Previously i‘ve been to a couple of Union Berlin matches but my first introduction to German Fußball was about nine years ago when myself and a group of friends(hi all!) went to Fortuna Düsseldorf v Duisburg.A feisty local derby and it didn’t disappoint... I expect today’s game to be pretty much the same especially as Bayer Leverkusen is only up the road too. By all accounts they’re favourites to win this one with the barman in the boozer telling me he‘d happily take a draw.
The ticket cost €31 which is a pretty standard price but that does include the cost of the tram fare to & from the ground.It‘s not that far out of the city but you wouldn’t want to walk it...the good thing about German grounds is they’re well appointed with bars & food stalls and their security is tighter than in the UK—but they still manage to get flares in and it’s probably best not to ask how—-that it pays to get in early.I imagine the Leverkusen fans will be in big numbers and will no doubt get an escort from the hbf...last time the 7k Duisburg Fans happily went about ripping up seats in the Düsseldorf ground,the police didn’t get stuck in but I think they got their‘s from the police later on.Like I said a feisty affair...
There‘s already some fans gathering in Schumacher‘s Alt bar over the road from my favourite coffee spot.Proving that football fans are the same the world over...we all need about six hours drinking before a game! I may pop over later but as neither are my team I don’t need to put a full days bevvying in.I‘m that most reviled of modern phenomenon today.The dreaded football tourist...something we‘re gonna have to get used to at Wolves in the future.
German fans love their scarves.They all seem to wear them but it’s now 11am and already 25c and by the time the game kicks off at 3-30 it‘ll be about 30c or maybe even hotter in the ground.That‘s too hot for a scarf even worn round the wrist.It does lend itself to the incongruous sight of fans wearing shorts,sandals & a scarf round their neck though...the conclusion being that it’s too bloody hot for football.
Well made it to Schumachers Alt Bar...as well as plenty of Düsseldorf fans there‘s also Shalke & Bayern Munich( They’re playing each other at Schalke,again Just up the road) also getting the U-Bahn to the stadium not the tram...they‘ve changed the name too,used to be the Espirt Stadion,which i wish it was still cos‘ of Nuno.I know it’s stupid but that’s football fans for you!
The bar staff in here are gloriously obtuse.Maybe it’s because i‘m wearing a t-Shirt of a rival Alt Bier Company.They take it very seriously in This Part of the world...
As expected a large police presence at the Hauptbahnhof...and I have done something i‘ve not done since I was twelve and arrived at the ground two hours before kick off...with this weather I didn’t want to be on the last U-Bahn in from the city.Lots of opportunity to spot any full kit Wankers...to be honest from the outside it looks nothing like a football stadium.More like a bloody big conference centre but inside it does certainly.
Pint of good beer at €4-30 in a proper hard plastic glass and not those wobbly monstrosities we have put up with...Bratwurst at €3-30 and you know that’s gonna be good All with plenty of room on the concourse to fit a crowd of 45/50,000 .Oh and you can drink & smoke whilst watching the game...this is where German football knocks ours out of the ball park every time.Ever tried getting a drink in the South Bank? Terrible...i have also noticed a lot more woman at German games too.Although that could be my fevered imagination...mind you I have just been told off by security for Sitting on the steps leading to the concourse so fuck German football it’s the pits...
Well half time and it’s Fortuna 0 Bayer 3 and frankly that’s being kind to Düsseldorf.Bayer by far the better team and just need to see the game out now...no boos at halftime though so that’s good...saw my first VAR in action live ,Goal no goal ,goal...it kind of sucks.On a side note i‘m Sitting in the seats destroyed by Duisburg Fans nine years ago so at least they‘ve been replaced...the stadium does hold the noise in well.
The game ended 1-3 and was a lot closer than it should have been.Düsseldorf improved but Bayer always had enough to win.They have better players are clearly fitter and played better as a team.Usually enough to win most games...
The Düsseldorf fans stayed with their team though and didn’t give then any stick...even though it was loud at times I was surprised by how staid it was was considereing it was a derby game...I‘m also pretty sure I saw a disputed throw in VAR‘ed by the ref!
So it’s now half eight and this is my last post from Germany.Sorry this one‘s been so long.S‘pose I could‘ve just said „“German football‘s great“ and be done with it... anyhow I hope you‘ve all enjoyed reading these daily bulletins as much as i‘ve enjoyed writing them...I didn’t think i‘d be able to do a daily blog justice but it just proves what everyone already knows about me...I don’t half talk some shite...
PS I get asked a few times why I love Germany: I was just in a shop and tried to ask for what I wanted in German.Needless to say I have been on the sauce much of the day and obviously made a pigs ear of it.The fella says “I speak English just ask me what you want”. “ but I’m trying to do it in German “ “ yea i appreciate that but next time don’t try so hard...” some might think that rude but I think that’s beautiful honesty and i howled with laughter...that’s why I love Germany.It’s a no bullshit country which knows how to make cracking beer...
Guten nacht...
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