Event design launch sharpens Wembley focus

The event design and final branding for the 2011 UEFA Champions League final were unveiled at a ceremony at Wembley Stadium today which marked the latest exciting step on the road to this season's showpiece match in London.

Representatives from UEFA, The Football Association (FA) and the Greater London Authority were present as the logo was unveiled at Wembley's Great Hall by final ambassador Gary Lineker, who was relishing the prospect of welcoming the world's "biggest club match".

Returning to the 'Home of Football' for the first time in the UEFA Champions League era, the final on 28 May 2011 will crown a week-long festival in England's capital celebrating the biggest date in the UEFA club calendar.

Speaking at the launch, UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti said: "Hosting the UEFA Champions League final should be a prestigious moment, but at the same time it is important that the special occasion of the final reflects something of the heritage of the country it is being played in – hence the final identity."

The event design uses the UEFA Champions League Trophy as the central element of a heraldic crest that represents London's heritage, but its contemporary styling also reflects the city's international reputation for creativity. The trophy is flanked by two lions – an emblem found on statues, ironwork and paintings across the capital – which symbolise the two teams who will battle it out to be champions of Europe.

Former England striker Lineker, who scored 25 goals at Wembley for club and country during his career, said the 'Lions of London' design "does the trick", adding: "It's fabulous the final has returned to one of the great stadiums in world football. The Champions League is a great tournament, it's must-watch football – the biggest stars play in it and the final is biggest match in the world."

The FA's general secretary Alex Horne said: "We're delighted to be hosting the final next year, it's a hugely exciting time for Wembley Stadium. Footall matches don't get much bigger and better than the UEFA Champions League final. This stadium was built to host great events like this – it's a huge moment for us and we're working to make sure it will be a truly memorable occasion."

Wembley will be staging European football's biggest club game for a record sixth time. However, the venue is barely recognisable from its last continental showpiece: the 1992 European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

With the famed twin towers having made way for an iconic arch, the new Wembley reopened in 2007 and boasts a 90,000 all-seated capacity, making it an ideal setting for one of the world's premier sporting occasions. The traditional host of the FA Cup final and England national team matches, it is staging the 56th edition of the European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

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France dazzle England at Wembley

France continued their fine recent record against England with an impressive 2-1 victory at Wembley.

Both sides included youngsters in their starting lineups with an eye to bringing through a new generation of talent ahead of UEFA EURO 2012. The home side were left to reflect on a third consecutive defeat by Les Bleus, however, after goals from Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena either side of half-time capped an excellent team display.

Laurent Blanc's side were full of vigour, with Yoann Gourcuff and Samir Nasri proving to be a constant menace, finding space and threading intricate balls beyond the hosts' defence. The visitors dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded 16 minutes in when Benzema, having played a neat one-two with Florent Malouda, drilled the ball low past Ben Foster.

England lacked rhythm and were restricted to speculative efforts from Steven Gerrard and debutant Andy Carroll which failed to trouble France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. With a trio of half-time substitutions not changing the pattern for Fabio Capello's men, it took Les Bleus ten minutes to double their advantage in the second period as Valbuena found the net with a clinical finish. The diminutive winger quickly latched on to Bacary Sagna's pinpoint cross to guide the ball past the helpless Foster.

Inspired by the lively Adam Johnson, England finally started to impose themselves late on. Gerrard twice went close, but it was substitute Peter Crouch who grabbed the consolation, neatly volleying into the roof of the net from an Ashley Young corner.

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