The Champions League Men Final Four 2023/2024: Interview with Nicolas Barrois from host club 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
Mr. Barrois, how did it come about that the first Final Four in the history of the Champions League will take place in Saarbrücken?
Barrois: The answer to that is actually totally crazy. In the pre-Olympic season, we thought about how we could combine club and individual competitions, even though the schedule was extremely tight. The clubs then approached the European federation and presented the idea of a final four, which would certainly also generate a high level of spectator interest. This idea was then accepted and the organization was officially put out to tender to associations, clubs and agencies. In cooperation with the Saarland state government, we then submitted a bid in Saarbrücken and were awarded the contract.
As team manager of 1. FC Saarbrücken Table Tennis, you are used to organizing home matches in the TTBL, the cup and the Champions League. What additional challenges does a Final Four in the Champions League bring with it?
Barrois: The home matches are now standard for us with our well-coordinated team and our regular hall. Organizing an event like this is something else. It's a bigger event hall, new safety regulations and a higher number of spectators. At a normal home game, for example, we have 50-100 VIP guests, but here there will be 250-300 VIP guests per day. There are completely different challenges to overcome from A to Z, right down to the smallest detail. It's a mammoth task, for which we are dependent on external helpers in addition to our team, but fortunately we have found them.
When planning a major two-day event like this, where do you start and where do you end?
Barrois: Basically, you start by looking for a hall (laughs). We were very grateful that the Saarlandhalle was offered to us on various dates and that we were able to agree on the Easter weekend. The whole organization around the hall is also the biggest task. At the very end there is the allocation of parking spaces, press accreditation and the like. All in all, it's a huge amount of work that has to be done for an event like this.
In addition to your role as head of organization for the Final Four and team manager at 1. FC Saarbrücken, you also work for a major German table tennis manufacturer. How much time do you currently have left for your private life?
Barrois: The last six to eight months have been extremely exhausting. We were awarded the contract for the Champions League Final Four in May or June. Since August, intensive planning has been running parallel to our normal working day. With countless meetings, it's already a 24-hour job. Fortunately, I have an understanding partner who also comes from a sporting background and not only supports me from the side, but is also actively involved in the events. I can really count myself lucky here. But I think we're also both happy when the award ceremony and press conference are over and all the spectators have hopefully gone home happy (laughs).
How are advance ticket sales going so far and how many spectators are you expecting?
Barrois: We knew that advance ticket sales could be difficult with the date on the Easter weekend. Of course, we also received feedback that the public holidays are not ideal for the event. We still wanted to give it a try due to the flood of dates with the other tournaments and competitions. Our target is 2,000 spectators per day. We are currently only just below that in advance sales. Of course, we want to go all out and encourage people to buy tickets. The draw has been made and we can look forward to some exciting matches. We are firmly convinced that the spectators will play their part in making it a great event.
Where can tickets still be purchased and will there be a box office?
Barrois: Tickets are available via the online ticket store of 1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis. In principle, the hall is designed for 3,500 spectators. However, we will certainly not reach this number. We will therefore also open a box office on the day and are therefore happy to welcome any spectators who spontaneously find their way into the hall at short notice and want to celebrate this table tennis festival with us.
Source: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT