WELSH rugby chief Glanmor Griffiths has re-affirmed Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as the best in the world following the triumphant staging of two cup finals over one weekend.

"I have absolutely no doubt that for the FA Cup final we created an atmosphere not known anywhere in the world," he said.

And following all the criticism of the stadium pitch, he added: "I also think we have the finest pitch in the UK."

Griffiths said there was no truth in stories the FA would taken future Cup finals to Twickenham. "We have a five year deal," he said.

And he believed the stadium would provide a major European final in two to three years, as well as other major events.

"I think we got things almost perfect this weekend, but we are not complacent. There are still things we can put right in time for the Charity Shield (Man Utd v Liverpool) in August."

Griffiths' views followed a glowing recommendation from Liverpool goal hero Michael Owen.

Owen, whose 83rd and 88th minute goals handed the Merseysiders a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, praised the Millennium Stadium pitch which was re-laid just days before the final.

The third new surface was installed after the Football Association described the old one as "unsuitable to host a FA Cup final" two weeks ago.

But Owen gave the Millennium surface a five-star rating. "The pitch was very good," declared Owen who scored a glorious winner. "It was very hot out there but the surface was as good as I've played on all season if not the best I've played on."