World record

Liverpool Echo, 19 May 2005 World record By Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL'S Champions League Cup final against AC Milan will be watched by a world record 150m people.

The figure is the highest for a Champions League match, beating the previous record of 135m when AC Milan took on Juventus in the 2003 final.

Uefa have sold the rights to the match to a record 233 countries - allowing Liverpool fans across the globe to see the game.

A Uefa spokesman said: "The Champions League is becoming increasingly popular every year.

"We are delighted to confirm that the number of people who will see this year's final will exceed previous records, as will the number of countries where the match will be shown."

Countries which have bought the rights include Afghanistan, Chad, Swaziland, Belize, the Cayman Islands and Mongolia.

A total of 53 countries will screen the game in Africa, 58 in the Americas, 55 in Europe, 32 in Asia, 13 in the Middle East and 22 in Oceania.

Fans' parties have been organised in a number of places, with one of the biggest to be held in Malaysia.

There are an estimated 100,000 Liverpool supporters in Malaysia and the capital Kuala Lumpur is expected to become a sea of red when the match kicks off at 2.45am local time.

Kuala Lumpur-based Liverpool fan Mark Lee is organising an event in the capital on behalf of Liverpool's club sponsors Carlsberg and he is looking forward to a great night.

He said: "We are planning to have this event in Sri Hartamas, which is one of the most popular entertainment outlets in Kuala Lumpur.

"There is an official Liverpool supporters club here and there are also a number of unofficial Liverpool pubs, where Reds fans normally cheer their team on.

"The pbuttion is amazing in some of these pubs. Fans weep openly when we lose."

most Australian cities from Brisbane to Sydney putting on special screenings in the small hours.

Michael O'Dowd emigrated to Sydney from Kirkdale 15 years ago. Unable to get his hands on a precious ticket for the final in Istanbul, he will be joining hundreds of other Reds at Cheers bar in George Street, Sydney.

He said: "We all watched the semi-final against Chelsea in Cheers and the atmosphere was electric. It seemed like the whole place had been taken over by Scousers.

"Seeing as we won that one, we'll all be heading back there again because it could be a lucky omen."

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans serving with the British Army in Iraq will also be able to see the final thanks to a specially set-up satellite link-up.

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