Austrian authorities will mobilize 2,500 army troops and deploy an extra 1,200 police officers to secure the Austrian capital of Vienna for the European Championship final today.

Vienna police spokesman Walter Hladik said Saturday the security presence will be highly visible at Ernst Happel Stadium, as well as at the city's main downtown public viewing area and other fan zones, to ensure the safety of supporters and foreign dignitaries watching Germany play Spain.

Officials said 40,000 fans from Germany and another 15,000 from Spain are expected to converge on Vienna.

VIP guests will include Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia; Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero; German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Authorities said Austria's air force will be on alert to secure the alpine nation's air space during the final, and about 400 counterterrorism specialists trained in handling nuclear, chemical and biological threats also will be deployed.

As they have throughout the tournament, security guards will confiscate glass bottles, weapons and other banned items from supporters as they enter the stadium and fan zones, Hladik said.

Police have reported only sporadic and relatively minor incidents during Euro 2008, which began on June 7, and there has been no significant violence or injuries.

Reflecting the light mood, authorities on Saturday released a list of the oddball items that have turned up at Vienna's main lost-and-found center, including a hamster, a wheelchair and a glass eye.

The list also mentioned some of the more unusual things fans have tried to take into the stadium, including "a very long, very dry fish on a stick" that a Russian fan was carrying.

PLATINI'S VIEW: UEFA president Michel Platini said Saturday that Real Madrid's courtship of Cristiano Ronaldo is normal, and he dismissed Manchester United complaints that the Spanish powerhouse was out of line for seeking to sign the superstar.

"Big clubs want to have the best players, and as Ronaldo is considered to be one of the best, if not the best player, it's normal," Platini said on the eve of the Euro 2008 final. "Players move from club to club, and I can understand that Real Madrid would like to get Ronaldo."

Manchester United vowed to block Ronaldo's move to Spain after the Portugal winger stated his desire to leave Old Trafford. Ronaldo refused to discuss his future during the monthlong European Championship.

After Portugal was beaten by Germany in the quarterfinals on June 19, he said he would make a decision within days but hasn't made a public announcement.

FRIENDSHIP ON HOLD FOR NOW: Friendship will have to be set aside Sunday when Germany defender Christoph Metzelder faces Real Madrid teammates Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos in the European Championship final against Spain.

"A final is naturally something very unique, but this time I'll be up against two teammates," Metzelder said. "We have sent each other our congratulations on reaching the final and we really get on well, but that is something that will be put on ice for 90 minutes on Sunday. Then everyone will be doing his best for his country and to win the title."

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