Slovakia (A) - the game

[bennocelt]

Jesus that was riveting stuff!

[twoenz]

I think that's the creepiest video I've ever watched.

[pineapple stu]

If ever you need proof that booking these trips takes a bit more than "four hours to get there, and about an hour to book flights and hotel online", this trip is it.

No you don't. You have proof that you should wait till a venue is confirmed. It still takes four-ish hours to get there and about an hour to book flights and hotel online. In fact, it's the exact same as going to Bratislava except you've to get an extra train. The sky is falling!!!!

And my heart bleeds for Abbey Travel. How much have they ripped Irish fans off for over the years? The expense of a redundant video is minimal by comparison.

[mypost]

You have proof that you should wait till a venue is confirmed. It still takes four-ish hours to get there and about an hour to book flights and hotel online.

Which takes longer than the above to find out. The longer it takes, the more the fares increase, the less accommodation is available, etc...

[pineapple stu]

The venue's been announced in plenty of time to book the trip, even if there was farting about by the FAI.

Prices start going up once the venue is announced, so that point is moot. Ditto accommodation.

[Lenny82]

Anybody have a link to book train tickets from Bratislava to Zilina? Is the train station in Bratislava near the airport?

[pineapple stu]

Train station is in town I think. Not near the airport anyway.

Try here or here for train tickets, but they'll be available on the day without any hassle I'd say.

[mypost]

The venue's been announced in plenty of time to book the trip, even if there was farting about by the FAI.

Prices start going up once the venue is announced, so that point is moot. Ditto accommodation.

2 months is not enough time for international games. That's why these draws are made 6 months in advance. Research missions, hotel availability, ticketing issues, and routine spot checks among other things have to be arranged and negotiated by FA's. It's not a 5-minute job. The 5-minute approach is what caused the logistical issues in Saipan, and we all know what that led to.

For fans, prices don't wait until venues are announced before going up, they increase all the time. As the wait goes on, less accommodation becomes available, and that's in the bigger cities, let alone Zilina. Next year, the Russian trek requires visas, an extra issue that takes significant time and money to accommodate for, more than "an hour to sort out".

[MariborKev]

Train station is in town I think. Not near the airport anyway.

Try here or here for train tickets, but they'll be available on the day without any hassle I'd say.

Tickets? Surely it will just be like the Bratislava to Prague train the last time i.e a complete scrum.

No thanks, we'll be driving.

[pineapple stu]

Tickets? Surely it will just be like the Bratislava to Prague train the last time i.e a complete scrum.

No thanks, we'll be driving.

I'd imagine this one not being a double header, the fact that there's a nice big recession going on and the fact that there mayn't be tickets for everyone in Zilina would mean that it'll be a quieter train journey this time?

2 months is not enough time for international games. That's why these draws are made 6 months in advance. Research missions, hotel availability, ticketing issues, and routine spot checks among other things have to be arranged and negotiated by FA's. It's not a 5-minute job. The 5-minute approach is what caused the logistical issues in Saipan, and we all know what that led to.

None of which is relevant to any of us.

For fans, prices don't wait until venues are announced before going up, they increase all the time. As the wait goes on, less accommodation becomes available, and that's in the bigger cities, let alone Zilina. Next year, the Russian trek requires visas, an extra issue that takes significant time and money to accommodate for, more than "an hour to sort out".

From www.GuidetoRussia.com - you can get an invitation in a day, and then you just post stuff to the Russian embassy. And in any event, that's irrelevant as we already know the game is going to be in Russia, and it doesn't matter where in Russia.

I'd be very surprised if priced in Zilina were going up all the past few weeks given no announcement had been made about the game. And I'd be even more surprised if any significant amount of it has been booked out six weeks in advance.

Do you ever actually think anything through, or do you just moan by default?

[mypost]

I'd imagine this one not being a double header, the fact that there's a nice big recession going on

A what?

None of which is relevant to any of us.

It's only our country's FA that have to organise/distribute our ticket allocation, liaise over security procedures to be put in place for our fans on the night, research hotels, transport, and training pitches to facilitate our players. It's actually quite a bit to do with us. That's why they were aghast at the change of venue in the first place.

you can get an invitation in a day, and then you just post stuff to the Russian embassy. And in any event, that's irrelevant as we already know the game is going to be in Russia, and it doesn't matter where in Russia.

The second sentence means nothing. As for the first sentence, you don't post stuff to the Russian Embassy. Given the rough nature of the trip, most people will probably go by tour operators, and they'll handle the visa applications instead. I've seen the fees for them on the Embassy's website and they're not cheap, while you're always advised to send the docs in with plenty of time to spare. It all takes time and money, and that's before you step on the plane.

I'd be very surprised if priced in Zilina were going up all the past few weeks given no announcement had been made about the game. And I'd be even more surprised if any significant amount of it has been booked out six weeks in advance.

Accommodation in Zilina is at a premium at the quietest of times, and many will have to stay somewhere else, while there were rumours from the very start that the game was going to be played there.

Do you ever actually think anything through, or do you just moan by default?

I moan when I have to. I think plenty of things through about trips, weigh up all the options and possibilities and come to a decision. You appear to take a much more carefree approach. Each to their own.

[MariborKev]

Yeah,

To be fair PS, I had hotels booked in all possible venues in Slovakia months before the announcement. Plenty of others the same.

As for your train- you forget all the Slovaks going back to Bratislava and the fact that the suppor(both sides)t will have been drinking all day. Quiet? I think not.

[pineapple stu]

The second sentence means nothing.

I'm sick of trying to argue reason with you, so I'll just pick on this one.

You're giving out about the venue being confirmed at "short" notice. You think it "means nothing" to say that the venue for the Russia game will definitely be in Russia, and regardless of where exactly in Russia, you'll still need a Russian visa, so your comment about that was irrelevant.

Kev - technically I said the train journey would be quieter, not quiet.

[mature saint]

Game defo in Zilina, I got quoted € 350 for a transfer for a group of 8 from Brat to Zilina, leaving Brat at 1430 and returning after the game. The price included use of local driver and a 9 seater mini bus.

Has anyone heard of buses / coaches being arranged from Brat? We have a group of 6.

[Lionel Ritchie]

It's not just the fans who have wasted time, effort, and money. Abbey Travel have got in on the act, filming, compiling, and releasing a video that is now 90% worthless.

Jesus - is that Blizzard of Odd show still on RTE? If you're going to bother making something like this why not write down something you intend to say beforehand so you don't constantly sound like you're nervously explaining to a guard why you've your langer in hatch of a litter-bin?

Also why get someone who evidently has advanced parkinsons to hold the camera?

That bar the Dubliner is supposed to be a right spot and all. Didn't look bad there in broad daylight but apparently it's a magnet for the local gob****e element.

[shaneker]

Just to help people out, http://www.ticketportal.sk/default.asp will be selling tickets to the game from 12/09/2010, so if you can't get one from the FAI, it's another option.

Information is from the Slovak FA's site, here http://www.futbalsfz.sk/vstupenky-slovensko-rsko/, where it also confirms the stadium will open 2 hours before KO.

[Girl in Green]

Hav'nt heard of anyone arranging Coaches myself yet....can you make contact with them again and get a price for a Coach as I reakon a Coach will be cheaper and we'd definitely have the numbers.....you have 6 persons, I have 5 and I know alot of others are wondering are Coaches being lined up......heard the YBIG were looking into it but no further update as yet.......best to start making our own enquires and see what we can come up with!!!!

[AidoP]

Hi all. Has anybody received the application form for tickets for this game yet as I've sent 2 emails and haven't heard anything back from the ticket office yet? Thanks.

[Girl in Green]

Don't worry.....nothing received yet, I'd say you'll have something this week or early next week.....reckon they are getting the Andorra fixture outta the way....no doubt it's not too far off!

[obi-1 kenobi-0]

Don't worry.....nothing received yet, I'd say you'll have something this week or early next week.....reckon they are getting the Andorra fixture outta the way....no doubt it's not too far off!

Received this from them last week."
You have been added to the applicants' list for this match, and you will be sent an application in the next few weeks..


Regards,


Ticket Office"

So not to worry, should be on the way.