Go Ahead Eagles add a new chapter to their rich club history tonight as they kick off in the Europa League against FCSB from Romania. De Adelaarshorst stadium did not fully meet the strict UEFA requirements, so in the past period, work has been done to make the 1920 stadium 'Europa-proof' on all fronts.

Mixed zone in tent next to the stadium

General director Jan Willem van Dop oversaw the process: 'If you go through that whole list, where you all have to think about... Especially in the field of media. That's really not normal, I was amazed.' For example, take the mixed zone, where interviews are conducted. We usually use the player tunnel for this in the competition, but that's never enough in Europe. So we've now set up a tent outside the stadium.

Profiting

Furthermore, Go Ahead made an adjustment to the away section, which will also benefit many supporters from other Dutch clubs. We had an away section where not every seat had a view of the entire playing field. This was due to two lexan walls that we had standing there, which were blinded. The UEFA said: that's not allowed. Van Dop: 'So we've now made it UEFA-proof, with one lexan wall, so you have a full view of the playing field from the away section. And that's how it should be, I think.'

UEFA approves atmosphere action

Van Dop never had any stress ('if your organization is good, then it's not a problem') and the biggest organizational issues have now been resolved. The focus can be on the more fun things, like atmosphere actions from the supporters. They will unveil a large cloth tonight when Go Ahead Eagles return to Europe. What kind of artwork is on it is still a surprise for the club management of the Deventer team, but the UEFA has already looked at the cloth and given its approval.