I'm sure most of you know of St. Pauli and many of you have probably been to see them play. Having followed them from afar for a few months now, I have just got back from Hamburg having seen them play for the first time.
I went with a friend who's seen them play a few times before, and coupled with things i'd heard from others, i kinda knew what to expect. How wrong i was.
I was blown away. Everything about the game/team/ ground/ atmosphere was incredible. I went over to Germany expecting a good time (at the game (and in general)) but I can't wait to go see them play again. Quite possibly my best football experience to date ( i have been to a fair few games in my time, Brighton, England and some Premier league + non league games).
The game itself was immense, any one who claims England has some of the 'toughest' leagues in the world (not for difficulty) has never seen German football (or at least football below the Bundesliga). I honestly believe there were a few times when in England players would have seen straight red (there was also a fair bit of diving), and later on hearing the Stockport score this was confirmed! St. Pauli were playing Duisburg, on the back of their biggest away win (5-0 i believe) and they were in the mood to continue this form. starting the game brightly and finishing it so. The game finished 2-2 and had everything, a penalty, sending off, players fighting as they entered the tunnel at half time, 'slimey' ref, one on one miss against the away keeper, good penalty shouts, hitting of the post, goal line clearances, a late opportunity for the home team - which seemed to go in slow motion when the keeper got a toe to the ball (would it creep in or not...).
To make things better, the game started with the entire crowd (away fans included) singing you'll never walk alone (to which i swear only me and my friend knew the words for the verse - everyone else just sang the chorus!), which although i'm sure Anfield or Park head sound better singing this song, having never been to either, it was immense to see/hear this iconic song in the flesh.
Anyone who doesnt know any thing about St. Pauli - when they score, they play song 2 (Blur) which causes mass jumping around across the ground with all of the terracing effectively becoming one huge mosh pit (kinda fun but also kind of scary when you are pushed from behind!)
All in all i loved it. I could only speak highly of St. Pauli, and i'm sure others will have negative things to say, whether it be personal experience or a disagreement with the clubs political standing, but from my point of view one of the best football experiences i've ever had.
Friendly fans, good atmosphere and good beer! oh and cheap tickets!
on a quick note, the fanladen (English : Fanladen St. Pauli) were extremely helpful. really nice guys working in there, and the fans who hang around there were all brilliant. Brought our tickets at face value (as always) from them, and they gave us a free beer with this, and the offer to hang around the fanladen as long as we wish. beers after the first free one were all extremely cheap. i believe we paid 1.50 euro a bottle for Astra, which is far more expensive in other places (only lidl sold it cheaper! - but smaller bottles).
any way, i'll stop going on about my time there, just wanted to say how much i enjoyed it.
Has anyone else been? (i'm sure this FIXTURES) and what are your thoughts?
or have you been to another foreign game and had a good/bad experience?
I went with a friend who's seen them play a few times before, and coupled with things i'd heard from others, i kinda knew what to expect. How wrong i was.
I was blown away. Everything about the game/team/ ground/ atmosphere was incredible. I went over to Germany expecting a good time (at the game (and in general)) but I can't wait to go see them play again. Quite possibly my best football experience to date ( i have been to a fair few games in my time, Brighton, England and some Premier league + non league games).
The game itself was immense, any one who claims England has some of the 'toughest' leagues in the world (not for difficulty) has never seen German football (or at least football below the Bundesliga). I honestly believe there were a few times when in England players would have seen straight red (there was also a fair bit of diving), and later on hearing the Stockport score this was confirmed! St. Pauli were playing Duisburg, on the back of their biggest away win (5-0 i believe) and they were in the mood to continue this form. starting the game brightly and finishing it so. The game finished 2-2 and had everything, a penalty, sending off, players fighting as they entered the tunnel at half time, 'slimey' ref, one on one miss against the away keeper, good penalty shouts, hitting of the post, goal line clearances, a late opportunity for the home team - which seemed to go in slow motion when the keeper got a toe to the ball (would it creep in or not...).
To make things better, the game started with the entire crowd (away fans included) singing you'll never walk alone (to which i swear only me and my friend knew the words for the verse - everyone else just sang the chorus!), which although i'm sure Anfield or Park head sound better singing this song, having never been to either, it was immense to see/hear this iconic song in the flesh.
Anyone who doesnt know any thing about St. Pauli - when they score, they play song 2 (Blur) which causes mass jumping around across the ground with all of the terracing effectively becoming one huge mosh pit (kinda fun but also kind of scary when you are pushed from behind!)
All in all i loved it. I could only speak highly of St. Pauli, and i'm sure others will have negative things to say, whether it be personal experience or a disagreement with the clubs political standing, but from my point of view one of the best football experiences i've ever had.
Friendly fans, good atmosphere and good beer! oh and cheap tickets!
on a quick note, the fanladen (English : Fanladen St. Pauli) were extremely helpful. really nice guys working in there, and the fans who hang around there were all brilliant. Brought our tickets at face value (as always) from them, and they gave us a free beer with this, and the offer to hang around the fanladen as long as we wish. beers after the first free one were all extremely cheap. i believe we paid 1.50 euro a bottle for Astra, which is far more expensive in other places (only lidl sold it cheaper! - but smaller bottles).
any way, i'll stop going on about my time there, just wanted to say how much i enjoyed it.
Has anyone else been? (i'm sure this FIXTURES) and what are your thoughts?
or have you been to another foreign game and had a good/bad experience?
I've seen Brovian's avatar, but that's about the extent of my familiarity with them. Should we know them? Are they twinned with BHA? (Serious questions). 
