Sadly you're right there gary.....I think after Christmas many a cupboard will be bare!:(Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
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Sadly you're right there gary.....I think after Christmas many a cupboard will be bare!:(Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
except for those pesky public servants who have loadza money!!!!
Rome Milan Genoa or Florence.At last a statement from the Italian federation,In todays Irish Times . Reading between the lines, capacity, expected Irish support, I feel San Siro is now the favourite
I don't think they'll take our travelling support into consideration that much. Milan or Rome would be best though as we'd get more tickets.Quote:
Originally Posted by SUB of the day
Article here
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...828911852.html
Rome might not stage Ireland qualifier
ROME IS no longer favourite to stage the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Italy on April 1st. Although no decision has been made, media speculation yesterday suggests the Olympic Stadium in Rome may not be the venue. writes Paddy Agnew
Two months ago, Rome had looked like the number one choice for the Irish game. But yesterday the Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that, following a visit to Rome by Uefa president Michel Platini, the Italian capital will no longer be the venue.
Platini attended the recent AS Roma v Chelsea Champions League game to check out the stadium with a view to the 2009 Champions League final which is due to be staged there in May.
Although he gave the Olimpico a resounding vote of confidence as the venue for the Champions League final, Platini, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, was concerned about the possibility of "incidents" during the Ireland game little more than one month before the final.
Contacted by The Irish Times yesterday, a spokesman for the Italian Football Federation, Antonello Valentini, denied the Platini-Champions League speculation: "No decision about the Italy v Ireland game has yet been taken. The venue will be decided probably late next month, not before.
"At the moment, there are four candidates - Florence, Genoa, Milan and Rome - and they all still stand. Platini and the Champions League final have nothing to do with the Ireland game."
Under Fifa regulations, national associations are required to name the venue for a World Cup qualifier 90 days before the game. In real terms, the federation has until the end of December to decide on the Ireland game. Even if World Cup qualifiers and Champions League games are different considerations, one suspects that the Olympic Stadium was probably not much helped by Uefa's decision, announced yesterday, to open a case against AS Roma over "the setting off of fireworks and obstruction by spectators of the exits in one section" during the Chelsea game. The case is due to be heard by Uefa's control and disciplinary body on December 11th.
Earlier this month, Eugenio Giani, the sports officer for Florence Town Council, told reporters he was hopeful the Ireland game would be played at the Franchi Stadium. Giani said that, after speaking to both the federation president, Giancarlo Abete, and to Italy coach Marcello Lippi, there was "a concrete possibility" the game would be played in Florence.
Traditionally, the Italian team do not have a national stadium where they play all internationals, but rather go out "on tour". Where there is a guaranteed strong away following, as seems sure in the case of Ireland, the federation opts for one of the bigger stadiums. In that context, the Olympic Stadium's capacity is around 80,000, while the "Franchi" in Florence holds 47,000, the "Ferraris" in Genoa 37,000 and the "Meazza" at San Siro, Milan, 80,000.
Given it is estimated that up to 15,000 Irish fans may travel for next April's qualifier, the Italian federation will choose one of the biggest stadiums available. For example, the recently-built Olympic Stadium in Turin has already been ruled out because it holds only 25,000.
Until a decision on a venue has been made, the federation cannot confirm how many tickets will be available to Irish fans. Valentini, however, does not predict problems on that front, saying that the Italian federation will do all they can to meet the FAI's ticket requirements.
Aer Lingus Dublin to Milan Linate mon am flight return from Milan Malpensa thurs evening great value €110 inc taxes. Watch the prices rocket if Milan or Genoa gets the match!
I still have a funny feeling it will be Rome!!!
Trapattoni is a Milan native, and counts AC Milan as his first managerial appointment. Could happen, but I'd imagine he'd get a far harsher welcome in Rome.Quote:
Originally Posted by SUB of the day
Based on recent experiences in Italy I don't think tickets will be easy to obtain unless got from the FAI.
The Italians have toughened up ground entrance rules a lot in the last couple of years and I would expect anyone trying to get into the Italian end without an Italian ID to be denied entry. No chance of a France-like taking over of the ground.
AFAIK they haven't been as strict with the national team games. They don't have the same hooligan problems eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
I'm told you can just show your passport to buy Serie A tickets. Is this no longer the case?
This is still the case generally, but 'high risk' games can have restrictions put on them.Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
Yeah, they can demand proof of address etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Good Son
I was at an inter game a year ago and the only way to buy tickets was through a bank. Bit bizarre going into a bank to buy tickets. Had to bring my passport and our names were printed on the tickets. Werent asked for id going into the ground though. So buying tickets on internet from an Italian ticketmaster may not happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
Tickets were great value though €27 and the stadium was rocking.
There is a rumour going around Radio Italia (italian radio station, like TalkSport) that it will be played in Napoli (n.b. I wouldn't trust what Radio Italia say very much, their sources are usually along the lines of "my mate overheard a conversation on a train").
Napoli's supposed to be a bit of a dump, isn't it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Went to some games there during the 1990 WC. It was dirty and dangerous then. Haven't been back. Very passionate football fans though.
isnt it quite literally a dump at the moment due to a long running binman dispute?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
a bit out of date but i think its still an issue...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7418558.stm
Thinking of booking Milan now, still a bit nervous it will be in Rome though. Anybody know how much the trian from Milan to Rome is? I cant seem to find online
Cheers lads
there's about 30 or 40 booked into Milan Linate on the mon morning, if its not milan we will probably hire a bus to whereever, should be cheap enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Naitch
Grand stuff will book away now! What day are you guys returning home from Milan?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Naitch
Out to Milan Linate Mon Am
Return from milan Malpensa Thurs pm
Both with aerlingus was about €120 all in
Any sign of white smoke on this or when exactly white smoke is expected - are the Italian FA having a meeting anytime soon ie this side of Xmas ?.
No sign. They have to decide by Jan 4th. Delaney was interviewed over the weekend and said he didn't know either. He had heard whispers of Florence. The FAI don't have to be consulted of course.
John Delaney in phone tapping scandal.:)
Nothing from Dougal or Zeberdee I assume?Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
http://i35.tinypic.com/zu59g2.jpg
Do the Italians normally leave it this long to name the venue?
The suspense is killing me :P
Given the experiences of these qualifiers so far, this game will definetly not be on in rome.
Dublin-Tbilisi-Montenegro-Dublin.6 flights booked : 1 used, 2 additional flights and a 20 hr boat journey was required to be booked.
Dublin-Sofia-Dublin: 4 flights booked, 4 more had to be booked because of czech air pull out from dublin.
Have Dublin-Rome-Dublin : 4 flights booked, no doubt rome wont be the chosen one.
if we do qualify for S.A., prepare for more flight booking chaos!!! :D
Aidz - did you ever get any money back from the Tbilisi flights ? I eventually got my full refund from Air Baltic last month after a bit more to and froingQuote:
Originally Posted by aidz1
I get the impression that the Italians are going to be ackward and go for somewhere out of the way like Bari. The south of Italy doesnt seem particualy well served especially if you are looking to do tue-thur
How Aidz? They told me they'd give me nought.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
Colie it was a bit complicated but in shortQuote:
Originally Posted by Colie
Air Baltic originally changed the return flight from Riga to Dublin from a Fri afternoon to a Sat morn which didnt suit so we got a refund as we were going home by another route (via Berlin)
Months later the russians invaded which made the rest of the flights useless with the game on in Mainz. After a bit of toing and froing we were offered a full refund because they had changed their flight months before - didnt really understand their logic but after they confirmed the offer of a full refund we bit their hand off.
Should of been refunded 2 months ago, they kept telling me that they had refunded me in Jul but they only made the offer late Aug. I think Green Tribe got some money refunded on the Tbilisi legs with Air Baltic - check the old thread
I got a full refund in the end too with some help from GT (owe you a beer in Italy). I booked with expedia - out with Air Baltic and back with Czech Airlines. Czech were great (going to miss them) but it took a few calls and follow ups. I got called in Montenegro to be told I was getting the refund but didn't get it until a few weeks ago after more followups.
We got a full refund for the flights in and out of tbilisi which was good as it was over €300 each.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
We claimed our tax back on other flights (riga-tahlinn-dubrovnik etc). Was little but better in our pockets for the sake of an email.
As far as I understand and I thought this was confirmed, the game will be played in one of four cities, Genoa, Milan, Florence or Rome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
Don't think it's been mentioned yet on this thread (searched and couldn't see an posts) but I see Abbey Travel are offering a package deal on "a plane which can fly to any Italian airport with hotel rooms and guaranteed match tickets in Rome, Milan, Bari, Naples or Palermo." for €749-€799 ex airport taxes. I know it's on the steep side but can pay in instalments and would remove the uncertainty from trying to make arrangements. Does anyone know if they've successfully done something like this in a similar situation (late announcement of venue) previously and are they any good/can they be trusted?
Only if you believe the people who said it was definitely Rome. You can throw Naples and Bari into that list btw too. Out of those 6 you probably do have the venue.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
In reality I doubt if the Italian FA have given the venue too much thought. They have plenty of options and when they need to decide they will. It is a big call for many of us but unfortunately not too high on the priority list for them. If they decide on Rome then everyone will be happy and congratulate themselve son calling it correctly despite not having a clue. If they decide on elsewhere then it will all be the FAI's fault.
With the way the economy has gone, a wednesday kick-off and the wait on tht italians to decide the venue, i reckon there'll be 4000 irish max at this game..
Vertical inclineQuote:
Originally Posted by eaststand85
more like, flights/train £250 max, hotel 2 nights £200 max, ticket £50 max and probably a lot less
liking these offers of beers :D
I wouldn't trust the italians to name a half decent venue, it could be anywhere fummily enough. Not booking anything, waiting on the venue confirmation.
More like 400 at the prices offered.Quote:
Originally Posted by aidz1
Nobody will shell out €750 for individual trips anymore, and it's time the travel companies acknowledged that, and cut their prices. :mad:
Ya would love to go but the prices are crazy!
Probably keep the few quid for our european games.
Try Bologna very central and much cheaper and you can get to most Italian cities from there. If its down south not so great though.