La Cartuja’s race to switch from Europa League tie to Copa del Rey final | OneFootball

A scheduling blunder that initially set the Copa del Rey final for the same weekend as Seville’s Feria de Abril, then prompted a date change, has left La Cartuja facing a rapid turnaround. As soon as Betis finish their Europa League quarter-final against Sporting de Braga, crews will work through the night to switch the venue from European tie to domestic showpiece.

AS reports that preparations have been under way since early this week, with UEFA, the stadium and, above all, Betis collaborating to accelerate the change. Some areas out of the camera’s view are already wrapped with Copa del Rey final branding, even though Betis still have to play.

The last spaces to be reworked will be the press room and the teams’ dressing rooms, which will only be freed up after the European game. Additional cleaning and logistics staff have been deployed so the arena is left pristine once the tie ends.

The final will kick off less than 48 hours after the last match staged at La Cartuja, and that game could even go to extra time.

Betis accept this is not ideal for the surface to look its best, yet maintain the pitch has been excellently tended all season and will cope without problems.

Source: AS