Groundhopping

[CosbehFox]

An all time classic today. Swedish football with the perfect blend of England and Germany 

Edited 13 April 2025 by CosbehFox

[CosbehFox]

Sat in Arlanda after a corker of a weekend in Stockholm. I’d be out here in a shot over the summer if it didn’t cost big money on accommodation. 
 

Saturday 

Disappointingly the game at the Olympic Stadium got moved but had an excellent walk around it. You can run around the track if you wish free of charge. I’d just popped a hamstring running Parkrun so annoying as I’d have been back at some point. We went to Sundbybergs to see the home side win 3-1 in the sixth tier. The sun was beautiful and this was a club which was once second tier. Community feel, free of charge, clubhouse. Went to meet our new Hammarby fan to give over tickets and he suggested we meet him at 11am Sunday for pre match beers 

 

Sunday 

Well, what a day. We were treated like kings. Never bought a beer. Had a great time before kick off nearby the stadium. The guy explained he has two extra season tickets through his company. Any money they make goes to charity. Didn’t realise the seat was VIP, best seat in the house and then the locals bought us a scarf each. Glorious weather again. Hammarby much better than a tired Djurgarden with a 2-0 win. Supreme atmosphere, excellent tifos. After the game, a couple of beers and met more Hammarby fans. Conversations about a variety of things. A couple of guys who are big friends with Rapid Vienna. Left feeling incredibly lucky and thankful. 
 

Monday 

After a good day around the town, out to Solna for AIK v Malmo. Awful game but again very good atmosphere. Although at times AIK were very much of the Capo, stereo speak style but there was a point where the atmosphere rocked midway through the second half. Excellent modern stadium. 
 

Couple of things. The Swedes seem to have this healthy mix of German and English style support. There are issues with interruptions with games and pyro (Sundays game was delayed by ten minutes because Djurgarden wouldn’t release the tifo and they were expecting a big pyro show - instead they were revealed to be all wearing blue bin bags.  🤣 The big thing is they are on the 51% membership ownership format which helps drags the clubs in. 

 

 

The cost of everything here - the UK is catching up on food and drink for sure. It’s felt like paying for four days in London. Also feels society wise Sweden is like the UK twenty years behind and it will possibly head our way in the larger cities

[BrummieFOX]

Going to be in Warsaw over the weekend of their League Cup Final, so tempted to go. It's at the National Stadium. 

 

Any advice on attending games over in Poland, buying tickets etc

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, BrummieFOX said:

Going to be in Warsaw over the weekend of their League Cup Final, so tempted to go. It's at the National Stadium. 

 

Any advice on attending games over in Poland, buying tickets etc

Sold out - https://pzpn.pl/federacja/aktualnosci/2025-04-10/bilety-na-final-pucharu-polski-zostaly-wyprzedane

 

Only way would be if you found a member of Legia or Pogon to get you a ticket (Polish your name has to match your ID) but looks like  they go on sale today and they will sell out quickly too. 

[BrummieFOX]

35 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Sold out - https://pzpn.pl/federacja/aktualnosci/2025-04-10/bilety-na-final-pucharu-polski-zostaly-wyprzedane

 

Only way would be if you found a member of Legia or Pogon to get you a ticket (Polish your name has to match your ID) but looks like  they go on sale today and they will sell out quickly too. 

Ahh thank you, my mate reckoned he'd found some but perhaps not. 

[rugbyblue]

On 15/04/2025 at 07:15, CosbehFox said:

 

Sat in Arlanda after a corker of a weekend in Stockholm. I’d be out here in a shot over the summer if it didn’t cost big money on accommodation. 
 

Saturday 

Disappointingly the game at the Olympic Stadium got moved but had an excellent walk around it. You can run around the track if you wish free of charge. I’d just popped a hamstring running Parkrun so annoying as I’d have been back at some point. We went to Sundbybergs to see the home side win 3-1 in the sixth tier. The sun was beautiful and this was a club which was once second tier. Community feel, free of charge, clubhouse. Went to meet our new Hammarby fan to give over tickets and he suggested we meet him at 11am Sunday for pre match beers 

 

Sunday 

Well, what a day. We were treated like kings. Never bought a beer. Had a great time before kick off nearby the stadium. The guy explained he has two extra season tickets through his company. Any money they make goes to charity. Didn’t realise the seat was VIP, best seat in the house and then the locals bought us a scarf each. Glorious weather again. Hammarby much better than a tired Djurgarden with a 2-0 win. Supreme atmosphere, excellent tifos. After the game, a couple of beers and met more Hammarby fans. Conversations about a variety of things. A couple of guys who are big friends with Rapid Vienna. Left feeling incredibly lucky and thankful. 
 

Monday 

After a good day around the town, out to Solna for AIK v Malmo. Awful game but again very good atmosphere. Although at times AIK were very much of the Capo, stereo speak style but there was a point where the atmosphere rocked midway through the second half. Excellent modern stadium. 
 

Couple of things. The Swedes seem to have this healthy mix of German and English style support. There are issues with interruptions with games and pyro (Sundays game was delayed by ten minutes because Djurgarden wouldn’t release the tifo and they were expecting a big pyro show - instead they were revealed to be all wearing blue bin bags.  🤣 The big thing is they are on the 51% membership ownership format which helps drags the clubs in. 

 

 

The cost of everything here - the UK is catching up on food and drink for sure. It’s felt like paying for four days in London. Also feels society wise Sweden is like the UK twenty years behind and it will possibly head our way in the larger cities

Sounds like you had a great time.  Im off to stockholm in 2 weeks for djurgarden v AIK and 3 days in the city.

 

Its me and my 15 year old daughter going and your last paragraph got my attention.  Sweden gets some bad press these days for violence and gang related stuff.  My thoughts are that its probably overblown and because historically sweden has always been so safe and that its probably restricted to some of the suburbs between themselves.  I suppose my concern is for my daughter as we intend to explore Stockholm too.  I cant imagine stockholm being any more dodgy than London or even Birmingham or Manchester.  What would you say?

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, rugbyblue said:

Sounds like you had a great time.  Im off to stockholm in 2 weeks for djurgarden v AIK and 3 days in the city.

 

Its me and my 15 year old daughter going and your last paragraph got my attention.  Sweden gets some bad press these days for violence and gang related stuff.  My thoughts are that its probably overblown and because historically sweden has always been so safe and that its probably restricted to some of the suburbs between themselves.  I suppose my concern is for my daughter as we intend to explore Stockholm too.  I cant imagine stockholm being any more dodgy than London or even Birmingham or Manchester.  What would you say?

Central Stockholm you have no issue at all. Zero pretty crime. Literally mad how such a large city was free of chaos. It was only mentioned the very northern parts of Stockholm has issues. As a tourist you visit south (Sodermalm - lively for restaurants and bars, no sign of any trouble) and then central/east - Old Town & Djurgarden 
 

It was more at least three times stories of gang culture were brought up but equally they mentioned how well protected most kids were, almost too gullible or protective. They were keen to ask how the UK is as they fear the same societal problems 

Edited 18 April 2025 by CosbehFox

[rugbyblue]

31 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Central Stockholm you have no issue at all. Zero pretty crime. Literally mad how such a large city was free of chaos. It was only mentioned the very northern parts of Stockholm has issues. As a tourist you visit south (Sodermalm - lively for restaurants and bars, no sign of any trouble) and then central/east - Old Town & Djurgarden 
 

It was more at least three times stories of gang culture were brought up but equally they mentioned how well protected most kids were, almost too gullible or protective. They were keen to ask how the UK is as they fear the same societal problems 

Thank you.  I did suspect that tourist areas would be fine.  The media does tend to scare monger at times.  Its good to hear that from someone who has been.  

 

Ive been many dodgy places when i was younger and got out of any potential scrapes.  Its a bit different when you have your child with you, so thank you.  

[boots60]

Went Shrewsbury v Wigan today. 1-0 win for Wigan, an uninspiring affair, it does however mean I will have witnessed 2 relegations in 2 days by this time tomorrow ☹

[Sir Steve Howard]

Went to Igalo - Ibar in the Montengrin second div the other week. Absolutely stunning ground (setting rather than the one uncovered stand).

Finished 5-1, quality fairly high but attendance wise, you'd probably get that in English 10th tier.

[CosbehFox]

11 minutes ago, Sir Steve Howard said:

Went to Igalo - Ibar in the Montengrin second div the other week. Absolutely stunning ground (setting rather than the one uncovered stand).

Finished 5-1, quality fairly high but attendance wise, you'd probably get that in English 10th tier.

Stayed in Petrovac when I went Montenegro - beautiful little ground just off the coast. They are likely to qualify for Conference League this season - no idea if they can play at home or have to go Podgorica. 

[Sir Steve Howard]

3 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Stayed in Petrovac when I went Montenegro - beautiful little ground just off the coast. They are likely to qualify for Conference League this season - no idea if they can play at home or have to go Podgorica. 

When they made Europa qualifying in 2009 they played in Niksic.

Outrageously though, when Bokelj (Kotor) were in 2016 qualifying they played their "home" game in Petrovac, so there's chance for them yet.

[sishades]

i only need 7 more clubs to complete the national league having done the 92 2 years ago. Off to sweden in October / November to see the Vasa and maybe AIK. Returning to the Uk on a mixture of sleepers and ferry.

[rugbyblue]

My swedish contact at djurgarden came through!  Tickets officially transferred to me yesterday through the clubs app.  Fair play to him.  He didnt have to help me but he did.  Flying out tomorrow for the derby game v aik on sunday. Cant wait.  Just taking out a loan to buy my contact some beers pre match 😂

 

And to think.....i could have been at city v Southampton 😂

Edited 1 May 2025 by rugbyblue

[CosbehFox]

5 hours ago, rugbyblue said:

My swedish contact at djurgarden came through!  Tickets officially transferred to me yesterday through the clubs app.  Fair play to him.  He didnt have to help me but he did.  Flying out tomorrow for the derby game v aik on sunday. Cant wait.  Just taking out a loan to buy my contact some beers pre match 😂

 

And to think.....i could have been at city v Southampton 😂

To be fair a lot of the bars near the 3 Arena were charging £5.50 for a beer. Noticed that Hammarby’s youngster are playing in Swedish Third Division on the Saturday, their stadium is in a lovely area of Stockholm. 

 

Enjoy! 

 

 

 

[CosbehFox]

Desperately trying to see where I can fit another trip 

[rugbyblue]

7 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

To be fair a lot of the bars near the 3 Arena were charging £5.50 for a beer. Noticed that Hammarby’s youngster are playing in Swedish Third Division on the Saturday, their stadium is in a lovely area of Stockholm. 

 

Enjoy! 

 

 

 

Ah ok.  Not much difference in price to a uk pint then.  

Ill raise the hammarby idea but I suspect other plans will be made for me on the Saturday 😂

 

Thank you

[CosbehFox]

3 minutes ago, rugbyblue said:

Ah ok.  Not much difference in price to a uk pint then.  

Ill raise the hammarby idea but I suspect other plans will be made for me on the Saturday 😂

 

Thank you

Yeah your traditional pubs are similar to the UK. Your pretty ones and imported booze is where the price climbs 

[BrummieFOX]

On 16/04/2025 at 07:44, CosbehFox said:

Sold out - https://pzpn.pl/federacja/aktualnosci/2025-04-10/bilety-na-final-pucharu-polski-zostaly-wyprzedane

 

Only way would be if you found a member of Legia or Pogon to get you a ticket (Polish your name has to match your ID) but looks like  they go on sale today and they will sell out quickly too. 

Managed to get in. Couldn't get anywhere near either end, but was a brilliant day out. The noise and range of Tifos from both sides was brilliant. Great game too, ended up 4-3 Legia. Tried to add a few pics but they're too large. 

 

 

[rugbyblue]

Djurgarden v aik yesterday.   Immense , phenomenal, incredible.  Running out of words.  

Both ends didnt stop for the entire game.  The bouncing made it look like the stands were actually moving. The game itself was championship standard i would say but more physical , ref letting plenty go in a hot tempered derby.  Also banners displayed by fans "no to var".

Great experience .  I have to do it again.  

[rugbyblue]

Quite a big ultra scene here by look of it.  Noticed a lot of stickers around the city.  Both sets of ultra fans dressed almost entirely in black also.  It was quite a sight to see hundreds of them walking to the ground.  Despite this being a huge rivalry i didnt see any trouble or feel unsafe in any way, even with my daughter wearing a djurgarden scarf.  Cov away felt far dodgier and edgy.

Edited 5 May 2025 by rugbyblue

[BrummieFOX]

11 hours ago, BrummieFOX said:

Managed to get in. Couldn't get anywhere near either end, but was a brilliant day out. The noise and range of Tifos from both sides was brilliant. Great game too, ended up 4-3 Legia. Tried to add a few pics but they're too large. 

 

 

Few lower quality ones here. 

[CosbehFox]

12 hours ago, rugbyblue said:

Djurgarden v aik yesterday.   Immense , phenomenal, incredible.  Running out of words.  

Both ends didnt stop for the entire game.  The bouncing made it look like the stands were actually moving. The game itself was championship standard i would say but more physical , ref letting plenty go in a hot tempered derby.  Also banners displayed by fans "no to var".

Great experience .  I have to do it again.  

Is the AIK chant still in your head? 

[rugbyblue]

3 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Is the AIK chant still in your head? 

Yes if you mean the one they all clap in unison with.  Looks the biz.  

[CosbehFox]

 

24/25 Season Review 

 

Overall Grounds now - 321 

 

This season I am hoping to:-

• Finally finish off the 92 - Complete. Did Wrexham early doors & Bromley in February.  Next season back down to 91 with Everton and considering doing some of the grounds I did years ago again like Lincoln. Other thing is to try and door grounds I haven't seen Leicester at (Oxford & Wrexham) 
• Complete Midland Football League Premier Division - 15/18  - Ended up staying away from this as they are all sorts changes next year. 
• Complete Southern League Midlands Premier 18/22 - Did Kettering & Royston 
• Complete Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands 22/22 - Was complete  
• Dent away at UCL North (1/17) & UCL South (5/20) - Decent progress on South, now at 12/19 while North is 6/18

I have things booked or planned for:-

 

• Lech Poznań - excellent atmosphere, would become champions this week. That did the two grounds I wanted to do in Poland but then I noticed a Lechia v Arka derby is on next season 
• Juventus - sneaky Italy trip with this missus. Most Premier League atmosphere ever in Serie A. 
• Dundee derby - Helped by an excellent game; proper derby and a decent city 
• Stockholm weekender - Now a Bajen boy. Excellent weekend. Probably the height of ground hopping. 

New grounds which impressed were Lakenheath (very standard set-up but interestingng location), St Neots (Step 3 ground really), Cambridge City (excellent modern stadium with a club looking in the right direction). Other notes were that I thoroughly enjoyed watching Quorn this season, Swedish football has the culture spot on, the 92 was anti-climax, Ipswich is a better away day/ground then given credit, Arsenal facilities the best boozing. Kettering's ground is awful.