Foreign Football Experiences

[GBJ]

Love that, was there for the derby in January and had a cracking time. Great food and a proper football city.

Oh the culture of having pintxos behind/on the bar is second to none. Having a snack and a caña and then moving on to the next, is an absolute winner.

Probably the friendliest Spanish city I’ve visited too. The locals really made you feel part of it on game night, and treated us like we were one of them.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Went to Valencia last weekend. Fantastic, historic stadium and one that needs to be experienced by all football fans. I wanted to sit in their famous, steep North Stand, which was absolutely superb and gave an incredible view.

The game was fairly entertaining although The Bats lost 2-0 to Sevilla, despite being the better team for the most of it, but they failed to finish any of their chances (remind you of anyone?) They also went down to 10-men and had two penalty decisions go against them courtesy of the ref, despite VAR indicating that he needs to rethink the incidents. The fans were very understanding, as you can imagine.

This was all following a protest against their owner, Peter Lim, a man who has fleeced the famous Catalan club left, right and centre (remind you of anyone?) A fairly strong crowd amassed outside the main stand which required a heavy police presence.

Great atmosphere, decent game and a brilliant experience.

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The city and locals looks and sounds decent mate.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

The city and locals looks and sounds decent mate.

I went tp La Mestala,many years ago now ,to see Espanyol win the Copa del Rei Final (equivalent of the FA Cup Final(.Great stadium,fans ,and city.

 

[Ricky Otto]

went to Milan v Napoli at San Siro about a month ago now. class. loved all the songs, the fans all together. Unreal atmosphere. Loved it, great weekend

Not a great result if you are Napoli
Were you in one of the Curvas? Heard curva sud is very lively at the san siro

 

[Ricky Otto]

Been in Bilbao this weekend. Firstly, what a city. First visit and it’s instantly become one of my favourite Spanish cities and slays the more popular ones like Barcelona and Valencia.

Real friendly people and a culture that is second to none. Also helps that I was given a free beer in three separate bars (no idea why). Leyendas.

Had to go and see Athletic Club, and it was a brilliant experience. The city comes out in force for the football team and it’s something I wish we could have one day.

Bilbao played Alaves and deservedly won the game 2-0, although it could have been more.

Do athletic still have their policy of only having basque born players? Always amazed me that they could compete in the top flight with only players from a small geographical area!

 

[Ricky Otto]

I'm going to Barca v Las palmas next weekend. The boy wanted to go to a Barcelona game for his 13th birthday present. Was initially disappointed that the game isn't at the Nou Camp but I have fond memories of the 92 Barcelona Olympics so will be nice to go to the stadium that Linford Christie won his 100m gold

 

[Holy Joe]

Do athletic still have their policy of only having basque born players? Always amazed me that they could compete in the top flight with only players from a small geographical area!

I did the stadium tour last summer - yes they still have that policy.

 

[GBJ]

Do athletic still have their policy of only having basque born players? Always amazed me that they could compete in the top flight with only players from a small geographical area!

Yep, still the same policy. Agreed it’s really some achievement to be successful with that mindset. It makes you wonder how successful we could be if we limited ourselves to Essex born players only.

But it’s a culture thing though. They’re fiercely proud to be from that region.

I'm going to Barca v Las palmas next weekend. The boy wanted to go to a Barcelona game for his 13th birthday present. Was initially disappointed that the game isn't at the Nou Camp but I have fond memories of the 92 Barcelona Olympics so will be nice to go to the stadium that Linford Christie won his 100m gold

I went to the Olympic stadium in 2019. From memory It’s elevated above the city and you get some great views up there if you walk to one of the viewing points.

 

[Ricky Otto]

Yep, still the same policy. Agreed it’s really some achievement to be successful with that mindset. It makes you wonder how successful we could be if we limited ourselves to Essex born players only.

But it’s a culture thing though. They’re fiercely proud to be from that region.



I went to the Olympic stadium in 2019. From memory It’s elevated above the city and you get some great views up there if you walk to one of the viewing points.

100% a cultural thing, not something that could be recreated here. Every basque kid wants to play for them, the best move on but they all start there. We wouldn't be 1st choice for most kids in Essex unfortunately, the London clubs are more appealing. I'd definitely like to do an athletic game one day.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Yep, still the same policy. Agreed it’s really some achievement to be successful with that mindset. It makes you wonder how successful we could be if we limited ourselves to Essex born players only.

But it’s a culture thing though. They’re fiercely proud to be from that region.



I went to the Olympic stadium in 2019. From memory It’s elevated above the city and you get some great views up there if you walk to one of the viewing points.

Espanol played there for 13 years _i had a season card for the whole of that time.Bar$a fans moan about having to play there for just one season -only 30% of their cry babies have taken up their membership cards for this season.

 

[Ron Manager]

$5 AUD to sit on the club house balcony overlooking the goal at one end, cheap beers and amazing authentic Italian pizzas for NPL (regionalised second tier effectively) at Brisbane City.

Group of us started going a few years ago because the A-League is all a bit plastic. Now have the club chairman come over to say hello and thank us for coming and doubling their bar takings when we do.

We all have our own teams across the lower leagues (plus a token Premier League fan but even that’s Burnley) but this is an excuse to socialise, drink a few beers and scratch the live football itch.

 

[Ricky Otto]

$5 AUD to sit on the club house balcony overlooking the goal at one end, cheap beers and amazing authentic Italian pizzas for NPL (regionalised second tier effectively) at Brisbane City.

Group of us started going a few years ago because the A-League is all a bit plastic. Now have the club chairman come over to say hello and thank us for coming and doubling their bar takings when we do.

We all have our own teams across the lower leagues (plus a token Premier League fan but even that’s Burnley) but this is an excuse to socialise, drink a few beers and scratch the live football itch.

Loved the WA state league when I was I. Perth, had a few friends play for Armadale and there were a few guys who would all be at the bar all day. The under 21s game then the ressies then the 1st team. Really got a full day! Not sure if it's the same in your state but loved the national affiliations at each club, because we all know most aussies come from somewhere else. Floriat Athena - Greek, Perth SC - Italian, Morley windmills - Dutch, Stirling lions - Macedonians, gwelup Croatia - Croatians, Armadale - English and Scottish etc. Someone suggested we go to a Floriat Athena v Stirling lions game because apparently the Greeks and Macedonians hate each other. What a mad experience that was, flares and none stop loud chanting from both sets of fans.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

Not a great result if you are Napoli
Were you in one of the Curvas? Heard curva sud is very lively at the san siro

sat just to the side of the home fans in the Curva Sud, so watched them as much as the game. magnificent

 

[Ricky Otto]

sat just to the side of the home fans in the Curva Sud, so watched them as much as the game. magnificent

Kanye west recently used the curva nord inter fans on his latest song

He went to a match and was inspired by them

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

Kanye west recently used the curva nord inter fans on his latest song

He went to a match and was inspired by them

it's something else, wish i could find what the Milan fans songs are. obvs nothing on the Blue Voice though

 

[Ricky Otto]

it's something else, wish i could find what the Milan fans songs are. obvs nothing on the Blue Voice though

To be fair we have some quite impressive fans in this country too. My boy is a Liverpool fan so took him there and I was blown away by walk alone watching the kop end. Also went to a Palace game this season and sat with the holmsdale ultras, they really impressed me too.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

To be fair we have some quite impressive fans in this country too. My boy is a Liverpool fan so took him there and I was blown away by walk alone watching the kop end. Also went to a Palace game this season and sat with the holmsdale ultras, they really impressed me too.

my old man was a palace fan, so always had a soft spot for them. and they look like they have an actual atmosphere, rather than people who sit on their hands and expect to be entertained. and Anfield looks special in full voice. don't know how many others we have who fit that bill though. have to wait till we get there to rate them in person i guess...

 

[Ricky Otto]

Went to Barca v Las palmas on Saturday night. Barca playing the barca way looked very dodgy playing out from the back and Las palmas could have got a couple early on. Raphinha has a great game and was taken out by the Las palmas keeper, last man, no arguments, red card. After thst barca were on top and dominated the 2md half, finally making a breakthrough with a Raphinha header. For a massive club the atmosphere was poor but that might just be because they aren't in the Nou Camp this season? There was a small section behind the goal who didn't stop singing and chanting all game, fair play to them but it was a small section. Think we probably saw one of the worst barca teams of the modern era. The boy enjoyed though which was the main thing.