Just wondering if anyone had a more roundabout route to the match than me and my mates. We were due to leave London 8.30 by the less glamorous option of coach. We arrived in plenty of time, collected tickets and waited at our gate. Coming up to half eight with no call I went to ask the fella at the Eurolines desk what was happening only for him to point at our departing departing departed coach.
"you were supposed to check in half an hour ago" I was told by a decidedly arsey member of staff.
Bowsy: "I have been here 30 mins and wasn't told that".
Arsey :"well there are plenty of Euorlines staff outside there who could've advised you".
B: "What? Through those doors that say for your own safety don't leave terminal until called??"
Without any option we blindly got the next bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais and then asked what the options were. Hopped on an extremely infrequent "courtesy" bus that cost £1.50 to the train station and caught our best option - the next train to Lille. At this stage my mate was getting greyer by the minute and I think if I had told him to take it "Ici now" one more time he would have hit me with the nearest blunt object. From Lille managed to get a train to Paris and rocked into town quite impressively at 6.30 local time. We headed straight for the hotel but our attempt to check in was met with the now not unexpected response of 'there appears to be a problem with your booking' - "Quest ce le f.....?"
The problem was sorted by some fair helpful staff but it's now past 7.30 and we are no where near the ground. Grabbed a taxi and got to the ground about 8.15. Grand, now all I have to do is meet someone I've never seen before and get tickets without the remotest bit of reception. Easy!
Was due to meet at Paddywhack outside the metro station. Unfortunately the Gendarme I spoke to directed me to the Train Station on the opposite side of the stadium. I was pacing a hole in the ground at this stage. Ten minutes before kick off finally got some reception, got to Paddywhack and met up with the very out of breath Captkeen to get tickets. Ran back and got to seat perfectly for kick off. Still hoarse now from all the roaring/singing.

Also may I add fair play to Captkeen. Top man who went above and beyond the call of duty to get the tickets to us when a lesser man would've written it off. A gent who even endured a night of beer (and Baileys!) with me and my lot post game before heading off several sheets to the wind at 2am with some ambitious plans to get up at 8am and organise the family. I hope - no intend - to return the favour at some stage.