Views from a 'Kraut'

[Balham]

Unteraching is about 7 km south of munchen and easy on a train journey. It's got an ace beer garden next to the ground with proper lowenbrau and is an interesting wooden type modern stand. There a bookies en route that was invaluable as the sausages had got to me and I needed somewhere swift to leave a little piece of England....

Bayern is good too with an Audi showroom on the second floor. I kid you not I was looking at an R8 at half time after a few too many.

Equally, there are other places within an easy hour train ride, such as Augsburg and Nuremberg , and if you can get to freiburg before they move grounds, do it. Still standing on terraces and the Black Forest provides the back drop, plus you can go to titisee for a prematch pint along the hells railway.

Let me know if you want some tips, as we get over twice a season now and have learnt some lessons. The Germans love us and you are guaranteed a right time but don't mistake female friendliness for a come on, never salute even in drunken jest and grow a mullet and bleach your jeans 80s style if you fancy some kop fun!

Cheers Canterbury - I know this was aimed at HillmortonBlade but I'm going to Munich for my stag in May, hoping to catch 1860 but they've not released the fixture times yet so it might be after we've left. Unterhaching are at home though so that's a decent back up.

Agree on the hospitality of the Germans though I think it helps that I speak a little of the language which always seems to surprise them.

 

[super_pig]

I felt so ashamed explaining why an Englishman/woman would do such a thing. He seemed genuinely upset that the English hated the Germans.

no we don't mate.. that's the French
hatred implies disrespect.. let's say we have a 'healthy rivalry' with the Germans

 

[jt64]

Cheers Canterbury - I know this was aimed at HillmortonBlade but I'm going to Munich for my stag in May, hoping to catch 1860 but they've not released the fixture times yet so it might be after we've left. Unterhaching are at home though so that's a decent back up.

The last two weeks of the season are confirmed (as they all play at the same time), so if it's coinciding with the game vs Nürnberg you're fine. If it's the one against Union then it might change, but they've probably used up their quota of Monday night games by now.

HillmortonBlade - I'm doing a similar trip in April, think most of the options have been covered. Augsburg's the only non-Bayern option in the top division, have standing ticket for their game vs Schalke which I'm pretty excited about, in the second you've got Ingolstadt, although they're somewhat known as an Audi plastic club, otherwise it's 1860 or up to Nürnberg or Fürth, cheap enough to get there w/bayern ticket although it's a bit of a trek. 3rd division there's Unterhaching as mentioned, or Regensburg, who were pretty terrible when I saw them play last season vs Duisburg, and looking at the table, nothing much has changed, supposed to be a nice town though.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

The last two weeks of the season are confirmed (as they all play at the same time), so if it's coinciding with the game vs Nürnberg you're fine. If it's the one against Union then it might change, but they've probably used up their quota of Monday night games by now.

HillmortonBlade - I'm doing a similar trip in April, think most of the options have been covered. Augsburg's the only non-Bayern option in the top division, have standing ticket for their game vs Schalke which I'm pretty excited about, in the second you've got Ingolstadt, although they're somewhat known as an Audi plastic club, otherwise it's 1860 or up to Nürnberg or Fürth, cheap enough to get there w/bayern ticket although it's a bit of a trek. 3rd division there's Unterhaching as mentioned, or Regensburg, who were pretty terrible when I saw them play last season vs Duisburg, and looking at the table, nothing much has changed, supposed to be a nice town though.

All great advice and info fellow Blades, gives me something to investigate more fully. I am especially appreciative of the Beer Garden info! It's something we like doing on holiday, get to see some other football in other places and ENJOY the experience (mind casts back to a windy, damp evening watching Whitby Town, or some proper 1970's style chanting and bottle throwing at a Belfast derby match). It's better than lying beside a pool...

 

[Balham]

The last two weeks of the season are confirmed (as they all play at the same time), so if it's coinciding with the game vs Nürnberg you're fine. If it's the one against Union then it might change, but they've probably used up their quota of Monday night games by now.

HillmortonBlade - I'm doing a similar trip in April, think most of the options have been covered. Augsburg's the only non-Bayern option in the top division, have standing ticket for their game vs Schalke which I'm pretty excited about, in the second you've got Ingolstadt, although they're somewhat known as an Audi plastic club, otherwise it's 1860 or up to Nürnberg or Fürth, cheap enough to get there w/bayern ticket although it's a bit of a trek. 3rd division there's Unterhaching as mentioned, or Regensburg, who were pretty terrible when I saw them play last season vs Duisburg, and looking at the table, nothing much has changed, supposed to be a nice town though.

It's the Union Berlin game as that coincides with the bank holiday over here. I've been in touch with 1860 who told me that they'd confirm the kick off some time in March but I didn't realise that there were quotas on Monday night games. Here's hoping for a Friday or Saturday kick off but to be honest, Unterhaching looks like a pretty good back up.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

I'm properly excited about my holiday now, not been to Germany before and from what I am reading... people friendly, lot's of footy, beer... Am like a kid counting off the sleeps til I go. And it's ages away.

 

[jt64]

I've been in touch with 1860 who told me that they'd confirm the kick off some time in March but I didn't realise that there were quotas on Monday night games.

I don't think there's anything official on that point, but they've already played 5/20 on a Monday and already have another one scheduled vs Ingolstadt, which is well above average. Plus they're playing crap so won't make good telly

edit - as for when they actually decide the times, it should be some time shortly after when they've drawn the next round of the Champions/Europa leagues

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I was in England this weekend to sort some family business out. I decided to take the game in on my way to the tunnel.
I really thought after the results in the cups, bar Preston, that we were building a legacy. I still the think the signs are mainly positive. We do have some talented players. However, yesterday the team looked disjointed and lacked cohesion. It looked to me as if the players seemed scared to take risks. It actually reminded me of teams that played zonally in the 80's. Yesterday's performance aside, I still think we will sneak in to the championship this season. I must say, respect to the supporters who travelled all that way, spent all that money to watch that.
The positives: I really like Adams, huge potential. Coutts looks good.

For those that want Clough out, I would ask this.
1: who would we get in his place?
2: players like Brayford, for one, are here because of Clough.

One would hope that Clough would have learned from his Derby experience. He built a team that when allowed to express themselves, by a new manager, really took off. I really think that Brayford, who has the respect of the players, fans and Clough, should take Clough to one side and have a word. They should be allowed to express themselves as they have done in the cups.
The whole experience yesterday was, how can I put this, shit. I left before the 2 goals, as I couldn't see us scoring and I had a crossing booked. I think I have frostbite, somebody scratched 'Kraut' into my car bonnet and to round the day off I hit snow after Dortmund and had to drive the last 100 k's at 30 mph.

Tarpaulin and duct tape, it will be like new.

 

[Canterbury Blade]

I'm properly excited about my holiday now, not been to Germany before and from what I am reading... people friendly, lot's of footy, beer... Am like a kid counting off the sleeps til I go. And it's ages away.

The last two weeks of the season are confirmed (as they all play at the same time), so if it's coinciding with the game vs Nürnberg you're fine. If it's the one against Union then it might change, but they've probably used up their quota of Monday night games by now.

HillmortonBlade - I'm doing a similar trip in April, think most of the options have been covered. Augsburg's the only non-Bayern option in the top division, have standing ticket for their game vs Schalke which I'm pretty excited about, in the second you've got Ingolstadt, although they're somewhat known as an Audi plastic club, otherwise it's 1860 or up to Nürnberg or Fürth, cheap enough to get there w/bayern ticket although it's a bit of a trek. 3rd division there's Unterhaching as mentioned, or Regensburg, who were pretty terrible when I saw them play last season vs Duisburg, and looking at the table, nothing much has changed, supposed to be a nice town though.

Lads,

You will have a great time. However, check the game times as the TV schedule means games are played at various times and days. Equally, Europe can push things back so allow a little flexibility. I usually have a back up lower league game tucked away. Tickets are ok to get except Schalke, BVB and Bayern where they are a little harder, though if you pay the internet touts you will get one. Some places only send to a member or a German address, but I've chatted up a hotel before now.

Bars in munchen are great. Be wary though that smoking laws are different and some pubs are designated smoking pubs. Ok if that's your bag, but not mine. Check out the old ice factory about 2 km out of town. Its a complex of about forty bars in an old ice factory and they cater for most needs. Was smaller last time I went and there were rumours of it closing, so check out the web. A great stag do location if its still there. If it isn't there will be somewhere else as the crowd was too profitable not to.

Advice on the ale carting. I enjoy an ale or dozen but the bars go onto seven in the morning, so pace yourself or accept you will be bladdered. It was a bit of disgraceful fun carrying my brother up the hotel stairs as decent folk came down for breakfast. Try it!

The market area is good to go and eat sausages and drink beer. The sausages are all you need to eat, thou the brave in our party go for kebabs....

Drink Augustiner above anything else it's brilliant. Lowenbrau is second in my book and you can do the big beer halls in an evening. You have to go to the hofbrauhaus but it was too touristy for me , the bar opposite on the corner with the Augustiner in a wooden barrel tapped in front of me was orgasmic.

Anyway, I'd best cease or someone will tell me off for trying to help you out and not talking about united. Actually, a bit of light relief from thinking about where our season has gone. If I can help anymore let me know.

 

[fuerstenberger]

Grumpy Blade, that made me laugh and cry, both at the same time.

To those coming here, football fixtures can be found on the website Bundesliga.com. It is in English as well. Fixtures are on a bar near the top, just move along to find the dates.

I'm in Nord Rhein Westphalen, close to the border with Hessen. Don't know much about Munich, München. Been there about 6 times for work. Didn't see or drink much.

If anyone needs a German address to post to then PM me and I will send them on to you.

 

[R&WStripedBlood]

Koenig Pilsener from my days in NRW. Nearly shot my bolt when I found a pub in Chippenham selling it the other week.