Sport - Football

Largescale security

VIENNA: Austrian authorities will mobilise 2,500 army troops and deploy an extra 1,200 police officers to secure the Austrian capital for the European Championship final on Sunday.

Vienna police spokesman Walter Hladik said on Saturday that authorities would be highly visible at Ernst Happel Stadium, as well as at the city’s main downtown public viewing area and other fan zones to ensure the safety of supporters and foreign dignitaries watching Germany and Spain battle for the Euro 2008 title.

Officials said 40,000 fans from Germany and another 15,000 from Spain are expected to converge on Vienna.

VIP guests will include Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Authorities said Austria’s air force will be on alert to secure the alpine nation’s airspace during the final.

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