FINNISH STATE GAMBLING MONOPOLY RENEWS SPANISH SOCCER DEAL

Atletico De Madrid strip sponsorship extended by a further year
 
The Finnish gambling monopoly Alands Penningautomatforening (PAF) has signed a one year extension to its sponsorship agreement with Spanish football club Atletico De Madrid.
 
PAF launched Apuestasrojiblancas.com, the official online gaming site for the La Liga team, last year.
 
“The fact that we are extending the contract for another year is proof of a long and successful partnership,” said Inger Holmstrom, public relations director for PAF.
 
The deal will see star players Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero visit Stockholm next month prior to the start of the Spanish league season for promotional activities, while PAF will be empowered to offer match tickets, VIP packages and access to star players such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup duo.
 
“Extending our partnership means that our customers in all markets will be able to win football trips to Madrid, meet some of the club’s star players and sit in the best possible seats at the Vicente Calderon Stadium to see Atletico De Madrid play against other major clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona,” said Albin Tiusanen, head of Spanish activities at PAF.
 
Atletico De Madrid is one of the most successful teams in the history of Spanish football having won the league and Copa Del Rey on nine occasions, including the double in 1996. It has also been triumphant in Europe, taking home the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962, the Intercontinental Cup in 1975 and the UEFA Europa League title last season.
 
“We were convinced that the relationship between PAF and Atletico De Madrid was going to be more than promising and it was,” said Enrique Cerezo, president for Atletico De Madrid.