Germany Groundhopping July 22 - 28, 2011
With not much football happening in England during July a trip abroad is necessary. Late July is a good time to visit stadia in Germany. Champions League and Europa League qualifiers are taking place andof course there are friendlies. The Bundesliga I was not to start until August but Bundesliga II was under way.
Friday July 22 VFL Bochum v FSV Frankfurt. Bundesliga II.
VFL Bochum recently missed out on promotion losing to Borussia Monchegladbach of the Bundesliga I in a 2 leg play-off. Booked up tickets over the phone 2 weeks earlier and they were to be collected on the day. After a runaround got the tickets and just before reaching the turnstile noticed they were for Bochum v Eintracht Frankfurt which was not for another couple of months. Eventually got the tickets changed. There was an in memorium tribute to Ottokar Wüst, a former President of VFL. A late winner for the home side. 1.0.
Saturday July 23 Borussia Monchengladbach v Sunderland. Friendly.
0.0. Bramble sent off for 2 yellow cards.
Sunday July 24 Alemania Aachen v Eintracht Braunschweig. Bundesliga II.
Next to the new Tivoli stadium the old ground is still standing. A broken fence meant an opportunity to take some photos. A rainy, quiet Sunday morning added appropriate atmosphere to the empty obsolete hulk. Listening carefully you could hear the ghostly cheers and groans from long ago, and the rabbits running around the stands.
Tickets had been ordered over the internet (including becoming an Aachen member) and had successfully been posted 2 weeks earlier.
Brunswick go top of the league with a well deserved 2.0 away win.
Tickets had been ordered over the internet (including becoming an Aachen member) and had successfully been posted 2 weeks earlier.
Brunswick go top of the league with a well deserved 2.0 away win.
Monday July 25 Eintracht Frankfurt v St Pauli. Bundesliga II.
Crowd trouble last season meant many areas of the ground were closed. A ticket agency charging 3 times the price was the only way to get in. It's only money!
The Underground mozaics commemorated the recent Women's World Cup. Nice hotel next to the ground and German Football HQ.
Despite the vast unused areas and the high police presence there was little evidence of segregation inside the ground. With a well deserved lead St Pauli sat back and had to settle for a 1.1.
The Underground mozaics commemorated the recent Women's World Cup. Nice hotel next to the ground and German Football HQ.
Despite the vast unused areas and the high police presence there was little evidence of segregation inside the ground. With a well deserved lead St Pauli sat back and had to settle for a 1.1.
Wednesday July 27 Wurzburger FV v TSV Gershofen. Bayernliga.
Set within the beautiful vineyards of Wurzburg this small club still had its Ultras complete with flags and drummer. 2.0.
Thursday July 28 1.FSV Mainz v Gaz Metan Medias 3rd Qualifying round Uefa League first leg
Bought tickets on the day but not without hassle. The fanshop and ticket office are open from 9:00 each day according to the website. Arriving at the out of town stadium at 13:00 everything was closed up. A notice explained that as it was a match day the ticket office would not open until 15:00!
Uefa's rule not to allow fans to stand meant parts of the ground were closed. The Ultras positioned themselves in the seats behind a goal. As they were constantly standing, everyone else had to stand!
A comfortable one goal lead was squandered late on. 1.1.
Uefa's rule not to allow fans to stand meant parts of the ground were closed. The Ultras positioned themselves in the seats behind a goal. As they were constantly standing, everyone else had to stand!
A comfortable one goal lead was squandered late on. 1.1.