VfB Stuttgart II 2-0 1.FC Saarbrücken, att. 950 (3.liga)
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I feel sorry for 1.FC
Saarbrucken fans. Not only are their
team absolute garbage, they play in a 35,000 capacity stadium with 4,000 supporters rattling around, it's as far away as anywhere in Germany (by the French border)
and they're not even as good as some other sides’ reserve team. Also, they have the ignominy of a local village
team (Elversberg) now elevated to their
level.
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| Stadium plan |
This was poor fayre,
make no mistake. Stuttgart had drawn one
and lost two of their opening three games, yet Saarbrucken played for a draw at
best. Never did they commit any more than a couple forward, as their confidence
looked rock bottom. I should arrange a
game for them against my Sunday morning team.
Either gain the confidence of inflicting a hammering or realise playing
football is not the profession for them.
Win-win.
Stuttgart II looked
faster and looked like they could pass the ball to each other. Shame about the finishing, but you can't have
it all at this level. I think they took
the lead from a corner but it's all a bit hazy…
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| Match action |
While never looking
like scoring in a gazillion years, Saarbrucken were broken (sorry) at will, yet
it wasn't till the last kick Stuttgart made it 2-0, a break up field, the
centre forward held it up and the big sub strode forward to lash the ball into
the top left with his bottom left.
Seemed a popular goal, judging from the reaction of fans and players
alike. Seeing as how much better the sub
looked to everyone else, I suspect a 1st teamer back from injury. Then the ref blew for full time leaving the
players to do that 3.liga thing where they walk around the pitch shaking hands
with the fans through the perimeter fence.
Mind, when there's almost as many players as fans…
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| Fans line up to shake hands with the winners. |
Saarbrucken brought
maybe 300, and, pound for pound, one of the largest groups of ultras I've seen. Perhaps only the maddest, loyalist fans are
left, following a side this bad (goalkeeper excepted). How they've even won a game so far, I don't
know. But what a crucial one it was,
beating village tenants Elversberg.
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| Saarbrucken wave their flags. |
Getting to/from the
Waldau Stadion? 6 stops on the U-Bahn from my hostel (line 7) to Waldau.
You can't go wrong, just turn left when you exit the station. The stadium has two open ends, one for the
away fans, while I stood on a covered terrace opposite the Main Stand. The stadium, shared with Stuttgarter Kickers,
is big enough at this level, though there is a distinct lack of atmosphere when
watching a side’s under 23 team. German
football could do without letting these sides play at a professional
level. No chants whatsoever from the
home fans, and why would there be?
The Damage:
€10 ent
€3 beer (x2)
€3 wurst
Free prog (4 page teamsheet)
= €19
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| Main Stand |
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| Main Stand entrance |
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| Main Stand, with tower. |
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| Back of (unused) terrace. |
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| The Main Stand (from outside). |
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| Saarbrucken team coach |
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| Stadium sponsors |
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| Back of the covered terrace |
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| Ticket booths |
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| Looking towards the closed terrace. |
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| Looking towards the away end. |
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| The teams line up. |
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| Is that floodlight leaning backwards? |
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| Match action |
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| Is that a plywood ceiling? |
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| Us and them. |
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| Roof supports |
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| Stuttgart players come to shake hands at full-time. |
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