New Champions League trophy to be unveiled in Paris

PARIS, Mar 7 (Reuters) A new UEFA Champions League trophy will be unveiled at the traditional handover ceremony in Paris on Friday as the competition celebrates its 50th year.

The silverware -- engraved with the names of all the previous winners -- will be presented by former Real Madrid winger Francisco 'Paco' Gento and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson.

Olsson will hand it to the Lord Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, for public display until this season's final at the Stade de France on May 17, UEFA said on its website yesterday.

Gento was a member of the great Real side that became the first team to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup. It was the first of the Spanish side's nine triumphs.

Liverpool were allowed to kee the previous trophy permanently after they won the title for a fifth time with a thrilling comeback win over AC Milan last season.

The silverware in Liverpool's possession was the fifth model to be cast in the competition's history.

The original was awarded to Real following their sixth victory in 1966. Multiple winners AC Milan (six), Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam (both four) own the other trophies.

The ceremony will take place at 1630 hrs ist on Friday and will be followed by the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of this season's Champins League competition.

REUTERS PDS RK0940