Groundhopping24

  Long-time readers (or someone that just so happened to read my second blog about MŠK Žilina) will be aware that despite visiting MŠK Žilina’s stadium, I didn’t actually see them play. Well this week’s blog will be working in a similar vein, only this time it’s a trip to Austria Wien’s ground to watch *checks notes* Qatar v Chile? Okay then…   I’ve attended some random fixtures over the years (a goalless draw between United Koreans of Japan v Kabylie at Bracknell Town in June springs to mind), but this fixture would take its rightful place amongst the strangest. From Tring Athletic at the start of the month to watching the World Cup hosts (booo! etc) in Vienna at the end, life moves fast these days.   The Road to Qatar (Austria Wien) I’m writing this on the Wednesday after the game, which is thankfully a national holiday in Czech Republic. This played a huge part in the decision to attend, as getting back late wouldn’t be too big an obstacle.   We pick...

  The Road to Brno The great thing about this week is already being in Brno, although given my earlier attendance at Vyškov, I did actually need to hop on the train back to Brno, followed by one of the abundant supply of trams. Easy peasy.   I have to admit to arrogantly assuming all would go to plan before Saturday and writing the above in advance. In actual fact, things did not go according to plan. At all.   My plan had been to attend another game for a blog next week, given the international gap. That game was supposed to be MFK Vyškov v SK Prostějov, but some idiot (me) forgot to check that MFK Vyškov definitely played in Vyškov rather than nearby Drnovice. It wasn’t all bad though, as I still managed to watch MFK Vyškov U19s play out a 1-1 draw against SK Hodonin U19s. What is life if not a lesson though, eh?   The nonsense didn’t end there. As nice as Vyškov was, I had to get back to Brno. Regrettably the RegioJet train was delayed. By an hour....

On Thursday, I arrived into Brno to start probably the most exciting chapter of my life and career. As I write this on Saturday night, I’ve barely had a moment to take a breath, but I wouldn't have it any other way.    On landing, I had one eye on the first of many Saturdays I would spend at various Czech, Slovak, Austrian or Polish stadia (and beyond of course). This Saturday was to be Trinity Zlín v Zbrojovka Brno, and also my first time in with the away fans at a Czech game.   The Road to Zlín A journey that is a lot simpler and quicker by road, the rail and bus route to Zlín takes a bit of a ‘round the houses route so to speak, passing through Břeclav on the Austrian border, right the way back up to Otrokovice, where we’d change trains for the final leg to Zlín.   Once in Zlín, I was struck by the behemoth of a power station, as well as the numerous tall buildings that I hadn’t really come across anywhere else in the Czech Republic so far. The cooli...

Though the bulk of these blogs will look at trips within the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Austria, there will be times when I venture beyond these four beautiful countries, especially given that I haven’t actually moved to Brno just yet. One of those occasions finds me in the beautiful commune of Dudelange.   The Trip to Dudelange I paid more for my train from Stansted to Stevenage on the way home than a return flight to an entirely different country, but enough about the frankly abysmal and extortionate UK railway system. It was only   £17 for a return thanks to Skyscanner’s Explore feature, which allows you a look at some of the cheapest return flights from anywhere. A glimpse at Luxembourg as one of the options offered something unique to sink my teeth into.   I landed at Luxembourg airport, taking the free public transport (yep, that’s right) toward my hotel in Dudelange, arriving late on a Saturday night. I took more pride than necessary in the fact...