TWO Linthwaite men are back in the UK after a once-in-a-lifetime VIP trip to the UEFA Europa League Final in Hamburg.
Soccer fans Neil Longbottom and Phil Taylor took in the thrilling encounter between Fulham and Atletico Madrid from two of the best seats in the impressive Hamburg Arena after winning a nationwide competition.
The all-expenses-paid experience was first prize in a competition run by Spanish car maker SEAT and the Daily Telegraph.
IT Manager Neil, 28, won the prize and took his great mate Phil, 30, who he’s known since school. And although the honorary Fulham fans were disappointed with Atletico’s extra-time winner, the trip was still one to remember.
Neil said: “We’d known we were going to be going to the final for a few weeks and so we were hoping it would be an all-British final between Fulham and Liverpool. But, unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.
“But the fact Liverpool were missing was the only mild disappointment of the whole trip as the experience was definitely one we’ll never forget.
“The atmosphere inside and outside the stadium was absolutely electric and to be able to enjoy it in such style was phenomenal.”
