Unparalleled Innovative Technology & Analysis

January 29th, 2008, Castrol, the global motor lubes maker, official sponsor of Euro 2008™, will add real value to the championship by bringing to its fans a performance analysis index for players and teams through its unparalleled innovative website www.castrolindex.com, with analysis and commentary by football legends like Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger, one of the most successful football managers in the history of Arsenal and a hugely popular English Premier League protagonist, decided to unite Castrol's vast experience and his knowledge to become the Ambassador of Castrol's Euro 2008 sponsorship to make vital player and team performance statistics available for the first time to millions of football fans worldwide.

The Castrol Performance Index will gather match data that can instantly convey the area covered by a player or a team, the speed of the ball or how substitutions can alter the shape of a game which will be presented exclusively on the website.

Wenger said: "Castrol has a long history of analysing and improving lubricant technology to improve vehicle performance. It's because of this vast experience that I believe they can bring their knowledge to Euro 2008 through the Castrol Index"

"As UEFA Euro 2008™ progresses the Castrol Performance Index will grow to become a comprehensive database of team and player statistics and analysis. Then as the finals approach, Castrol will be adding a tracking system to record everything that happens on the pitch from shots on goal to pass completion to the speed of individual players. You'll be able to look at player and team performance in a variety of different ways before, during and after matches," he continues.

The raw data used by UEFA's tracking system, will be captured using precision equipment more commonly used in missile technology. Sets of 16 aerial cameras will be located at each of Euro 2008™ football stadiums in Austria and Switzerland and focus on key players, the referee or ball during each match.

"This is Castrol's biggest sponsorship deal in the company's 100-year history," said Mohammed Samir, Castrol Marketing Controller Middle East.

"Someone as cutting edge as Wenger has been using science and analysis in football management for many years making him the ideal brand Ambassador for Castrol's Euro 2008 commitment. And with performance data being such an important tool in modern coaching assessment techniques, the Castrol Performance Index and the famous Frenchman form a win-win combination for football fans worldwide," Mohammed Samir said.

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About Castrol
Castrol have long been associated with the world of sports UEFA EURO 2008™ provides a showcase to project the brands' values of Performance, Pride and Passion that it shares with football.

Castrol's world class expertise and engine oil technology means it is recommended by the worlds leading car manufacturers, commended by experts and trusted by over 100 million customers. Built on a history of technical innovation over the past 100 years, no other motor oil company or sponsor throughout history has displayed a stronger or more successful commitment to motoring. Castrol drivers and cars have been at the forefront of motor sport and record-breaking competition for more than 75 years. Castrol is part of BP and is the market and technical leader for specialized industrial and car engine oil lubricants (http://www.castrol.com) for the retail consumer. Castrol is the market leader in marine lubricants and a key player in the aviation and commercial vehicles market. It is also the third largest marketer of lubricants worldwide.

About UEFA EURO 2008™
On 7 June 2008, UEFA EURO 2008 begins with the opening European Football Championship match in Basel.  It will be by far the largest sports event that has ever taken place in Austria and Switzerland where eight cities - four in Austria and four in Switzerland - will host the EURO final-round matches.  UEFA EURO 2008™ is anticipated to be one of the most watched sporting events for 2008.  The UEFA EURO 2004™ final tournament broke all records with 7.9 billion TV viewers in total, more than 150 million live viewers for each of the 31 matches.  The event has been held consistently every four years since 1960.  Sixteen teams will compete for the UEFA EURO 2008™ football tournament from across Europe.  www.uefa.com 

For further information please contact:
Vicki Morley, Account Director,
GolinHarris,
Dubai: +971 50 455 7149

Cynthia Darwish,
Senior Account Executive,
GolinHarris,
Dubai: +971 50 216 3352

© Press Release 2008