Newport County, Napoli, Puteolana.
Watching Napoli beat Swansea on the TV in the Europa League and seeing all the empty seats I fancied a trip. The next round against Porto was to be followed 3 days later with Fiorentina also at home. Tickets was the main problem. In Italy your name must be on the ticket. I could not access the ticket office, emails were unanswered. I contacted the London supporters branch who were keen to help but by then I had gone Viagogo again. The tickets delivered to the hotel in Naples did have our names on which is just as well as we were checked and had to show our passports at the gate..
The next issue was flights. Only Gatwick flies regularly to Naples, not ideal for North Easterners. The flight was too early to bother with a hotel so I made a detour to see Newport County, back in the big leagues again.
The next issue was flights. Only Gatwick flies regularly to Naples, not ideal for North Easterners. The flight was too early to bother with a hotel so I made a detour to see Newport County, back in the big leagues again.
Newport County v Dagenham and Redbridge. Football League 2. 19 March 2014.
The match was at the Rodney Parade stadium. There were plenty of tourist attraction road-signs but nothing for the ground. 2-1 to the Daggers.
Napoli v Porto. Europa league. 20 March 2014.
The tickets were for the North Curve Upper. The price difference between the ends and sides was huge. This meant there were empty side seats and the ends were by UK standards dangerously packed. No-one sat or seemed to take notice of seating numbers anyway. Some people were climbing fences to change areas without any steward or police stopping them. I explained to the police that I wanted to sit down so they took me out of the stadium and back in to the lower section. You cannot see the pitch from the front seats of the lower sections, so they remain empty.
2-2 after Porto had won the home game 1-0. Some really good goals. http://www.soccer-blogger.com/2014/03/20/napoli-vs-porto-2014-highlights-2-2-quaresma-goal-pandev-zapata-ghilas-video-europa-league/
2-2 after Porto had won the home game 1-0. Some really good goals. http://www.soccer-blogger.com/2014/03/20/napoli-vs-porto-2014-highlights-2-2-quaresma-goal-pandev-zapata-ghilas-video-europa-league/
Puteolana v Real Metapontino. "D" Series. 22 March 2014
A few miles west of Naples is Pozzuoli, home of U.S. Puteolana. Needing a push to end the season free entry had been advertised. Scenery, atmosphere, great goal and celebrations. 1-0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uji9N34BT7Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uji9N34BT7Y
Napoli v Fiorentina. Serie A. 23 March 2014
Tickets were for the South Curve Upper. The End was still packed but this time I had a plan and found some space in the top corner. The game was spoilt by an early sending off. 0-1.
Pompeii and Vesuvius
If you do go it is definitely worth a visit to Pompeii and Vesuvius etc.
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