Non-NUFC games you've attended / are attending

[Wallsendmag]

Been to several Newcastle Benfield games this season. Other than that I've also been to see Rangers v Aberdeen, Queen of The South v Dundee Utd and later on this month I'm going to Portugal to watch Sporting Lisbon v PSV Eindhoven.

 

December I'll be at Aberdeen v Livingston and Dundee Utd v Dundee.

 

Being 100% truthful I've never missed NUFC one single bit. Doubt I'd get my season ticket back now even if Ashley left.

[Disco]

FC Köln 2-0 Leverkusen for me today.

 

Decent game, 2 red cards, bit of crowd bother. Stadium was class but würst (hur hur) organised turnstiles I’ve seen.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I want to see Bournemouth, Milwall and Charlton this season, start after chrimbo.

[Wallsendmag]

FC Köln 2-0 Leverkusen for me today.

 

Decent game, 2 red cards, bit of crowd bother. Stadium was class but würst (hur hur) organised turnstiles I’ve seen.

 

Been there. Class stadium and city. We managed to get in the standing section behind one of the goals and the atmosphere was great. Cologne and Leverkusen are only about 10-15 mins away from each other two no surprise to hear of trouble there.

[Guest neesy111]

Off to san mames at the start of February.

[Guest neesy111]

LaLiga

Leganes - Getafe

Ticket: 42€ // Attendance: 11450

 

Biggest game of the season for the two clubs in South Madrid who's neighborhoods are right next to each other. Nice small stadium, although surrounded mainly by supermarkets. Small section of Getafe fans who were loud throughout the match. Lots of English/Irish here for a footballing weekend judging by the voices in the club shop. Lack of drinking facilities outside the

 

Going into the game, Leganes were the form team and Getafe were on the back of a dismal exit from the Copa del Rey to 3rd tier Badalona.

 

Had the intensity of a derby game, but Getafe were clearly the better side with excellent pressing (although some shocking defending for 1st and 3rd goals) and went up to 3-0 after only 31 mins which killed the game as a contest. Home fans not particularly fond of ex player Nyom who got himself booked, scored and subbed in space of the opening 25 mins with two fans ejected for abusing him. Home fans did stay with team for most of the match.

 

Also got to see Super Peperino!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest neesy111]

6th February 2019

Copa del Rey Quarter Final

Real Madrid vs Real Soceidad

Santiago Bernabeu (currently being refurbished)

Ticket: 37.50€ // Attendance: 64012

 

Final Score 3-4 (HT 0-1)

 

Previous two nights had seen upsets with Granada knocking out the winners Valencia on tuesday and then lower league Mirandes knocking out Villareal on the Wednesday......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Videos to come)

 

The new format with scrapping two legged ties has brought so much life into a tournament that was quite predictable in recent seasons (except last years final).

 

Certainly the best game I've seen live since the 5-1 Halloween win vs the mackems.  Barca's defeat to Soceidad's basque rivals opens the tournament for both basque sides.

[Scoreboard82]

A groundhopping mission to Lincoln v Rotherham last night. 1-0 Rotherham, backed by 1745 fans. Good atmosphere. Nice city Lincoln.

[ponsaelius]

Weekend for me just gone. Pics within spoilers, most of them shite, need to buy a camera.

 

Venezia 0-1 Frosinone @ Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

 

Fantastic little ground located at the very tip of Venice proper. There's been talk of the American owners moving the stadium to Mestre (mainland from Venice) and into a boxy new stadium. No doubt this would make the club instantly more supportable, profitable and easily sustainable as a Serie A side. However it would mean the loss of one of the most charming stadiums locations I've ever been to. It's about an hour walk through Venice, and as you reach the far eastern tip Venice stops being a gondola theme park and becomes a lovely residential area. The stadium only has 1 main stand (the other 3 are temporary) but has a church within the grounds.

 

No divine intervention for Venezia though, losing 0-1, and barely mustering so much as an effort at goal all game. Results elsewhere meant they now sit in a relegation play-off place in Serie B. The visit complete with a boat ride back to the station to get back to Verona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hellas Verona 2-1 Juventus @ Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi

 

This is a ground I've wanted to go to for years ever since reading 'A Season with Verona' by Tim Parks. Verona is home of the Lega Nord, and their fans (or core ultras at least) are known for their outward racism more than perhaps any other club in Italian football. Historic Verona itself is beautiful, but the area in which the Bentegodi is located is pretty standard soulless Italian suburbia. The stadium is an enormous concrete bowl - like a landed spaceship. Realising the need to fit in and not appear a Ronaldo fanboy, I bought a Verona scarf from one of the streetsellers.

 

A 'sell-out' meant I had to go through a re-seller to get the ticket. All tickets for Italian games require your name and DOB printed to accompany a passport or identity card. When my seller earlier in the morning assured me that the printed A4 paper stapled to the ticket showing it had been transferred to me would be enough, I was dubious, but reluctantly accepted since I'd already paid and had nowhere else to turn. Sure enough after an hour of queuing to get into the ground (checking every ID and every bag takes time) the security guard tells me my ticket is no good and under no circumstances can I get into the stadium. I'm shepherded to the side where a bunch of other tourists and undercover Juve fans (more on this soon) have seemingly also been caught out with a combination of fake or re-sold tickets. I argue through the fence with officials who have came to speak to the throng of rejects, ponder ringing the seller to scream blue murder, but ultimately begin to resign myself that I'm not going to get in. The officials briefly move away telling us to stay while they presumably go to clarify protocol. It's 20 minutes until kick-off, and I notice that they've started hurrying people through the barcode scanners ahead of me as thousands still wait to get in. In a flash I make a break for it without looking back, ripping the A4 paper off my ticket, through the electronic barrier, and run straight up the first flight of steps I see and into the first spare seat I find. Phew.

 

Turns out the seat remained empty for whatever reason. An unbelievable atmosphere. Considering the distance from the pitch, and the cavernous nature of the stadium, the noise generated by the Verona ultras is very impressive. Admittedly this is their biggest game in probably 20 years - but nevertheless extremely impressive. Verona dominated most of the general play, and had a goal scored but latterly disallowed by VAR. Juventus hit the woodwork a couple of times when they did get forward. Second half is more even and Ronaldo scores after about an hour. In front of me a bunch of about 40 Juve fans (probably Veronese themselves) jump up and celebrate the goal, gleefully screaming 'siuuuuu' when Ronaldo completes his celebration. This is too much for some of the Verona fans. A terrifying group of them run over and confront them, they are urged to leave, there's a flurry of kicks, somebody is punched to the ground. This is right in front of me and groups of families with children. I don't know what it says about me that although I really don't condone violence, I can't help but think it's quite a bit deserved. Eventually it's broken up, and pressured by the irate Verona fans, around 10 Juve fans were removed from the ground by stewards. I'm very glad right by this point that I had the yellow and blue scarf.

 

Undeterred by the goal, Verona kept plugging away and got a break late in the game with ex-mackem Borini getting his first home Verona goal. This is followed later by a VAR award of a penalty for a handball. 35 year old Pazzini off the bench buries it and it's bedlam. The final minutes of the game went by without any real Juve chances and it finished 2-1. Remaining exposed Juve fans were taunted and ridiculed as they left.

 

A very memorable experience all round.

 

 

 

 

Brescia 1-1 Udinese @ Stadio Mario Rigamonti

 

There's very little to talk about here. Except it was fascinating watching Balotelli trying to play with a bunch of mostly Serie B standard players. In fact it's fascinating watching him play at all these days. Technically, there's no doubting he still has quality, but he seems to have absolutely no idea how to utilise it to raise Brescia's limited side. Or to even move or function as a centre forward. Sandro Tonali, who is supposed to be the next Pirlo, was largely disappointing too. Somehow they steal a goal with about 10 minutes to go after being dominated most of the game. I had to leave early to get to Milan, so missed Udinese's injury time equaliser.

 

Stadium is not the most memorable. 1 main stand and 3 large temporary ones built to bridge at least some of the gap from the pitch. Still, a worthy visit as Brescia is a really beautiful city.

 

 

 

 

 

Inter 4-2 Milan @ San Siro

 

Again a sellout and leaving it late to buy a ticket means I go through a reseller. Only after buying it do I realise it's in the Milan end. Inter have made all of the Milan fans enter through 1 gate. It's carnage trying to get in and pissing it down. There's an enormous and for a small moment quite frightening crush of people. A policeman is hit on the head with a flag. No ID or ticket check though, just vigourous searching and bag checks. Finally to the gate where there's a mix of people slowly moving through, and a gaggle of others trying to 'steal' in behind whenever somebody goes through the barrier. I'm slightly scared somebody will notice I'm an alien and snatch my ticket, and also a bit frightened I could have been sold another dud and won't get in. Thankfully no such problems and I'm straight through. Once in I realise that my ticket appears to be directly in the centre of the Curva Sud. The concourse entrance is completely blocked with a forest of bodies, flags and various other paraphernalia. I decide this is a bad idea and move further to the periphery, where a number of seats have been freed by the agglomeration in the middle.

 

I'm definitely not a Milan fan, and generally have preferred Inter in the past to be honest. I'd also probably rather they win to keep the pressure on Juve. However it's important to fit in in this scenario, and try to get carried away. This is easy to do when they dominate the first half and bedlam ensues when Ibrahimovic scores the second. Half time is a buzz of energy and general disbelief. Within what seemed like minutes of the second half starting, Inter have made it 2-2. Later on it's 3-2 and could have been more. Eriksen hits the bar from about 35 yard out. Still, Milan have a final chance to equalise on 90 minutes with Ibrahimovic hitting the woodwork too from a yard out. A final goal from Lukaku completes the comeback. The rest of the stadium is going absolutely beserk by this point.

 

Again, a brilliant game, and a real privilege to be there and experience it. I think San Siro is my favourite stadium. It's a wreck, but it has more character than any of the new grounds. When full it is truly special. I urge everybody to see a derby there before it goes (knowing Italian bureaucracy, this will be a good few years yet).

 

 

 

[Guest Howaythetoon]

6th February 2019

Copa del Rey Quarter Final

Real Madrid vs Real Soceidad

Santiago Bernabeu (currently being refurbished)

Ticket: 37.50€ // Attendance: 64012

 

Final Score 3-4 (HT 0-1)

 

Previous two nights had seen upsets with Granada knocking out the winners Valencia on tuesday and then lower league Mirandes knocking out Villareal on the Wednesday......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Videos to come)

 

The new format with scrapping two legged ties has brought so much life into a tournament that was quite predictable in recent seasons (except last years final).

 

Certainly the best game I've seen live since the 5-1 Halloween win vs the mackems.  Barca's defeat to Soceidad's basque rivals opens the tournament for both basque sides.

 

Too many pictures, didn’t scroll.

[triggs]

Weekend for me just gone. Pics within spoilers, most of them shite, need to buy a camera.

 

Venezia 0-1 Frosinone @ Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

 

Fantastic little ground located at the very tip of Venice proper. There's been talk of the American owners moving the stadium to Mestre (mainland from Venice) and into a boxy new stadium. No doubt this would make the club instantly more supportable, profitable and easily sustainable as a Serie A side. However it would mean the loss of one of the most charming stadiums locations I've ever been to. It's about an hour walk through Venice, and as you reach the far eastern tip Venice stops being a gondola theme park and becomes a lovely residential area. The stadium only has 1 main stand (the other 3 are temporary) but has a church within the grounds.

 

No divine intervention for Venezia though, losing 0-1, and barely mustering so much as an effort at goal all game. Results elsewhere meant they now sit in a relegation play-off place in Serie B. The visit complete with a boat ride back to the station to get back to Verona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hellas Verona 2-1 Juventus @ Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi

 

This is a ground I've wanted to go to for years ever since reading 'A Season with Verona' by Tim Parks. Verona is home of the Lega Nord, and their fans (or core ultras at least) are known for their outward racism more than perhaps any other club in Italian football. Historic Verona itself is beautiful, but the area in which the Bentegodi is located is pretty standard soulless Italian suburbia. The stadium is an enormous concrete bowl - like a landed spaceship. Realising the need to fit in and not appear a Ronaldo fanboy, I bought a Verona scarf from one of the streetsellers.

 

A 'sell-out' meant I had to go through a re-seller to get the ticket. All tickets for Italian games require your name and DOB printed to accompany a passport or identity card. When my seller earlier in the morning assured me that the printed A4 paper stapled to the ticket showing it had been transferred to me would be enough, I was dubious, but reluctantly accepted since I'd already paid and had nowhere else to turn. Sure enough after an hour of queuing to get into the ground (checking every ID and every bag takes time) the security guard tells me my ticket is no good and under no circumstances can I get into the stadium. I'm shepherded to the side where a bunch of other tourists and undercover Juve fans (more on this soon) have seemingly also been caught out with a combination of fake or re-sold tickets. I argue through the fence with officials who have came to speak to the throng of rejects, ponder ringing the seller to scream blue murder, but ultimately begin to resign myself that I'm not going to get in. The officials briefly move away telling us to stay while they presumably go to clarify protocol. It's 20 minutes until kick-off, and I notice that they've started hurrying people through the barcode scanners ahead of me as thousands still wait to get in. In a flash I make a break for it without looking back, ripping the A4 paper off my ticket, through the electronic barrier, and run straight up the first flight of steps I see and into the first spare seat I find. Phew.

 

Turns out the seat remained empty for whatever reason. An unbelievable atmosphere. Considering the distance from the pitch, and the cavernous nature of the stadium, the noise generated by the Verona ultras is very impressive. Admittedly this is their biggest game in probably 20 years - but nevertheless extremely impressive. Verona dominated most of the general play, and had a goal scored but latterly disallowed by VAR. Juventus hit the woodwork a couple of times when they did get forward. Second half is more even and Ronaldo scores after about an hour. In front of me a bunch of about 40 Juve fans (probably Veronese themselves) jump up and celebrate the goal, gleefully screaming 'siuuuuu' when Ronaldo completes his celebration. This is too much for some of the Verona fans. A terrifying group of them run over and confront them, they are urged to leave, there's a flurry of kicks, somebody is punched to the ground. This is right in front of me and groups of families with children. I don't know what it says about me that although I really don't condone violence, I can't help but think it's quite a bit deserved. Eventually it's broken up, and pressured by the irate Verona fans, around 10 Juve fans were removed from the ground by stewards. I'm very glad right by this point that I had the yellow and blue scarf.

 

Undeterred by the goal, Verona kept plugging away and got a break late in the game with ex-mackem Borini getting his first Verona goal. This is followed later by a VAR award of a penalty for a handball. 35 year old Pazzini off the bench buries it and it's bedlam. The final minutes of the game went by without any real Juve chances and it finished 2-1. Remaining exposed Juve fans were taunted and ridiculed as they left.

 

A very memorable experience all round.

 

 

 

 

Brescia 1-1 Udinese @ Stadio Mario Rigamonti

 

There's very little to talk about here. Except it was fascinating watching Balotelli trying to play with a bunch of mostly Serie B standard players. In fact it's fascinating watching him play at all these days. Technically, there's no doubting he still has quality, but he seems to have absolutely no idea how to utilise it to raise Brescia's limited side. Or to even move or function as a centre forward. Sandro Tonali, who is supposed to be the next Pirlo, was largely disappointing too. Somehow they steal a goal with about 10 minutes to go after being dominated most of the game. I had to leave early to get to Milan, so missed Udinese's injury time equaliser.

 

Stadium is not the most memorable. 1 main stand and 3 large temporary ones built to bridge at least some of the gap from the pitch. Still, a worthy visit as Brescia is a really beautiful city.

 

 

 

 

 

Inter 4-2 Milan @ San Siro

 

Again a sellout and leaving it late to buy a ticket means I go through a reseller. Only after buying it do I realise it's in the Milan end. Inter have made all of the Milan fans enter through 1 gate. It's carnage trying to get in and pissing it down. There's an enormous and for a small moment quite frightening crush of people. A policeman is hit on the head with a flag. No ID or ticket check though, just vigourous searching and bag checks. Finally to the gate where there's a mix of people slowly moving through, and a gaggle of others trying to 'steal' in behind whenever somebody goes through the barrier. I'm slightly scared somebody will notice I'm an alien and snatch my ticket, and also a bit frightened I could have been sold another dud and won't get in. Thankfully no such problems and I'm straight through. Once in I realise that my ticket appears to be directly in the centre of the Curva Sud. The concourse entrance is completely blocked with a forest of bodies, flags and various other paraphernalia. I decide this is a bad idea and move further to the periphery, where a number of seats have been freed by the agglomeration in the middle.

 

I'm definitely not a Milan fan, and generally have preferred Inter in the past to be honest. I'd also probably rather they win to keep the pressure on Juve. However it's important to fit in in this scenario, and try to get carried away. This is easy to do when they dominate the first half and bedlam ensues when Ibrahimovic scores the second. Half time is a buzz of energy and general disbelief. Within what seemed like minutes of the second half starting, Inter have made it 2-2. Later on it's 3-2 and could have been more. Eriksen hits the bar from about 35 yard out. Still, Milan have a final chance to equalise on 90 minutes with Ibrahimovic hitting the woodwork too from a yard out. A final goal from Lukaku completes the comeback. The rest of the stadium is going absolutely beserk by this point.

 

Again, a brilliant game, and a real privilege to be there and experience it. I think San Siro is my favourite stadium. It's a wreck, but it has more character than any of the new grounds. When full it is truly special. I urge everybody to see a derby there before it goes (knowing Italian bureaucracy, this will be a good few years yet).

 

 

 

 

Sounds like an unbelievable trip, got really lucky with the Verona-Juve game and the Milan derby too

[Yorkie]

Could weep with jealousy at this page.

 

Loved the write-up, Sewelly. What a fucking trip.

[ponsaelius]

I'm not quite sure how I managed to blag a weekend in Venice and Verona to watch football on my own - days before Valentine's Day - and remain in a relationship 

[Wullie]

That sounds absolutely class.

[Disco]

Lush write up that. Would be a canny trip without the calcio.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I stayed in the hotel inside MK Dons stadium this weekend, would be an interesting experience if there's a game on. Walking to your room is literally around the edge of the stand, with windows looking onto the pitch. Some rooms actually open onto seating areas like an executive box.

[Guest neesy111]

I stayed in the hotel inside MK Dons stadium this weekend, would be an interesting experience if there's a game on. Walking to your room is literally around the edge of the stand, with windows looking onto the pitch. Some rooms actually open onto seating areas like an executive box.

 

They are turned into executive boxes on match days.  Lots of stadiums are similar like West Ham (old), Blackpool, Ageas Bowl (cricket).

[Paully]

Was on a Stag in Dusseldorf in August so watched Forutna 1-3 Leverkusen - Havertz and Bailey were difference class! Brilliant atmosphere especially from the away fans! I'm sure we paid 30 Euros and that included all transport!

[leffe186]

That Italy trip sounds magic Sewelly, nice one.

[Yorkie]

Was scouting Boro u23 last night, decent game though the weather was a joke. Saw big Jonny Woodgate in the Lounge area though. They’ve got a lad called Tyrone o Neil who should be out on loan, lovely footballer to watch

 

What, actually scouting?

[Disco]

Went to Hibs 2-2 St Mirren on Saturday in the SPL. Canny little ground as was to be expected, do like a stadium with 4 stands rather than with filled in corners. Had a canny view of Arthur’s Seat and the rooftops of Leith from my lofty perch n all.

 

Match itself was a tale of two halves. First half was genuinely terrible, nowt happened until St Mirren scored a breakaway which the keeper should’ve saved at his near post. Second half was full of action as Hibs changed formation and personnel. They were far the better team and went 2-1 up via a good first time volley and pen given away by a terminally thick defender. They had a couple more chances but ceded control leaving St Mirren to push near the end and got was probably a deserved equaliser towards FT. It was right in front of the few hundred who’d travelled to support them and it was absolutely great to see an away go postal again tbh. 
 

Standard overall was a lot poorer than I expected given Hibs’ good start to the season. So many misplaced passes and extra touches taken in midfield, led to quite a slow game. Nice to see a Jack Ross score draw special in person though.

 

[Nobody]

Can't wait until Sunday the 3rd of October, first game with capacity crowds in Sweden since covid hit and it's a derby game between the current top two teams in the league. 

[Guest]

14 hours ago, Disco said:

Went to Hibs 2-2 St Mirren on Saturday in the SPL. Canny little ground as was to be expected, do like a stadium with 4 stands rather than with filled in corners. Had a canny view of Arthur’s Seat and the rooftops of Leith from my lofty perch n all.

 

Match itself was a tale of two halves. First half was genuinely terrible, nowt happened until St Mirren scored a breakaway which the keeper should’ve saved at his near post. Second half was full of action as Hibs changed formation and personnel. They were far the better team and went 2-1 up via a good first time volley and pen given away by a terminally thick defender. They had a couple more chances but ceded control leaving St Mirren to push near the end and got was probably a deserved equaliser towards FT. It was right in front of the few hundred who’d travelled to support them and it was absolutely great to see an away go postal again tbh. 
 

Standard overall was a lot poorer than I expected given Hibs’ good start to the season. So many misplaced passes and extra touches taken in midfield, led to quite a slow game. Nice to see a Jack Ross score draw special in person though.

 

I used to like you.

[Disco]

3 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

I used to like you.

 I'll get to Tynecastle one day.

[Guest]

Dodgy starts for the Old Firm clubs has made for an interesting start, though. Hearts & Hibs still unbeaten, decent start for Motherwell. Shame it won’t last.