Europa League 2010/2011 (Final : Aviva Stadium, 18th May)

[geysir]

Half those suits in the 5 rows behind Platini look like they are about to drop dead any minute.

[Stuttgart88]

Crowd was very vibrant from what I could tell. The match wasn't very memorable, but the Queen's speech was, in my opinion.

[geysir]

It's a sad night for football when a European final is eclipsed by the Queen's speech.

[geysir]

I was more interested in the game than the Queen was in having a sip from her pint.

[tetsujin1979]

Not long back, delighted I went.
Porto fans had about 2/3 of the stadium, Braga seemed to be limited to most of the upper tier of the West stand.
Saw loads of flags in the rest of the west, Croatia, Holland, Liverpool, Germany and even the US!
Porto fans definitely made the atmosphere worth it, even if the game itself wasn't great. Place erupted after the goal went in.


note to FAI security staff, this proves people can be trusted with flags in the stadium

[passinginterest]

Very much enjoyed it too. Apart from the people who sat in the wrong seats around us and then refused to move which resulted in a lot of back and forth with stewards and confused folk looking for their seats, ruined a lot of the first half and they still didn't manage to sort it out until half time.

The stewards trying to make the Braga "ultras" group sit down and spread out into their seats didn't help the atmosphere first half. Where they were all tightly gathered it did look a little dangerous, but it looked like it was going to turn nasty at times and it kept disrupting their singing as more and more Gardai and stewards attempted to move them and started pulling individuals out. A few objects where thrown at the bottom tier too in the second half when some refs decisions went against them, but nothing too substantial.

Had a great view of the goal and the Braga miss in the second half. The header from Falcao was pure class, although the non-existant marking certainly helped. Ref probably bottled sending off the Porto right back when he might have had a second yellow, although there was a bit of a dive from the Braga player I thought.

[Red Army]

Very much enjoyed it too. Apart from the people who sat in the wrong seats around us and then refused to move which resulted in a lot of back and forth with stewards and confused folk looking for their seats, ruined a lot of the first half and they still didn't manage to sort it out until half time.

The stewards trying to make the Braga "ultras" group sit down and spread out into their seats didn't help the atmosphere first half. Where they were all tightly gathered it did look a little dangerous, but it looked like it was going to turn nasty at times and it kept disrupting their singing as more and more Gardai and stewards attempted to move them and started pulling individuals out.


I hate that day tripper mentality. Robots who hate to sit where their ticket says. It's typical of the modern 'fan' so I shouldn't be surprised. When we played in the cup final last year our support stood where they wanted 500 ish lads all mobbed up like a terrace no one complaining. With the numbers we had when the flares where lit off stewards couldn't do a thing I think this is the way it should be. Good to hear Bragas lads defended their section from them goons I bet stewards didn't try to move into Portos ultras section because of the numbers they had? I hate that stadium mainly due to those goons they hire. Get a real job.

[jbyrne]

I hate that day tripper mentality. Robots who hate to sit where their ticket says. It's typical of the modern 'fan' so I shouldn't be surprised. When we played in the cup final last year our support stood where they wanted 500 ish lads all mobbed up like a terrace no one complaining. With the numbers we had when the flares where lit off stewards couldn't do a thing I think this is the way it should be. Good to hear Bragas lads defended their section from them goons I bet stewards didn't try to move into Portos ultras section because of the numbers they had? I hate that stadium mainly due to those goons they hire. Get a real job.

so if someone spends over a €100 on a ticket its ok for someone who spent half that to take their seat??
your idea of seating may be ok with a few hundred fans but in a stadium pretty much sold out there would be carnage.

took in this match last night and while the match was terrible i really enjoyed the atmosphere. stadium looked great also and i was proud of it.

believe it or not there are seats in hampden that you cant see one of the goals from. i dont know if they are actually used or not but the seats are there and blocked by a wall. couldnt believe what i saw

[Red Army]

You say you enjoyed the atmosphere but but having seat numbers forces like minded lads to go and sit in different parts of the ground instead of standing together. There was 36000 at our cup final with the bottom tier sold out and didn't cause problems. If you pay one hundred euro to watch a game of footbal you're a mug and deserve to what you get. it's day trippers paying ridiculous amounts of money that's killing football.

[passinginterest]

You say you enjoyed the atmosphere but but having seat numbers forces like minded lads to go and sit in different parts of the ground instead of standing together. There was 36000 at our cup final with the bottom tier sold out and didn't cause problems. If you pay one hundred euro to watch a game of footbal you're a mug and deserve to what you get. it's day trippers paying ridiculous amounts of money that's killing football.

I can see both sides to a degree, it was ridiculous the stewards interfering with the Braga Ultras, but I'm sure there was some pressure from a health and safety perspective. In the section we were in, it was all Irish day trippers, nobody was standing and it was just a pain in the arse that a few people who couldn't be bothered sitting in the right seats caused a load of disruption and distracted from the start of the game.

[DeLorean]

If you pay one hundred euro to watch a game of footbal you're a mug and deserve to what you get.

So a guy that wants to go to a game so badly that he's willing to spend €100, even though he knows it's a complete rip off is a mug? I've paid €70 plenty of times for run of the mill Irish matches, and although I was fully aware I was being absolutely rode, I was still happier to pay it than watch it on tv. There's no way in the world I would have just accepted sh!ttier seats than the ones I paid for because a bunch of guys wanted to put their arms around each other and sing Olé Olé.

[jbyrne]

I can see both sides to a degree, it was ridiculous the stewards interfering with the Braga Ultras, but I'm sure there was some pressure from a health and safety perspective. .

maybe it was the bottles that rained down from them onto the porto fans in my section that prompted action. nothing too serious but was regular enough during the match, particularly the 2nd half

[passinginterest]

maybe it was the bottles that rained down from them onto the porto fans in my section that prompted action. nothing too serious but was regular enough during the match, particularly the 2nd half

Nah it was very early in the game. I didn't see any objects being thrown until the second half and to be honest the stewrds didn't seem to do much at all about that. They came from a bit further back of the main group too.

[Red Army]

So a guy that wants to go to a game so badly that he's willing to spend €100, even though he knows it's a complete rip off is a mug? I've paid €70 plenty of times for run of the mill Irish matches, and although I was fully aware I was being absolutely rode, I was still happier to pay it than watch it on tv. There's no way in the world I would have just accepted sh!ttier seats than the ones I paid for because a bunch of guys wanted to put their arms around each other and sing Olé Olé.
Typical paddy of the past 10 years. Yes he is a mug and so is someone who pays 70euro. This is the reason why football is over priced with middle class idiots jumping on the bandwagon. Look at Germany where there is a strong fan culture, ticket prices are around 10euro because supporters won't let the greedy clubs take advantage of them and will boycott games if they are been ripped off.
Stick to the rugby if you like been ripped off pal....

[jbyrne]

Typical paddy of the past 10 years. Yes he is a mug and so is someone who pays 70euro. This is the reason why football is over priced with middle class idiots jumping on the bandwagon. Look at Germany where there is a strong fan culture, ticket prices are around 10euro because supporters won't let the greedy clubs take advantage of them and will boycott games if they are been ripped off.
Stick to the rugby if you like been ripped off pal....

ok then. someone with a €30 seat has it taken by someone who paid €15. fair? or do you think seats on the halfway line should be the same price as one at the corner flag?

[tetsujin1979]

some photos from the final: https://picasaweb.google.com/tetsujin1979/EuropaLeagueFinal2011?feat=directlink

[Red Army]

It should be the same price yeah different prices is only an excuse to rip off the public, when your up in the heavens of the top tier naturally it should be cheaper.Stewards checking tickets at the exits will make sure everyone goes to the correct tier. I don't agree with all seater stadiums completely over the top health and safety if 30% of every ground was terrace If you be "fair" for people who like to sit in silence and for those who want to support their team with more passion but that's a different discussion.

[DeLorean]

I've paid €70 plenty of times for run of the mill Irish matches, and although I was fully aware I was being absolutely rode, I was still happier to pay it than watch it on tv.


Stick to the rugby if you like been ripped off pal....

I thought it was pretty clear that I don't particularly like being ripped off "pal". I've only a passing interest in Rugby, have never been to a game, so I'm not sure how I'm supposed to "stick" to it.


Typical paddy of the past 10 years. Yes he is a mug and so is someone who pays 70euro. This is the reason why football is over priced with middle class idiots jumping on the bandwagon. Look at Germany where there is a strong fan culture, ticket prices are around 10euro because supporters won't let the greedy clubs take advantage of them and will boycott games if they are been ripped off.

You have a valid point us all being mugs for paying that sort of money, but expecting people to sit wherever to accommdate a few more vocal supporters is alien to me.

[Red Army]

Maybe this should be split from the original topic. If all tickets on each tier were the same price and kept at a price where at a price where the working class can afford it would make no difference where you sit because you would have none of this nonsense of I paid more for my ticket. It's nothing to do with accommodating the vocal fans. As I said before having different prices for the same tier is only a excuse to rip fans of more.

[mypost]

I don't agree with all seater stadiums completely over the top health and safety

I don't agree with you. This is why:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/55000/images/_57920_lepp.jpg



Safety is more important than singing.

[Red Army]

Police mainly along with fans rushing the gates late and 8 foot high fencing was the reason for that not terracing. It was used as a excuse to clamp down on football fans and assert more control over them. Again look at Germany where they have perfectly safe terraces.

[mypost]

The authorities clamped down on football fans, by putting steel fences and crush barriers up, and making general conditions at stadiums dangerous. Now people go to and come from stadiums in comfort and safety. Unfortunately it took 96 lives lost, to ensure they do.

[Red Army]

The old pens did a job stopping everyone going behind the goal the crush barriers are there to slow down surges forward the high fences at the front where brought in to stop pitch invasions. The high fences at the front where really dangerous alright but as I already said above the terracing wasn't the reason for 96 deaths. Back on your spaceship now good boy.

[DaveyCakes]

Typical paddy of the past 10 years. Yes he is a mug and so is someone who pays 70euro. This is the reason why football is over priced with middle class idiots jumping on the bandwagon. Look at Germany where there is a strong fan culture, ticket prices are around 10euro because supporters won't let the greedy clubs take advantage of them and will boycott games if they are been ripped off.
Stick to the rugby if you like been ripped off pal....

A small number of tickets in Germany are around 10 euros. Most are in the 25-35 range. And then there the corporate ones...and spare us the class warfare bull****

[jbyrne]

Back on your spaceship now good boy.

oh lord

[mypost]

The old pens did a job stopping everyone going behind the goal the crush barriers are there to slow down surges forward the high fences at the front where brought in to stop pitch invasions. The high fences at the front where really dangerous alright but as I already said above the terracing wasn't the reason for 96 deaths. Back on your spaceship now good boy.

In Germany, the reason terracing works is because the seats are tied up, but every ticket still has an allocated seat number, and everyone goes to stand where their number is. Every block has the same number of seats, and the same number of people.

Here, terracing doesn't work, as everyone wants to crowd unrestricted around the same spot with their mates, meaning too many people in one block and too few in another. Like with Hillsborough, all it takes is one disaster to make everyone see sense.

[Hurt Locker]

I think the organizers just about done enough to get another final. I think access to the stadium down by the dodder beggers belief. But so unlucky to get a team like Braga in the final such a negative physical team.
Sending back tickets to ireland showed not great interest in the match by the people porto.
I think the emirites stadium is just a bit better than the dublin arena because of better facilities food/bar area better layed out, toilets even have music! but the big plus how easy it is for people to move in and out of the stadium.

[elroy]

Talk about trying to get the Super Cup, but I thought that was always held in Monaco?

Was at the game the other night, tickets were pricey admittedly, most of all the 15e service charge. But from my perspective it was a case of when would it ever be as easier to go to a European final. Enjoyed the spectacle, ground looked very well, all was organised very well. Saw a few minor issues with stewards but nothing major. Sitting in the east stand is a bitch as regards getting to the stand, serious walk round. Game was very poor though.

[Hurt Locker]

Imagine what kind of stadium that could have been built on a green field site in Tullamore or Athlone! thats another story. I think it would be great to get the super cup, I think it would certainly be a sell out. Have to say the stewards are more professional/friendly in croke park.

[jbyrne]

Sending back tickets to ireland showed not great interest in the match by the people porto.


i think many porto fans purchased tickets long before they got to the final and when their official allocation was received many already had tickets, hence the returns. there was anything up to 15,000 of them i would guess.
also, i heard that the cost for them to get over was about €1,000, twice the average monthly wage in Portugal


I think access to the stadium down by the dodder beggers belief.

compared to many of the stadiums i have been in we are actually blessed with location and access. i actually think the access is organised very well with leaving the stadium now far quicker than it used to be, particularly from the east stand