They have already happened: Bernese players who have lifted a European football trophy. Nicole Stadelmann held the most coveted trophy in club football in her hands: The Uefa Champions League Cup, also known as the Henkelpott. She may not have won the Champions League, but her company was involved in the production of the trophy. She is Managing Director of Bijouterie Stadelmann and is the third generation to run the family business.
How is it that a Bernese jewelry company produces the most important trophy in European or even world club football? UEFA had its headquarters in Bern at the time. As a result, Bijouterie Stadelmann received a number of orders from the European Football Association, for example for engraving winners' names or honorary prizes for members.
In 1967, the then UEFA Secretary General Hans Bangerter also invited Jürg Stadelmann to submit a design for a new trophy. "It was a project competition," says Nicole Stadelmann. Jürg Stadelmann, Nicole Stadelmann's father, won the competition.
Four full-size Champions League trophies and several smaller replicas were produced at Stadelmann. In the past, the trophy became the property of the winning team after three victories. Today, five wins are required. For the treasure chests of Real Madrid and AC Milan, Stadelmann AG produced one replica each, reduced in size to 80 percent. Sometimes the goldsmiths also had to remove dents or scratches that the coveted piece had picked up in the excitement of victory.
The last trophy produced in Bern went to Liverpool FC in 2005. After that, Bijouterie Stadelmann was asked by Uefa to offer a new one. However, the contract was awarded to another company. "The handles are now slightly different to my father's design," says Nicole Stadelmann. As a layperson, however, you would hardly notice the subtle difference.
Many people would not believe that our jewelry store in Bern is responsible for this large trophy. The main business is, of course, homemade jewelry. But Stadelmann's customers also include the Swiss Football Association and the World Show Jumping Association.
It is highly unlikely that her jewelry shop will soon be producing another Champions League trophy. "The strong franc alone makes us more expensive than our foreign competitors." In addition, Swiss production standards are higher and therefore more expensive. "But of course we would be delighted if we were allowed to work for UEFA again."
The Bernese jewelry store on Marktgasse didn't make the big time with the world-famous trophy. "We had to cede the rights to the trophy to UEFA back in 1967," says the managing director. Special permission from the European Football Association was required for each individual replica. "Once, a father wanted to give his son a very small Champions League trophy as a birthday present," recalls Nicole Stadelmann. This also required official approval from UEFA.
Source: October 3, 2012 06:33 by Ralph Heiniger, (Berner Zeitung)
In our Trouvaille you will find used jewelry as well as liquidation goods from suppliers at interesting prices. You also have the opportunity to sell your jewelry on consignment. We are also happy to provide you with other information about our store at the back of Marktgasse 29.
