BvB 2-2 VfL Wolfsburg
Westfalenstadion
Att: 80,467
17/12/14
When you say to 95% of the population that you're going to watch football in Germany, the reply will often include the words Borussia Dortmund. There is usually disappointment shown when my reply was rather that I was going to places like Rhede or Schwarz-Weiß Essen. It's only natural with them being a powerhouse, not least with the media infatuation with BvB and the famous Südtribune. As such, most would say this is the obvious place to visit, but as with a trip to Old Trafford and the Emirates there was something about this trip that didn't feel 'right.'
I guess the signs were there from the start, we left Breda at around 3:30 and it was only at 7:15 we actually arrived in Dortmund, a journey that usually takes a little under two hours. Once again we'd succumbed to the horrific rush hour traffic between Essen and Bochum. After a brief attempt at trying to find a parking space, we thought better of it and headed to the park & ride from the nearby University. This drops you a short walk from the ground, as you march along amongst the swarm of yellow and black, with us having 10 minutes or so to get into the ground.
The que for the turnstiles are to be expected when 80,000+ people are turning up, but this is when I started to hold a bit of a grudge. Yeah, I get that segregation in Germany is lax at the best of times, but at BvB there is nothing outside, and in the ground it was a bit of tape as ourselves and the Wolfsburg fans we joined were shepherded into one corner. Logistically, there is nothing they can do, but something about it annoyed me. This wasn't helped by the heavy handed nature of the stewards. Those that have seen Wolfsburg play will know that it's akin to Accrington Stanley in League 2. They're there, people don't know how to get rid of them, and there's just acceptance. As such, it was a shock to both of us when the stewards started marching out home fans in the 'away' end. I'm not being funny, but what's the difference between the seats and the concourse other than you can see the pitch?
Having joked about this for a bit, You'll never walk alone was put on the speaker, and I'll admit it was impressive. Perhaps the most impressive I'd witnessed, particularly from the Südtribune opposite. As the game began the atmosphere only faltered. This is most likely because it's 'only' Wolfsburg' and the team is crap, but I'd expected more given how BvB are the golden boys of German football. Certainly, I could've been sat in the Emirates with the noise emitted from the other three stands. Although, I guess I'm looking more at the English football press now, who as ever have a limited knowledge on anything that isn't the Premier League.
A shock was on the card, somewhat, when Aubameyang put them 1-0 up early on, but the ever impressive Kevin De Bruyne levelling from a free kick on the half hour mark. Immobile put the hosts ahead once more, only for Naldo to equalise once more from late on. Now, I'm not one to take pleasure from other clubs fall from grace, but I hope BvB get relegated, only for the games in 2. Bundesliga next year. Particularly against Bochum, MSV (if promoted), Münster and the like. Saying that, surely they have enough to pull away from the drop.
After the game was as unorganised as ever, with a free for all to get on the bus back. While you should visit the ground, for the terrace alone, it isn't the authentic German experience. I'd list several places to go to before Westfalenstadion if going to a game in Germany.
Ps. Who puts butter on the bread for a Bratwürst?
I guess the signs were there from the start, we left Breda at around 3:30 and it was only at 7:15 we actually arrived in Dortmund, a journey that usually takes a little under two hours. Once again we'd succumbed to the horrific rush hour traffic between Essen and Bochum. After a brief attempt at trying to find a parking space, we thought better of it and headed to the park & ride from the nearby University. This drops you a short walk from the ground, as you march along amongst the swarm of yellow and black, with us having 10 minutes or so to get into the ground.
The que for the turnstiles are to be expected when 80,000+ people are turning up, but this is when I started to hold a bit of a grudge. Yeah, I get that segregation in Germany is lax at the best of times, but at BvB there is nothing outside, and in the ground it was a bit of tape as ourselves and the Wolfsburg fans we joined were shepherded into one corner. Logistically, there is nothing they can do, but something about it annoyed me. This wasn't helped by the heavy handed nature of the stewards. Those that have seen Wolfsburg play will know that it's akin to Accrington Stanley in League 2. They're there, people don't know how to get rid of them, and there's just acceptance. As such, it was a shock to both of us when the stewards started marching out home fans in the 'away' end. I'm not being funny, but what's the difference between the seats and the concourse other than you can see the pitch?
Having joked about this for a bit, You'll never walk alone was put on the speaker, and I'll admit it was impressive. Perhaps the most impressive I'd witnessed, particularly from the Südtribune opposite. As the game began the atmosphere only faltered. This is most likely because it's 'only' Wolfsburg' and the team is crap, but I'd expected more given how BvB are the golden boys of German football. Certainly, I could've been sat in the Emirates with the noise emitted from the other three stands. Although, I guess I'm looking more at the English football press now, who as ever have a limited knowledge on anything that isn't the Premier League.
A shock was on the card, somewhat, when Aubameyang put them 1-0 up early on, but the ever impressive Kevin De Bruyne levelling from a free kick on the half hour mark. Immobile put the hosts ahead once more, only for Naldo to equalise once more from late on. Now, I'm not one to take pleasure from other clubs fall from grace, but I hope BvB get relegated, only for the games in 2. Bundesliga next year. Particularly against Bochum, MSV (if promoted), Münster and the like. Saying that, surely they have enough to pull away from the drop.
After the game was as unorganised as ever, with a free for all to get on the bus back. While you should visit the ground, for the terrace alone, it isn't the authentic German experience. I'd list several places to go to before Westfalenstadion if going to a game in Germany.
Ps. Who puts butter on the bread for a Bratwürst?