Here is the report from the ground-hopping Germany trip a couple of weeks ago:
"5 Euros each gained Wilkie Tourists access to the Max Graser Stadium on the Friday evening for the LANDESLIGA derby between Fellbach and Bachnang,a short hop from the centre of Stuttgart by U-bahn. On a balmy evening in front of 170 spectators in the single covered stand the home side took the lead with a thunderbolt into the top corner; the visitors equalised with an equally well struck half volley before half time in an evenly contested game. The ebb and flow continued in the second half until Backnang scored a contentious winner to trigger over zealous celebrations, with the home defence claiming foul play. Fellbach 1 Backnang 2. An enjoyable start to the weekend's footie".
"Wilkie Tours went to the impressive Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart the following afternoon (Saturday) for the penultimate round of Bundesliga fixtures. A sell out 60,000 crowd created a magnificent atmosphere, unfortunately after taking an early lead the home side showed just why they had lost six on the bounce, they were poor. Mainz equalised and should have taken the lead before half-time. The second half was a different matter with the away side threatening to score at will on the break, regularly denied by the rookie home keeper as he faced a number of one on one situations. Mainz managed two more goals and won comfortably to continue their Europa League qualification ambitions. By the final whistle the home crowd were in an angry mood and the ultras had fallen silent. A large group of ultras broke through the barriers and entered the pitch in order to confront the dejected home players. Fortunately nothing more serious than finger wagging occurred. It looked certain that Stuttgart, Bundesliga champions in 2007, will be playing in the 2nd division next season. Stuttgart 1 Mainz 05 3. Wilkie Tours head for the third and final game of the trip on Sunday at Sandhausen in Bundesliga 2".
"Another scorcher of a day in the south west of Germany. Wilkie Tourists visited Heidelberg before joining the hoards of Duisburg fans for the game at Sandhausen. The away side were desperate for points with this being the penultimate game in their battle against relegation from Bundesliga 2, which was evidenced by at least half of the (8,000) spectators wearing the blue and white hooped shirts of Duisburg. This created a fantastic atmosphere as both teams battled out a goal less first half in the searing heat of the afternoon. In the second half the home side were two goals to the good with 15 minutes to go when the visitors began their fight back to equalise much to the delight of their army of fans. We got caught up in the emotion of the day as we were sat amongst away fans behind the goal Duisburg were defending in the second half. Sandhusen 2 MSV Duisburg 2".
We bumped into a fellow ground-hopper and German football enthusiast in the departure lounge on the way out from Gatwick. Robert Conway was also going to the Fellbach and Stuttgart games! We met up with him in the small crowd at the first game, he was amongst the ultras in the second.
Afternote: Stuttgart were indeed relegated after a final day defeat at Wolfsburg; Duisburg avoided automatic relegation and face a play-off against Wurzburger Kickers who finished third in Bundesliga 3; Duisburg are 2-0 down after the first leg and play the return on 24 May.
"5 Euros each gained Wilkie Tourists access to the Max Graser Stadium on the Friday evening for the LANDESLIGA derby between Fellbach and Bachnang,a short hop from the centre of Stuttgart by U-bahn. On a balmy evening in front of 170 spectators in the single covered stand the home side took the lead with a thunderbolt into the top corner; the visitors equalised with an equally well struck half volley before half time in an evenly contested game. The ebb and flow continued in the second half until Backnang scored a contentious winner to trigger over zealous celebrations, with the home defence claiming foul play. Fellbach 1 Backnang 2. An enjoyable start to the weekend's footie".
"Wilkie Tours went to the impressive Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart the following afternoon (Saturday) for the penultimate round of Bundesliga fixtures. A sell out 60,000 crowd created a magnificent atmosphere, unfortunately after taking an early lead the home side showed just why they had lost six on the bounce, they were poor. Mainz equalised and should have taken the lead before half-time. The second half was a different matter with the away side threatening to score at will on the break, regularly denied by the rookie home keeper as he faced a number of one on one situations. Mainz managed two more goals and won comfortably to continue their Europa League qualification ambitions. By the final whistle the home crowd were in an angry mood and the ultras had fallen silent. A large group of ultras broke through the barriers and entered the pitch in order to confront the dejected home players. Fortunately nothing more serious than finger wagging occurred. It looked certain that Stuttgart, Bundesliga champions in 2007, will be playing in the 2nd division next season. Stuttgart 1 Mainz 05 3. Wilkie Tours head for the third and final game of the trip on Sunday at Sandhausen in Bundesliga 2".
"Another scorcher of a day in the south west of Germany. Wilkie Tourists visited Heidelberg before joining the hoards of Duisburg fans for the game at Sandhausen. The away side were desperate for points with this being the penultimate game in their battle against relegation from Bundesliga 2, which was evidenced by at least half of the (8,000) spectators wearing the blue and white hooped shirts of Duisburg. This created a fantastic atmosphere as both teams battled out a goal less first half in the searing heat of the afternoon. In the second half the home side were two goals to the good with 15 minutes to go when the visitors began their fight back to equalise much to the delight of their army of fans. We got caught up in the emotion of the day as we were sat amongst away fans behind the goal Duisburg were defending in the second half. Sandhusen 2 MSV Duisburg 2".
We bumped into a fellow ground-hopper and German football enthusiast in the departure lounge on the way out from Gatwick. Robert Conway was also going to the Fellbach and Stuttgart games! We met up with him in the small crowd at the first game, he was amongst the ultras in the second.
Afternote: Stuttgart were indeed relegated after a final day defeat at Wolfsburg; Duisburg avoided automatic relegation and face a play-off against Wurzburger Kickers who finished third in Bundesliga 3; Duisburg are 2-0 down after the first leg and play the return on 24 May.
The view from the terrace at Fellbach.
View of the stand at Fellbach.
The MB Arena, Stuttgart.
Stuttgart Ultras in full voice.
Sandhausen stadion.
Duisburg fans out in force.
In a biergarten, where else?
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