TOPIC: Curle on move?

Richard Archer wrote: It depends on what you want from an atmosphere Richard... I doubt you'd like Roma given your comments... it's not your old fashioned hardcore atmosphere that you find in some of the games you mentioned.... I was commenting on the opposite really... that it has moved away from the Ultra dominated crap that traditionally surrounded the Italian game. It is a fabulous family atmosphere and I don't think I've ever seen as many kids and women at a game in my life. I very much doubt that is what you look for in a game though. I have mates who travel all over Europe going to unfashionable grounds in Germany and Poland etc. and it is like a bit of a cult club... it's somehow cooler if you say you went to some random German third tier game than say you enjoyed Dortmund. It's like banging on about a band's early material and then when they become popular telling everyone how they aren't cool any more since they sold out and went commercial. Personally I think that is a load of BS... and I frequently tell them so. As far as the Icelandic fans go there was a way better atmosphere in their end than the Hungarian end at that game trust me... but since their fans gained lots of acclaim I guess they just aren't cool enough anymore

You'd probably like Bayern Munich I guess, stacks of day trippers taking selfies. Not a case of being cool, just far more original with fewer tourists etc... Dortmund fans themselves have spoken of the problem with day trippers etc, by that I mean people going and buying a shirt etc for day and no more. Bayern hate it themselves. I first went Dortmund in 08 and it has changed a fair bit since then, I enjoyed it the other week but have been in better - cost £76 as well, just wanted to finally do that wall but I was underwhelmed by it, way of the world.

Each to their own I suppose but that at Roma is exactly the opposite to what many people in the past have said about it and why it was a great experience.

Hungary gained acclaim in qualifying by the way, some effort that to Romania by train etc....

I found the Red Bull Leipzig away end at many games two seasons ago an eye opener, doubt your pals think that is part of the cult!

On the few occasions I've been to games as a neutral I've always felt a bit of a fraud, especially when there's a goal and everyone around you is going mental and you're not really arsed.

Do people who indulge in this football tourism fake their goal celebrations or just get the mobile out and start filming?

heilkmoon wrote:
Aye it can get boring at times, seen me leave before half time many times.

It's a funny one when there is a penalty at some stadiums like, the smart phones come out in abundance. The best one I saw of that problem with it in England was when Rooney scored at City and ran to the home fans, wasn't a load of angry mancs there to greet him with abuse but various Chinese males and females filming him with smart phones.

Richard Archer wrote:
Self loathing surely as you yourself are being a football tourist ? Just one that seeks out certain atmospheres at games, as opposed to ones who will go to any game.

heilkmoon wrote: I was ot old Trafford on Sunday and must have been the only person in the Stretford end but celebrating when they went 1-0 up, complete opposite when stoke equalised with a couple of minutes to go however!

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Deckchair - You seem to pop up on anything I say these days! You'll notice the difference between some folk who go round watching different matches once you start doing it yourself. I'll try anything once in terms of football, lot of big Clubs are becoming dominated by day trippers - I can't explain much really as if you aren't one yourself you will know what I mean.

Richard Archer wrote:
Not deliberately I assure you. More that a lot of the stuff you comment/post about interest me.

I get what you mean, some people will go for the match experience, others will go, buy a shirt, take selfies in/outside of the ground.

You said you wouldn't go to a MLS game ?

Not sure if you two have history Richard, but he has a valid point. You can't complain about day trippers when you are one yourself, slightly hypocritical.

moose wrote:
True but what I mean is many attending these high profile stadiums would never do a lower league match. It's the Allianz, Nou Camp etc or nothing.

DeckchairBlue wrote:
Said I had no interest in going to one. I got to Germany and back for 31 quid 2 week ago and saw four matches. I'm not going to rush to go USA! If I spent out big for a flight to watch Football it would be South America or Mexico. Planning is everything on these trips, can tie in loads in a short space of time when you know what are doing. I am confident in Spain and Germany as I've lived in both for two years. Planning on going Italy for a few in December but must admit I'm not as confident about it.

cocaineblues wrote:
Do you mean not rather than but? Also, do you mean you started cheering when Stoke scored?

Went to LA Galaxy v San Jose Earthquakes back in May, surprisingly good atmosphere considering there were only about 15k there, think the ground holds about 25k.

Having said that, the Yanks in LA have no interest in "soccer", the ground was full of Mexicans, who seem to have adopted the Galaxy.

Richard Archer wrote: Sorry aye that's what I meant.

Not quite, I let out a hearty laugh and a clap which the man utd supporting lad I was there with quickly put a stop to.

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Richard Archer wrote: Lol. Not a chance they'd approve of RB Leipzig... they tend to go to tier 3 - 5 in Germany. They try to get me to go on their trips but I point out that, unlike them, I regularly watch lower league football. They really are just EPL fans trying to regain some credibility

I always try to take in a match if possible when I'm over seas but I'm a full on day tripper by comparison with yourself... I would likely pick out the bigger teams to watch.... Doesn't always go to plan though... I had tickets for Seville v Real Madrid last season but the f*%ers move the match date for TV and I couldn't make it.

I'd love to do some of the South American grounds but it's going to be a tough sell to the Mrs.

There is a hell of a lot more to Red Bull Leipzig than meets the eye like. Some terribly naive comments about the support for starters but the cool fans of England especially will always jump on a bandwagon like the one that detests RBL knowing little or even trying to learn about it. I went to a fair bit of 3. Liga and below when I was out there myself, the Munich Derby (under 23 teams) was a far cry to the atmospheres happening at these checkatrade carry ons - think they are going to ban away fans soon from them.

Sevilla were who I used to watch when I lived out there mainly. Proper day tripping that as the ticket prices go through the roof when Real and Barcelona go to town, even the tour operators down the Costa Del Sol get involved. Great stadium with a great atmosphere though, not many better places to watch football than Seville around April, May or August. You may be a bit taken back by health and safety like as there tends to be none at all, Betis is good as well - the locals used to take bottles of gin and brandy in there and pour it in to glasses while the match was going on!

Lancaster last Saturday was something I'm glad I did (I was born there) and will probably start to do quite a lot now in all honesty.

Richard Archer wrote:
I get your point. If you are just going out for the football it makes sense to go somewhere you can get the most bang for your buck.

We only went because we were already on holiday there and had a free day, usually we go to the basketball.

A mate has just got a job that involves quite a lot of travel around Europe, so we are planning on getting matches in whilst he is away.

Another reason why I prefer going lower down in Germany is it's pretty hard to get standing tickets in the top flight, most are season ticket only in fact - the famous Bayern 140 euro season ticket is gold dust and you can't walk on and pay 15 euro standing there. The standing factor is what makes it cheap over there - some seated tickets can be as dear as the premier league.

Personally I like seeing new places and travelling by train. Used to go away with England but you don't see many places for what they are and the locals often are petrified due to the behaviour of certain pratts!

Richard Archer wrote: Yeah I did a few England away and it's awkward to say the least... some sections of the away following are just embarrassing.

I bought my Seville tickets directly off there website. They were still pricey though. It was annoying sitting in Malaga watching the game on TV knowing there were two expensive seats with my name on them going unused. Have you ever been to Athletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao? I heard that they are well worth a visit for the atmosphere.

Have you ever been to games in Belgium?Holland? I'm heading there with work in the next few months and might try to tie in a couple of games.

Edited to say that this should probably be a different thread.

Don't get him started on Atletico (notice the spelling, he'll pull you up on that Northumbrian). They're one of his 14 teams across the continent which he actively supports, including 7 in England. Have you never seen him waiting for the bus on London Road in his Griezmann top and his Simeone slicked back hair?

Judge Frank - nobody on here lives in Carlisle bar about 5% so I doubt they've seen me awaiting the bus.

Well done on the Atletico though. The only man I know who supports Barcelona and Real Madrid!

Been to Atletico a few times and it's very good but has a racist element. Madrid is top for Football. Never been Bilbao, wish I had done it before the new stadium was built.

Been a few places in Holland and Belgium - Ajax, Feyenoord, Breda, Beerschot and Anderlecht. Antwerp is a real city and have heard Royal Antwerp is a good experience. The lowlands are great for ground hopping as the rail system is cheap, reliable and city's are so close together.