San Marino Away (7th February 2007) - Match Thread

[NeilMcD]

Post any info you have on this trip

[sligoman]

What are the chances of getting match tickets for this one? It's only a small place and fairly handy to get to so I'd say their would be plenty of fans there, so tickets would be hard to come by, yeah? Also, what's their stadium's capacity?

[zinedineontour]

What are the chances of getting match tickets for this one? It's only a small place and fairly handy to get to so I'd say their would be plenty of fans there, so tickets would be hard to come by, yeah? Also, what's their stadium's capacity?

there stadium officially only holds 2210 but 4000 were there when the scots played there ..

[sligoman]

there stadium officially only holds 2210 but 4000 were there when the scots played there ..So it'd be hard enough to get tickets then yeah?

[Forever Dreamin]

According to San Marino FA website their groud holds about 4000 and they are reluctant to play games outside of the state. It is located 10km from Rimini. Nearest airports are Rimini ( no flights from Dublin or UK) Bologna (Ryanair via Frankfort with day wait ) Milan or Rome are probably best bet with train connection.

[sligoman]

Bologna (Ryanair via Frankfort with day wait )Or you could save a day by just going direct to Bologna with Aer Lingus;).

[lopez]

Looks like another Faroes situation. i.e. Can't (or won't) buy tickets? Sit your tush on the hills behind with a carry out. You'll probably still be nearer the action than the highest seat in the Hogan Stand.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/san_marino/serravalle_olimpico.shtml

[Forever Dreamin]

Aer Lingus only fly tues thurs and sat to bologna not ideal for a sat game

[zinedineontour]

Aer Lingus only fly tues thurs and sat to bologna not ideal for a sat game

and your still 125km from san marino

[MariborKev]

You could fly to Ancona or Forli as well

[pineapple stu]

I think a good option would be the early Aer Lingus flight to Rome, tour Rome for a day and then catch a train from Rome to Rimini - departs every hour and takes about four hours, changing in Bologna to get there. Then hop on the bus the last few miles. Bit awkward, but could be worse, I suppose.

[Forever Dreamin]

No matter which way you go its going to be the longest trip regards travelling time, and when you get there it'll take five minutes to travel from one end of the country to the next! Still it should be a great trip

[Saint Tom]

note lads there are no train stations in San Marino itself

[Ash]

note lads there are no train stations in San Marino itself

There's an hourly bus service from Rimini as far as I know

[NeilMcD]

You can fly to Venice With Ryan air and the train to Rimini takes just over an hour I think. Stay in Rimini and bus it to the game.

[pineapple stu]

Couple of links...

San Marino tourism (http://www.visitsanmarino.com/)
San Marino tourism eile (http://www.sanmarinosite.com/)
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino)
Italian rail (http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html)
A map of Italy (http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.clickthesun.com/italy/images-italy/map_italy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.clickthesun.com/italy/seafront-villas-italy/map-italy.htm&h=1093&w=900&sz=265&tbnid=cUuY71H8QUYJ:&tbnh=150&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmap%2Bitaly%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D&oi=imagesr&start=1)
San Marino FA (http://www.fsgc.sm/)

Incidentally, after ten seconds, the chant should be "Are you watching Ingerland?!":p

[Junior]

You could fly with Ryanair Stanstead > Ancona (135km from San Marino)

or from Dublin to Venice with BMI, Ryanair or Aerlingus.

Alot of regional airports in the UK do this route (Jet2.com etc...) so it might be worth combining a cheap flight from Ireland to the UK and onwards for there.

This link is good, not 100% but a good starting point when planning your routes.

http://www.skyscanner.net/map

[Jerry The Saint]

Anyone know if the full 6 Nations fixtures for next year have been officially announced yet? If it follows the last few years we will play Italy in Rome on the 1st weekend - i.e. the weekend before the San Marino game. :)

[HarpoJoyce]

The fact we are playing San Marino on an unfashionable Febuary 07 shows what a weak negotiating position Ireland were in.
( Note other unfashionable date Aug. 22 San Marino v. Cyprus).

I think its very much a minnow fixture.

If it was on the Tuesday there's half-a-chance of getting to a proper Int. friendly.

Still this is very far-sighted. Well Done.

Anyone know if the full 6 Nations fixtures for next year have been officially announced yet? If it follows the last few years we will play Italy in Rome on the 1st weekend - i.e. the weekend before the San Marino game

[Ash]

I think I'll be doing the old cannonball run:
Athlone->Dublin->London->Ancona->Rimini->San Marino :D

[zinedineontour]

said in the paper today game in bologna so keep eye out for that ..

[pineapple stu]

Hope not. No point in playing San Marino if you don't get to go there.

Speaking of which, here's the local castle (http://www.aerenlund.dk/rimini/san_marino_by.jpg)!!

[gspain]

They haven't played in Bologna for a few years now. Bologna would make tickets a lot easier to get. You can always go visit the place even if the game is in Bologna. I did the tourist trip there during Italia 90 and it was OK but just seemed a bit of a tourist trap.

Midweek in February is not an attractive trip for a lot of fans. It will most likely be very cold there as well. Tickets might be a bit tight but not as tough as a saturday in June or September.

[Forever Dreamin]

according to san marin fc web site game will be in san marino, agree should be played there, been to italy before never been to san marino

[Saint Tom]

i would like to be able to add san marino to the list

[pineapple stu]

Speaking of which, here's the local castle (http://www.aerenlund.dk/rimini/san_marino_by.jpg)!!
Must correct myself - that's not the local castle, it's the capital!!!:eek:

[oconghc2]

fair few of the scots apparently flew to venice and then train to rimini (like one of lads said here). Apparently Rimini would be best place to stay - loads of hotels but the travelling is biggest issue i suppose not forgetting tkts.

[Junior]

Lads, I flew with this crowd from London to Florence (peanuts). Florence is only a short train journey up towards Bologna etc....


http://www.meridiana.it/IG/pages/home_en.aspx

[Helen Donegan]

Hi there:)

I am from Belfast and live in Perugia with my 14 year-old son, Patrick (of course). I have been in Italy 30 nearly 30 years now, including 3 years in the Rimini area where I still have friends.

My first experience in helping football fans travelling independently to Italy was with Dundee in 2003 http://www.italywithus.biz/ezine/12oc/page3.htm#title. Then some of the Dundee people asked me to help them when Scotland played in Milan last Easter and that lead to me bringing about 500 Scots to Ljubljana from the various airports they flew into in Italy.

Basically I help organise the easiest and cheapest way of travel from any airport to your accommodation (this means you can take advantage of more cheap flight options), get group deals with hotels, transportation to and from the match (if needed), answer questions about various aspects of visiting Italy and bits and pieces like bargaining down the prices of drink, organising parties etc. In Milan I was also able to get extra tickets for hundreds of the Scots.

I earn my keep by offering a good service with low price x large numbers. I also contribute without any payment by helping with train tickets, giving information etc. I have asked permission to help on this forum because I know some people hate to think of others using a board for their own benefit. If I am not welcome there is no problem, if anyone want to contact me directly I will help them via my own site/message board. I take the view that answering questions and giving details of services available etc. on an open forum guarantees (as much as is possible) the best and most honest help possible. Every thing is more transparent:p

I am a "regular" on a few forums so it won't be difficult to find people who know me - I hope we can become friends too:D

[Helen Donegan]

fair few of the scots apparently flew to venice and then train to rimini (like one of lads said here). Apparently Rimini would be best place to stay - loads of hotels but the travelling is biggest issue i suppose not forgetting tkts.

Rimini in February is dead but that can be an advantage as well - means a bit of ground work to organise parties etc. but could be great because they would be made to measure:p

[Helen Donegan]

They haven't played in Bologna for a few years now. Bologna would make tickets a lot easier to get. You can always go visit the place even if the game is in Bologna. I did the tourist trip there during Italia 90 and it was OK but just seemed a bit of a tourist trap.

Midweek in February is not an attractive trip for a lot of fans. It will most likely be very cold there as well. Tickets might be a bit tight but not as tough as a saturday in June or September.

San Marino is a tourist trap but a nice one:) It has duty free status so drink is cheaper there but sometimes it is made there as well:eek: Good shopping for electrical/techno goods - might be nice to stay for the night if the hotels offer good deals and entertainment. Something different anyway. Freezing cold in February, every Scot I have talked to about his experience when they played (that was in October) has mentioned the cold, they say it is the coldest they have ever felt at a match.

[Forever Dreamin]

Helen, I find that hard to believe, San Marino CANT BE COLDER THAN THE FAROES!!

As regards flights we have flights provisionally booked at €250 return Dublin / Bologna do you think we can get better??

[Helen Donegan]

Helen, I find that hard to believe, San Marino CANT BE COLDER THAN THE FAROES!!

As regards flights we have flights provisionally booked at €250 return Dublin / Bologna do you think we can get better??

Bologna is the best airport for San Marino and Dublin-Bologna with Aer Lingus is very handy. Dublin-Treviso (Ryanair) would probably be the next best. What dates have you booked? This is all going to be a balancing act of comfort V price. Bus journeys from Pisa, Rome and Milan - Rimini are all around 4 hours, the journey by train is the same of a bit longer and you have to change trains.
Just jotting down ideas! :D
Flights via UK usually add up to spending more money in the end and wasting time at airports.
All in all I would say you have a good deal for the comfort and ease of your journey.
I am inclined to say that everyone should book the very best deal they can get with the flight and then we can sort out travel in Italy from this end. No reason a bus journey can't become a bus party and some where nice on the way.:cool:

Now - how's that for an Irish answer? :p (I am usually even more long winded during the day!! LOL)

[gspain]

Thanks for the info Helen. Probably easier to rent a car from whichever airport we end up in.

[Helen Donegan]

Thanks for the info Helen. Probably easier to rent a car from whichever airport we end up in.


Oh yes - that is another option and car hire here seems cheaper than in Ireland. Be careful with the drink though, things seem more relaxed about drink-driving in that there isn't much of a chance of the police stopping and testing you etc. but if you are involved in an accident you will be in terrible trouble:eek:

[Ash]

Helen, I find that hard to believe, San Marino CANT BE COLDER THAN THE FAROES!!


I ended up getting sun burnt in the Faroes!!!!

[green army]

i read in the paper at the weekend that lansdowne road is being used for rugby the saturday before and after the san marino game. the fai were trying to get san marino to switch the fixtures ie. play away to san marino on november and at home to the in february. did anyone else read this.

[Forever Dreamin]

i read in the paper at the weekend that lansdowne road is being used for rugby the saturday before and after the san marino game. the fai were trying to get san marino to switch the fixtures ie. play away to san marino on november and at home to the in february. did anyone else read this.

I reckon it's typical crap from the press. FACT There is a Rugby match in Croke Park on the Sat after the San Marino game in Feb. This is the first game to be played and the GAA already made it clear Croke Park is only available in March x 2 Oct x 2 and Nov x 2 with 4 games allowed out of the 6 dates and no friendlies.

[pineapple stu]

Helen, I find that hard to believe, San Marino CANT BE COLDER THAN THE FAROES!!
The Faroes wasn't cold! Rainy and windy and all, but not too cold. However, I can't believe that the San Marino game will be colder than a game in Bray! :p

[Forever Dreamin]

The Faroes wasn't cold! Rainy and windy and all, but not too cold. However, I can't believe that the San Marino game will be colder than a game in Bray! :p

It was lovely and warm watching the faroes game in Synnots on stephens green, still got my unused match ticket...wonder could i swap it for a german or san marino ticket!!

[Forever Dreamin]

Just booked flights and hotel.

BA Dublin 815am Mon 5th to Gatwick arrive Bologna 1650

Return leave Bologna 1205 Arrive Dublin via Gatwick 1725

Price €256 inc taxes

Grand Hotel San MArino 4 star €88 twin €110 triple room www.grandhotel.sm

looking forward to it now!!

[Helen Donegan]

Just booked flights and hotel.

BA Dublin 815am Mon 5th to Gatwick arrive Bologna 1650

Return leave Bologna 1205 Arrive Dublin via Gatwick 1725

Price €256 inc taxes

Grand Hotel San MArino 4 star €88 twin €110 triple room www.grandhotel.sm

looking forward to it now!!


I have talked to someone in the San Marino federation of football, they say the their match against Germany will be played in Bologna but the other matches in San Marino - they did give a word of warning that nothing can be confirmed until 2 months before the actual match.

I have also got quotes from hotels in San Marino for group rates - including the Grand Hotel San Marino (€85 for twin, €111 for triple) and a hotel that only have 26 beds so you can take over the whole hotel (works out €30 per person on average).

I am not convinced that San Marino is the best place to stay, it could be great if there is the right crowd etc. I am heading for Rimini in a week or two to see what I can offer from there - does anyone have any questions etc that I can try and help you with while I am there?:D

[Peadar]

I have talked to someone in the San Marino federation of football, they say the their match against Germany will be played in Bologna but the other matches in San Marino

They obviously haven't been watching the last qualifying campaign! :rolleyes:

[Helen Donegan]

They obviously haven't been watching the last qualifying campaign! :rolleyes:


What do you mean?:confused:

[Ash]

What do you mean?:confused:

Ireland will probably bring more of an away crowd than Germany

[Helen Donegan]

Ireland will probably bring more of an away crowd than Germany

Oh I am sure of that:D I was at Genova and Rome for Italia 90 - saw the numbers and felt the pride:cool:

[Peadar]

...saw the numbers and felt the pride:cool:

We had over 35,000 in Paris for the France game.
14,000 in Nicosia for the Cyprus game.
2,500 in Tel Aviv for the Israel game.

Need I go on?

[Ash]

Oh I am sure of that:D

Surely then they'll move our game to Bolonga if theres a
big crowd expected?

[lopez]

If they play one game in Bologna, I reckon they'll have to play all of them there. Remember the 1984 European Championship when Holland got Malta - under suspension - to play in I think Aachen just over the border. Like a home game hammering them 6-0. We of course ended up going to the building site pitch in TaQali.:rolleyes: Anyway, it sounds to me it'll be full of snow (global warming notwithstanding) in San Marino in February. More reason to have it in Bologna.

Bologna for the Germans, it's Bologna for us, FFS.

[Helen Donegan]

Surely then they'll move our game to Bolonga if theres a
big crowd expected?

I wouldn't know - probably to ask the FAI to push for that - I have contacts in the Italian FA but would have to ask around if someone knows someone in San Marino before I can get a definite response;)