Visiting other European teams

[twopintsnilnil]

Rather than spending a fortune on the Premier League this season, my son and I are thinking of taking in a few European league games. We're considering anywhere in northern Europe and happy to take in smaller games rather than PSG/Bayern/Ajax and the big derbies if that makes getting tickets easier/cheaper. I'm sure others must have done this, so if anyone has any tips at all about good weekends away that include something to see and do in the vicinity apart from the football I'd be grateful.

 

We'd be particularly keen on something that wasn't the ordinary Premier League experience. For example I understand some German clubs have standing areas, which could be fun. I've looked at Shalke, but their web site is worse than ours and doesn't appear to want to sell you any tickets at all.

 

Cheers.

[Cabbage_Face]

I've done Roma in Stadio Olympico, and it was incredible. Highly recommend.

[Batman]

Been to Sporting and Benfica (not when they played each other).

Great experiences but Lisbon was/is a dive

[van Hanegem]

If it has to be Germany I recommend a visit to Sankt Pauli in Hamburg, a cult club playing in the second division. The crowd exists of marxists and socialists but unlike the usual boring leftists, these guys (and many women!) create a very pleasant atmosphere.

Also, it’s near the Reeperbahn which might be a plus if you’re son is not too young...

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_St._Pauli

[twopintsnilnil]

Now that's a good idea. And I'm a boring lefty as well, so it should suit. Thanks.

[van Hanegem]

Now that's a good idea. And I'm a boring lefty as well, so it should suit. Thanks.

 

You’re in for a treat then, hardcore anti-imperialists who don’t like their club being commercially successful...

But they are a really nice bunch!

 

[video=youtube_share;9efuiQUC4dc]

[Super_Uwe]

Going on the German theme...you might want to give Kaiserslautern a try? I lived in that part of the world for a year, the club has a massive following and they have a great history, but they're "doing a Sunderland" at the moment and are in the third tier. Fritz-Walter-Stadion (or "Betze") is an amazing ground. Haven't checked ticket prices but I'm guessing they might be pretty cheap this season.

[Bananaman]

Did Betis (Seville is beautiful if you get the chance) and Malaga whilst in Spain. Betis was incredible, a real cauldron, great atmosphere.. Malaga was... odd. Fun though. Both recommended.

[Pamplemousse]

If you're looking for somewhere easy to get to by car then Normandy is a good option, Le Havre plays in Ligue 2, Caen in Ligue 1, Le Havre have a modern stadium that never sells out and they play God Save the Queen before every game.

[Winnersaint]

Mate of mine did St Pauli thing and still does when he goes to Hamburg. Been travelling to Berlin to see Union recently and other obscure Berlin teams. He does the ‘Yol’ in La Liga and has also taken in games in other parts of Europe including Napoli. Basically these are his holidays. In addition he went to Azerbaijan to watch Wales last year.