Geordie Al's Groundhopper Scrapbook: Fola Esch 1-2 Ostersunds, Thursday 3rd August 2017

Friday 4 August 2017

Fola Esch 1-2 Ostersunds, Thursday 3rd August 2017

Fola Esch 1-2 Ostersunds (Europa League 3rd qualifying round, 2nd leg, att. 1,590)

Welcome to ....

For the first time ever, I was seeing a game in Luxembourg. Nothing against the place but their sides are normally knocked out by the third qualifying round of European footie. Not this year. Hot on the heels of Progress Niederkorn’s toppling of Rangers, Fola Esch were hoping to overcome another surprise outfit, Ostersund of Sweden, conquerors of Galatasaray in the previous round. Fola had given themselves half a chance, only losing the first leg 1-0.

I was stationed in Trier for this one so needed two trains to reach Esch. I was due in 15 minutes before kickoff, cutting it fine as usual, but the stadium was virtually next to the station according to Google Maps. What it didn't point out was the hill in between and therefore the circuitous route to get there. So I was late and joined the queue of other latecomers.

The queue was going down nicely when there was some kind of ruckus at the front and people started dispersing towards the main gate. Why, the stewards were only opening the gates to let everyone in for free! How bizarre. Had they run out of tickets and decided to let the rest of us in anyway? Once in, virtually every seat was taken but there was space to stand. Against UEFA convention but no-one minded, and before echoes of ‘Hillsborough’ are invoked, ‘busy’ at Fola means a crowd of 1500.

The pitch, surrounded by an athletics track, had one stand which stretched about halfway into each half, while opposite, seats were bolted onto an open terrace. With room to stand at the back, that’s where I perched. I surprised myself by bagging a spot close to the halfway line. The ultras were to my left near the corner flag. I think they numbered three, plus one of their sons. Basically, it was a bloke and his mate on a megaphone while a third beat a drum while barely anyone else joined in the entire time. You have to start somewhere.

Crowd segregation.

As for Swedes, I didn't think there were any till they scored, when about 20 or 30 in the main stand erupted as well as a few odds and sods in the open seats. There was no segregation to speak of. Another advantage to a stadium of such limited facilities was that one could queue up for a bratwurst while watching the action, which is how I came to see Fola take the lead at the start of the second half with a looping header. The scorer then celebrated by cupping his hands to make the sign of a heart. I’d have chalked the goal off there and then. Fola had though been excellent in the first half and deserved their lead. Could they hold on?

A couple of wily scamps sneak a view.

Well, we got the answer within 5 minutes. Ostersunds put a ball down the left and while the keeper went down far too early, the striker lifted it over him with ease. 7 minutes later, Ostersunds won it, a header off a corner. Fola had been more than a match but they were out.

One of the downsides of getting in for free is that you don't back a souvenir match ticket. I saw someone holding his, so I know I saved €10 tonight, but on the way out I saw the box full of the tear-offs from the match ticket. So I helped myself to a couple and headed back down the hill to the station. I still had to get to Trier…