Bernabeu to host 2010 Champions League final

Wembley has missed out on staging the 2010 Champions League final after UEFA awarded the showpiece game to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

The stadium, which was awarded ’elite status’ four months ago by European football’s governing body, also beat off competition from the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

A statement on Madrid’s website, www.realmadrid.com, read: “The award of this final reaffirms the presence of Real Madrid in the international institutions.”

The decision sees the Spanish club – who have won the competition more times than any other club – stage the final for the first time in 30 years.

The Bernabeu was also the site for the final of Europe’s premier club competition in 1957, 1969 and 1980 as well as the World Cup final in 1982.

Hamburg’s HSH Nordbank Arena has been chosen to host the 2010 UEFA Cup final.