Monday 25 August 2008

Readers photos


It's not just us who go on European Football Weekends, you're all at it! Send us your EFW photos and we'll publish them here - simple. Click on any photo to enlarge the image:

Friend of the site Patrick from Belgium sent these in from the Lille OSC v Caen encounter (25:10:08).

Lille OSC are currently playing at the Stade Lille-Metropole whilst their new 50,000 seater stadium in the City is being built.

The match finished 2-2 and was described by Patrick as being 'bloody freezing'. No pain, no gain our kid.

This is Nick Waterhouse (Brighton fan) at Tynecastle for the Hearts v Rangers clash. As you can see from the following few photo's, Nick is keen as mustard when it comes to EFW's.

What do you do before you go to Hearts!? Go to Hibs of course. It's not rocket science is it!?

There now follows an astonishing run of photos of Nick + big grin + Spanish Football Grounds.

Nick and Big Deaks enjoying what can only be described as a match at Getafe. Sort you scarf out Deaks.

No trip to Spain is complete without a trip to Real Madrid is it!?

Valencia anyone!?

Our man again, this time at Levante.

10/10 and some overhead clapping for the floodlights at Sevilla.

Hola amigo - Que tal Sevilla!?

Last but not least in Spain. Our old amigos: Rayo Vallecano.

Nick also took his wife to be Tamsin to see Hertha Berlin v Werder Bremen. That's one lucky lady in my book!

Bologna v Lazio (19:10:08) anyone!? Thanks to Emiliano for sending in that little beauty.

Patrick (Royal Antwerp fan) enjoyed a bit of Alemannia Aachen v Mainz 05 (20:10:08)

Patrick's shot of the Tivoli Stadium.

Sadly this old ground which is one of my favourites is being replaced soon. No doubt, for a large soulless arena.

PGN 'in amongst the action' in Stockholm (Solna) for Sweden's World Cup qualifier with Portugal. I am loving that picture mate!

These just in: Andy Jack, Motherwell fan went to see his team take on AS Nancy in the UEFA Cup (18:09:08).

The Stade Marcel Picot home to AS Nancy. Now there is a French sounding stadium is it not!?

Andy also went to Skopje in Macedonia to see Scotland get beaten. He had to sneak into the home end.

As usual the Tartan Army turned out in force, made friends with everybody and many of them are no doubt are still out there running bars etc etc

Ray (Brentford fan) sent these in from his recent Dutch European Football Weekend. This was taken at the Feyenoord v NEC match (05:10:08). For sure it was a good game.

Why, if it isn't our old friend the floodlight at the de Kuip! Our second entry for this little number.

Ray also visited the Philips Stadion to see PSV take on De Graafschap (04:10:08).

Ivi (Borussia Dortmund fan) travelled by train from Dortmund to Udinese for the UEFA Cup match at the Stadio Friuli (02:10:08).

Ivi and thousands of other BVB fans endured a round trip of 33hrs to see their team. Dedication's what you need.

Agonisingly, BVB pulled back a two goal deficit on the night but then went out on penalties.

Giorgio from Rome is back! This time with a rare bit of Spanish flag action from the Real Zaragoza v Elche fixture (Sept 08). Real Zaragoza as anybody worth their salt knows, have the deeepest goal nets in Europe. For that reason alone I'm booking a trip out there soon.

Lieven (Royal Antwerp fan from Belgium) completing our very own first hatrick of San Siro's on these pages - there are two more further down - Is there anyone who doesn't love a piece of the San Siro!?

Lieven again at the Rontgen Stadion, home to FC Remschied. They ply their trade in the Landesliga Niederrhein-Gruppe 1 (VII). Naturally I'd love to go there!

The following five photos come in from the delightfully named Patrick Van Puyenbroeck (Royal Antwerp fan from Belgium). He has been to over 100 games abroad and this was his best. The Wisla Krakow v Cracovia local derby at the Wisla Stadium.

Whisper it quitely but we all have a floodlight fetish don't we!? If not then this shot of one at the De Kuip, Rotterdam may help turn you. Feyenoord fans get to marvel at this every other week.

Here's our man Patrick in the San Siro about to enjoy AC Milan v Celtic. You wait months for the San Siro and then two turn up in as many weeks (see further down the page).

The German fans putting on a show for their match with Wales at the Commerzbank-Arena, home to Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 07).

Scenes outside the Viktoria Stadion in Prague ahead of the Viktoria Zizkov v Hralec Kralove fixture in March 2007. A scrabble players dream.

For as long as I live, if people keep sending me photos of Europe's biggest terrace then I will keep posting them on these pages. It's our old friend the 'Yellow wall' of the Sudtribune taken by Justin nearly two hours before the Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 local derby (Sept 08). What ground in England would be that full two hours before kick off!?

Here is Justin (Brighton fan) who had a brilliant weekend and can't wait to go back. He said it was "everything English football should be".

Here is his pal Ian who is also an Albion fan and went along for the ride as well. The actual game was a classic, Schalke taking a 3-0 lead before BVB came storming back to draw 3-3 with a last gasp equaliser.

Step forwards and take a bow Anorthosis Famagusta FC of Cyprus for this beauty of a stand and hats at a jaunty angle to 'Simple Pieman' who saw Spurs play there in the UEFA Cup (Oct 07).

Simple Pieman also saw Spurs away to SC Braga in Portugal at the Estadio AXA. Those fans behind the goal look rock hard. (Yellow card for that comment - Ed).

More Pieman action, this time from the Sevilla v Spurs UEFA Cup match (April 07). Impresionante amigo!

And what to do before going to Sevilla FC!? Nip across to Real Betis FC of course. So Simple 'Pieman'.

Malcolm from Horley went to see Msida v Tarxien at the National Stadium, Malta (Aug 08). All ten Premier League teams in Malta play at this stadium. It's a groundhoppers nightmare.

There is a small light at the end of the tunnel. Opposite the new ground is the old 'Centenary Stadium' and occasionally when it's wet they pop across and play here.

Inside the National Stadium and Msida v Tarxien has clearly caught the imagination of the Maltese public.

They play one game on Friday and two each on both Saturday and Sunday. It'll set you back just 8 Euros to see two games in a day. Good old European football eh!?

Hello to you! Three knocks on the back door and (allegedly) you are through to the Maltese FA headquarters. This my friends, constitutes a 'magic door' and you'll find all stadiums have them. Inside, Narnia type delights and adventures often occur.

Don't worry, we haven't gone all cultural on you, it's only the Olympic Stadium in Berlin from the outside so you can all breathe again. Sent in by Brentford fan and all round good egg Ray.

Ray saw Hertha Berlin v Werder Bremen. No doubt he also sunk some delightful German beer and paid about a tuppence ha'penny to get in.

Ray again, this time at the Weserstadion for Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund. Ray goes to a game abroad once a month and frankly who can blame him!?

Werder Bremen fans in giant flag action - check.

Not strictly speaking European but who gives a rats when it's Boca Juniors v River Plate!? Click on the above image to enlarge it and take note of the trillion fans packed in behind the goal.

These photos were sent in by Tom (Brighton fan) who used some of the following to describe his match day experience at the Estadio Alberto J Aramando "Amazing, stunning, crazy, best ever".

Without too much care for his own personal safety, Tom opted to go in the 'away end' with the River Plate fans.

Here is Tom. We salute you sir! Boca Juniors v River Plate should be on everyone's CV.

Post match scenes outside the stadium. I for one was shocked to see Che Guevara make an appearance.

At last! The San Siro - and relax. Thanks to Guy (Brighton fan) who went to AC Milan v Udinese in May 07. I could look at that roof all day.

"Two nice cold beers and a dry pretzel please mate" - Oh, sorry, I thought I was in Germany for a second, my mistake.

Besiktas v FC Kosice in the UEFA Cup anyone!? Yes please! Thanks to Mark (Brighton fan) who attended this game in his flares.

Grant (Brighton fan) braved the Bosnia v Croatia International in Sarajevo in September and took these images on his mobile phone.

The match finished 5-3 to Croatia but was unfortunately marred by fighting before, during and after the match. It's always the games you least expect.

Joris (Willem II fan) from Holland went to the Old Firm game (Aug 08). Just the six goals, two sendings off and just shy of 60,000 fans.

Celtic Park, the calm before the storm.

The day before Celtic v Rangers, Joris took in Ayr United v Queens Park. Here is Somerset Park in all its glory. My sort of football ground if you are asking.

Ayr beat Queens Park to go top of the table. Hence the wild celebrations seen here on the terracing.

It's Spain, it's Barcelona, it's the Camp Nou and yes it's 'El Classico' - Barca v Real Madrid sent in by (Brighton fan) Ian.

Unsurprisingly, the Barca fans were 'quite up for this one'

Ian at the erm.....tennis. Pre-match entertainment Spanish style.

Chris (West Brom fan) travelled to Germany for VfL Osnabruck v Union Berlin. For less than £10 you can stand on this terrace and soak it all up.

The Osnatel Arena has had a bit of work done to it since this match in April 07. They've added a fancy new stand with violet seats of course.

Here is Chris watching the match in his WBA shirt and beer in hand. Cheers or should that be prost!

Part 1 of a Stuart Fuller trilogy. Stuart regularly travels to see Brondby and he took this photo of their fans engaging in some serious flag action at the woefully named Brondby Stadium.

Part 2 - The Maksimir Stadium, home of Dinamo Zagreb. Taken in Oct 06 during the Croatia v England European Championships qualifying match.

Part 3 - Our man Fuller appears to have sneaked into a Ferencvaros training session in Budapest at the Stadion Albert Florian. Mental note to self; if through on goal in one on one situation away to Ferencvaros, slip ball through keepers legs.

Sunderland fan Paul dislikes Magpies but loves an EFW. This freaky but uniquey stand is at the Stade Louis II - home to AS Monaco.

The pitch has been described as a 'slab of concrete above a car park'.

Paul saw Monaco entertain PSG (Aug 08) - lucky chap.

Contrary to popular belief, AS Monaco do appear to have some fans.

Our Swedish friend Per-Gunnar nipped across the border into Denmark for the Brondy v FC Copenhagen grudge match (Aug 08). Fair play to local derbies in Denners - a non stop barrage of noise according to the PG meister.

Kilmarnock fan Robin enjoying a Spanish EFW inside the Estadi Olimpic. He saw Espanyol v Racing Santander and tells me this picture was taken in October of 2006 with a trusty old disposable camera - good darts lad!

Giorgio of Rome (Lazio fan) is back with a glorious photo of the Atletico Madrid fans in the Vicente Calderon about to witness a 4-0 demolition of Schalke 04 in the Champions League (August 08).

Dutch fans in stadium with fancy skyline - tick. Stuart Fuller (West Ham fan) took this masterpiece at the Stade de Suisse, Berne during Holland 3 Italy 0 at Euro 2008.

Another Fuller original - a splendid photo of the ghastly named 'Red Bull Arena' in Salzburg. Taken in June during the Greece 0 Sweden 2 Euro 2008 funfest.

Roland from Belgium (Royal Antwerp fan) and his mate outside the Idrottsparken Stadium, about to indulge themselves in the IFK Norrkoping v GAIS Gothenburg fixture. Roland regularly travels from Belgium to Sweden for EFWs.

The 'Yellow Wall' of the Sudtribune in the Westfalenstadion. Taken by Brentford fan Ray prior to the Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich match in August 2008. The largest terrace in Europe. Mmmm...

Martin & Andy Green (Brighton fans) look a little sheepish minutes after playing one of our all time EFW favourite games 'lets see if we can get on the pitch' at The Stadium of Light, Benfica.

Wolves fan Tim's picture of the FC Zurich fans at the UEFA Cup tie in the Spartan Stadium, home to Sparta Prague (Oct 2007).

Giorgio (Lazio fan) from Rome sent in this photo taken at the Karlsruher v Bochum match in August 2008. It sums up German football for me.

More Karlsruher v Bochum action. Who doesn't love the unfurling of a giant flag at a game!?

Murray from Scotland sent this in from the Arminia Bielefeld v Borussia Dortmund game in May 2008. It would appear everybody loves a German European Football Weekend.

Murray also sampled some pre-match beers in the Schuco Arena beer garden prior to the match. I want to go there now, this minute. Fire up the jet pack!

Motherwell fan Andy took this one of the Tartan Army in Prague.

He also followed his team to the market town of Abtenau near Salzburg, Austria for some pre-season action.

The Motherwell fans had their very own executive box.

Andy and his brother take in Ajax v Feyenoord.

Fully 'scarved up' at Austria v Scotland in Vienna.

Before the famous France 0 Scotland 1 Euro 2008 qualifier.

Killie fan Murry at Werder Bremen v Bochum (Feb 08).

Kilmarnock fan Murray (right) and Joerg take in their German team Borussia Monchengladbachs away game in Munich.

Forget Europe - Bristol City fan Dave took his wife to the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Does life get any better!? (no - Ed)

Dave again the Home Depot Centre, Carson City, Los Angeles for the LA Galaxy v Columbus Crew game in July 2007. It was just prior to the arrival of our Becks.

Swede Per-Gunnar Nilsson from Kristianstad at the Frankenstadion, Nurnberg prior to the Ghana v USA World Cup game in 2006.

PGN 'happy as Larry' at the Gelredome, Arnhem before the England v Italy U21s fixture.

The Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz before Liechtenstein v Sweden.

Murray, Alan & Joerg loving every moment of being dressed head to toe in Borussia Monchengladbach gear whilst sinking a few pints.

Photos will be updated each week. Send yours into dannylast@hotmail.com and I'll post them up here on the wall of fame.