EL R2 Feyenoord v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Crown Hill]

Is the end we’ve got the same one we had in 82?

we'll be in the south east side behind the goal on the top tier in a perspex box. We'll barely be heard even if we score a goal

So presumably it is the same end and they haven’t reversed the away end behind the goal?
Sounds like we’ll be much higher up than we were then. Perspex sounds a bit…well like some of the other ones recently :/

I think he’s may have replied to the wrong post? Still none the wiser. We weren’t necessarily in the away end in 82 as neutral venue. Our fans were to the right of the camera.

[Crown Hill]

The treatment and facilities for away fans at European grounds is truly awful. It’s always high up in a corner with nettings all around and total isolation from general crowd. Compare that to how we treated say Bologna fans with pitch side seating etc and full access to all UK fried chicken and kebab shops in Witton Road🤷🏽‍♂️

Which is why it’s best to ensure you’re fed and watered before you get there. Some of the ground we’ve been to have been ok, Leipzig was fine, Bruges a total shithole, Bern ok, Alkmaar ok for watching but shite out of town bullshit. I thought Ajax was a bit shite as well with that net. PSG was average but more because of that arsehole bloke on the PA. All in all the European football experience is ok but the way you get treated is disgraceful. Oh and Monaco, a god forsaken shithole and the ground wasn’t great either.

A god forsaken shithole you say? The home of F1 drivers and UK millionaire/billionaire exiles leaving the UK in their droves we’re told. Maybe they’ve got it wrong….apart from the F1 bit and they’re hardly ever there due to work commitments.

Monaco was lovely. Castle, Church, cliff top walks, niche shops, bars and cafes in narrow cobbled streets. One Casino in a scenic square with Belle Epoque architecture. On match day they made sure Villa supporters didn’t see any of that and escorted them straight in and out and back to Nice.

[Somniloquism]

Just looked and Feyenoord sit top of the league after 7 games having won 6 of them so I’d expect a tough game.

Already lost one in Euros though TBH, this and Fenerbache are the only two games I'm expecting dropped points in.

[NeilH]

Dutch Lion here and former contributor here. Just a few tips for those coming over here for the game. First and foremost, this is unlike any crappy European stadium you will have been to before, yes there is a net in front of the away end, but De Kuip has an atmosphere unparalleled in Dutch football and the stadium oozes history. Away fans are housed behind the goal to the right-hand side, but not in the corner and close enough to enjoy the atmosphere. Don't get freaked out when the ground shakes, it's been built this way, and it literally vibrates under your feet when everyone is jumping.

Getting to the stadium is pretty easy from the centre, either take the bus or take the train to the stadium station which opens for matches. Post-match there will be regular trains back to Rotterdam Centraal and ditto buses.

Facilities in the stadium are not amazing, it may be atmospheric, but its pretty dated for a Dutch stadium and getting a drink or going to the loo will require some patience.

For those planning on drinking in town pre-game, I can't give any tips apart from be conscience of your surroundings. Feyenoord fans are passionate, but some of them have a terrible reputation and in fact Dutch hooligans in general have been especially troublesome of late, even orchestrating a nasty anti-immigration riot in Den Haag a couple of weeks ago.

Any specific queries, feel free to PM me

[Somniloquism]

I think the only other question is the away end the same end as Villa had 82?}

(And nice to see you about NeilH)

[Ads]

The treatment and facilities for away fans at European grounds is truly awful. It’s always high up in a corner with nettings all around and total isolation from general crowd. Compare that to how we treated say Bologna fans with pitch side seating etc and full access to all UK fried chicken and kebab shops in Witton Road🤷🏽‍♂️

The only ones with really awful facilities was Brugge and Mostar, although the later was more part of the charm.

Hibs- behind the goal. Standard stuff
Warsaw - same position effectively, just with two tiers. Netting to stop errant mayonnaise.
Alkmaar- in the corner a bit like a smaller Leicester albeit it didn't go to the front.
Mostar- in a box, but there was 1 stand for the entire stadium. Serving ale when they shouldn't have. Netting people with home tickets into the away end. A glorious throw back.
Ajax - high up in the gods, a bit like Newcastle only not as high but way steeper.
Lille - similar to Newcastle, but again not as high. Plenty of netting. Given its this and Paris where its actually gone off, probably fair enough.
Olympiacos- standard corner away end.

Young Boys - two tier job in the corner. Like Loftus Road only with more room at the back, more crushing at the bar and the biggest log you've ever seen in the bogs. Very wet floor.
Brugge- this is a hole. Poor facilities, in the corner, roof doesn't cover it, seats are bolted- not ideal.
Leipzig- the Goodisoon side position but you can see. No issues.
Monaco- felt lile a 1970s leisure centre. Running track puts you a distance away.
Brugge- done
PSG - like a smaller West Ham. Netting to the side is not strong enough to support a grown man jumping on it...

[itbrvilla]

Is the end we’ve got the same one we had in 82?

we'll be in the south east side behind the goal on the top tier in a perspex box. We'll barely be heard even if we score a goal

So presumably it is the same end and they haven’t reversed the away end behind the goal?
Sounds like we’ll be much higher up than we were then. Perspex sounds a bit…well like some of the other ones recently :/

I think he’s may have replied to the wrong post? Still none the wiser. We weren’t necessarily in the away end in 82 as neutral venue. Our fans were to the right of the camera.

At present the player tunnel is to the right of the away fans and bench to the left. May have changed over the last 40 years

[JUAN PABLO]

Id love to go to this after being there with dad and grandad back in 82 , My dad being 80 now , would have been a dream to go together . . As a 16 year old at the time , I only have so much memories of it , seemed to all fly so fast , and would have loved to see if I remember more visiting again.
the thing is I thought at the time there would be so many more being so naive at the time . 

Anyway 1 - 0 Villa . . .  and a dutchman to score it .

[ADVILLAFAN]

One of my oldest friends Dad passed a few weeks ago and it's his funeral on Thursday. He used to take us all in his classic old Land Rover to the games, in the days when I stood on a beer crate on the Holte. He was in Rotterdam in '82 so the fixture is rather more emotive than we first imagined, once the wake is done and dusted we will all sit down to watch the match together. My mate still has the bowler hat that Reg wore at the final so we'll all end up sporting that at some point.

The result doesn't seem that important given the context but I'll take another one nil.

RIP Reg Browne.

Hope we get the right result for Reg. All the best Nev.

[Ads]

We're upper tier behind the goal on the right in HH. William something or other stand.

[Somniloquism]

This is the Leverkusen fans away guide. Can't see it being any different a year later.

STADIUM
Away entrance: Entrances 61-64
Away blocks: GG, FF, HH, JJ
On entering the stadium (see F there will be strict checks (pre-ticket check, ticket scan & body searches)
Alcohol checks are possible – people under the influence of alcohol may be refused entry.
There are no storage facilities.
Payment for food and drink is exclusively cashless
There is a strict smoking ban throughout the stadium and non-compliance can lead to ejection from the stadium.
By purchasing a ticket, the currently valid stadium regulations for the De Kuip stadium and the General Ticket Terms and Conditions (ATGB) at Feyenoord are recognised.

Prohibited items
Bags and rucksacks larger than A4
Far-right ideology and associated symbols
Cannabis and other drugs
Brought-in food and drink
Professional cameras
Tube scarfs, ski masks etc.
Aerosol containers (e.g. deodorants or hairspray)
Umbrellas
Walking sticks (even if required medically)

https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/fans/fan-information-for-away-game-at-feyenoord

[Crown Hill]

Here’s an aerial view of 82. We are to the right. I think we’ve got the same end. I’m in GG behind the goal!

[olaftab]

Thanks for that info Somni...  I better leave my BNP flag at home.

[purpletrousers]

One of my oldest friends Dad passed a few weeks ago and it's his funeral on Thursday. He used to take us all in his classic old Land Rover to the games, in the days when I stood on a beer crate on the Holte. He was in Rotterdam in '82 so the fixture is rather more emotive than we first imagined, once the wake is done and dusted we will all sit down to watch the match together. My mate still has the bowler hat that Reg wore at the final so we'll all end up sporting that at some point.

The result doesn't seem that important given the context but I'll take another one nil.

RIP Reg Browne.

Is anyone putting out a flag for him? Can it be done in time?

[Richard]

Here’s an aerial view of 82. We are to the right. I think we’ve got the same end. I’m in GG behind the goal!

I wasn't there in 82, I'd been to Highbury but Rotterdam was deemed a step too far. Anyone know why it wasn't sold out or were those gaps segregated zones?