More moments to savour for tifosi

Supporters of AC Milan had a fabulous time last week seeing Carlo Ancelotti's players in action here for a winter training camp besides other social activities that the 'tifosi Rossoneri' were able to attend.

Most of them were enthusiastic as, before, they had only seen the vast array of star players at the club on TV.

But, in Malta, the organisers allowed the fans to attend training sessions at Ta' Qali and even the special ones conducted on sand at Golden Bay.

Michele Peresso Group, operators of Eurosport, will be providing more exciting moments for Italian football lovers tomorrow.

On Friday, it was announced that AC Milan had accepted the Peresso Group invitation for some of the players and delegates to call at their stores in Birkirkara for a photo session and a reception with the management and a group of selected fans.

Managing Director Emanuel Peresso told reporters that the initiative was made possible thanks to Adidas with the full co-operation of Birkirkara FC.

In Malta, the Peresso Group are the exclusive distributors for Adidas, AC Milan's sponsors.

"This building has already hosted some legendary sporting personalities through promotion activities for Adidas," Peresso said.

"We welcomed Karl Heinz Rumenigge, today a top Bayern Munich official, and tennis legend Ilie Nastase was also here.

"Now, we have the distinguished honour of having the Milan players at our stores. We also have to compliment Birkirkara FC for their challenging initiative to bring to our shores a great club such as AC Milan."

The enthusiasm shown by Milan fans since last Tuesday was beyond expectation. So much so that the organisers are expecting a bumper crowd for Tuesday's friendly between Milan and Birkirkara at the National Stadium where the capacity seating is 17,400.

Besides preparing special souvenir mementos and trophies for both teams to be presented on Tuesday, Eurosport were also responsible for the sale of a good number of match tickets, partly through promotion campaigns for their customers.

"I am pleased to announce that all allocated tickets for us were sold out in two days," Peresso said. "No doubt, there is a great interest for this game."

Peresso Group director, Maria Christina Peresso, said there will be a photo session with Milan players between 5.45 and 6.45 p.m. and a private function to follow.

It is planned that some 300 persons will enter the Eurosport stores by invitation. A sales promotion is connected to this event whereby consumers will have to buy Lm50 and over of Adidas products from various Peresso Group outlets and in return they will receive an entrance ticket for tomorrow's event.

Ms Peresso added that her firm had printed 10,000 special AC Milan sign cards of all current players and coach.

"These will be a present to all those visiting Eurosport outlets with no obligation to buy," she said.