drinks with reusable cups without glass. 

In addition, the University of Girona recommended their lecturers in the Montilivi campus to hold classes online on Wednesday to avoid problems with the match.