Geordie Al's Groundhopper Scrapbook: Bohemians 1905 0-3 Hradec Kralove, Sunday 31st July 2016

Monday, 1 August 2016

Bohemians 1905 0-3 Hradec Kralove, Sunday 31st July 2016

Bohemians 1905 0-3 Hradec Kralove, Czech Liga, att. 4,832

Welcome to ....

Visiting ‘Dolicek’ (The Dimple), the home of Bohemians, reminds me of Viktoria Zizkov, another Prague side; one main stand and 3 roofless sides, albeit at Dolicek there’s nothing behind one goal except for portacabins and other buildings. It has an air of clutter about it, in a good way. The main stand is also a lot more modern than at Zizkov, giving it a slightly less romantic feel, but the greenery, both of the seats and shrubbery around, make up for it. Even the programme showed pics of the trees being trimmed as part of the preparations for the season. The things you don’t think about….

Half time,overlooking the river behind the main stand.

I’d walked from Zizkov, funnily enough, more or less a straight run, cutting through the Prague suburbs. It was a decent stroll – the hills help – and it took the best part of an hour, but this is Prague! Where better to be wandering through neighbourhoods?

I emerged at what was the home end, but with the inconsistent drizzle of the day, I had my eyes set on the posh seats, under that main stand roof. The first entrances I came to belonged to the away side (Hradec Kralove). The home entrances lay further around, on the opposite side. Match tickets were CZK 230 in the main stand, and 150 everywhere else.

Away turnstiles.

Disappointingly, my ticket was in the 3rd row, near the corner flag. However, someone was already in my seat. I’d expected a low turnout, but the stand was very busy. But I climbed to the back and found a pew on the last row, needing to duck under a girder to get there. Perfect – where I would have chosen to sit anyroads.

I was at the far end, 1st half.

Opposite were the away fans and their ‘stand’ as such, consisted of perhaps 3 lines of seats. But nobody sat and they bunched up to maximise their huddle. Maybe there were 200 of them. Either way, they kept up their noise throughout.

Overlooking proceedings, from behind the away fans, were 5 or 6 storey flats with probably the best view of all. Some tenants watched, while another’s was simply covered in laundry.

The away fans, inc. the 'Crime Boys' (!?)

The Bohemians’ ultras were behind the far goal, to my left. Although nominally seated, the central part was kept as terracing. This means that everyone tends to stand anyway, if you want a view. But people understand that. A cheerleader stood on a platform directly behind the goal, rousing the folks.

The home end.

The match was thus far the first one on my holiday where I’d seen BOTH sides try to attack, so it was quite exciting (though the finishing didn’t match). Bohemians in particular threatened, coulda had 2 or 3 (they had one rightly disallowed for offside) but had none. Half time, 0-0.

I went for a wander. I’d been in the club shop with the aim of getting a t-shirt with a kangaroo on it (Bohemians once went on a tour of Australia and have since appropriated the ‘roo for their badge – shame the mascot’s outfit looked a bit ‘budget’, but I digress). Spoilt for choice, I’d have bought a couple, but I had a budget of my own. I’m now the proud owner of a green ‘t’ sporting a kangaroo and ‘Bohemians Praha’ on it.

Can I be a kangaroo boy?

I’d also had a beer pre-match, noticeable mainly for the deposit on the (plastic) glass costing more than the beer itself. I kept mine – I’ve quite the collection of plastic glasses. However, the queues at half time and during the second half were too long for me to bother.

I adventured to the other end of the stand and found I could wander freely behind the goal. While the odd fan p***ed up against a fence, I walked up the terrace to check out the view. It seemed all fence – so I went back to the steep main stand, but not before I got a couple of hits of marijuana. How very bohemian!

The view from behind the goal.

While dotting about, I missed the opening goal. 0-1 and the Hradec fans let off a small smoke bomb. Not long after it was 0-2, a right wing cross being expertly turned home by a covering defender. That was it, game over, yet Hradec still had time for one more break as the left winger cut inside, cut inside a bit more, and drove it into the far corner.

Hradec fans celebrate.

Bohemians fans seemed reigned rather than angry. I suspect they’ve seen it all before. They DID seem pleased with the crowd figure though, 4,832. A respectable number, given big boys Sparta and Slavia often only pull 8-9,000. And unlike those 2, a visit to Bohemians has character and is highly recommended!

Behind the other goal.

The Damage:
CHK 230 ent
CHK 20 programme
CHK 30 beer
CHK 50 glass deposit
CHK 300 t-shirt
= CHK 630

The Tunes:
Silver or Lead (Ursula Rucker)
Ma’at Mama (Ursula Rucker)
Drone Logic (Daniel Avery)