Munich - Game Day

(written by Troy)

We arrived in Munich and finally found our hotel after having walked around an entire mall with our enormous packs on our backs. The hotel is nice, but it doesn't quite reflect the 220 Euro price tag that came with it (for 1 night!)

We decided the first course of action was to pick up the tickets to the soccer game. We headed to the nearby U-Bahn station where a nice man helped us with getting a "partner ticket". Once on the train we realized that it might be a good idea to have our passports with us, so back to the hotel and start our adventure again. Turned out we never needed them, but better safe than sorry!

The Allianz Arena is about a 15 minute walk from the U Station. As you approach you can see what looks like a deflated soccer ball (Shara's description) or some balloon's trapped by a net. In front, there are giant q-tips indicating the various parking garages.

We found out that the various ticket booths are outside the stadium which itself is not entirely enclosed. We made our way to Kassencanyon Ost only to find the lines we needed were closed. My confirmation had said to pick up our tickets "at least" 2 hours before kick-off. I think it meant "within" instead of "at least".

We spent about 45 minutes wandering about, looking at merchandise booths and eating pretzels until the ticket window opened. I went up to the window and anxiously and nervously went to get my tickets, hoping that everything in the transaction went smoothly. And then I had them in my hands and anxiousness turned into excitement!!!!

The security was pretty tight. They almost took Shara's water bottle from me fearing it may become a missile or was filled with something other than water. A guard even sniffed the open lid! Shara had to go through her own entrance to prevent being felt up by the male guards! Crazy times.

First stop, the fan shop. This was a BIG store. You would think the LEGO store at LEGOLAND would be big, well this was even bigger. And after only a few minutes and still over 2 hours until kick off, the shop was packed, wall to wall people. We picked up a few scarves and a Bastian Schweinstieger Shirt.

It was a bit of a hike up to our seats on the 3rd level, (117 steps up to be exact), but they were perfect seats, just down from the TV camera's, and the center line by about 25 seats (sec 305, Row 1, Seats 1-2).

After soaking up some of the atmosphere, we picked up some Bratwurst and snacks. The payment method is brilliant, as you are required to purchase a little debit card which then is deducted from, when you buy. And the prices were not that outrageous. (You place the cash card onto this electronic pad and it just automatically completes the transaction.)

The game itself was FANTASTIC! I love the crowd interaction. For player introductions the announcer says the first name and the crowd responds with his last name. Same for goal scorers. The best is when we score a goal the announcer and crowd have the following dialog:

Announcer: How many goals for Bayern?
Crowd: Eins
Announcer: And for Bielefeld? (other team)
Crowd : Null!
Announcer: Danke!
Crowd: Bitte!

The "true fans" are absolutely nuts. They sang, banged their drums, waived their flags and jumped around for the ENTIRE game. No silence from them at all. They all worked so hard that I can understand why they are considered the "12th player". The team even showed them special appreciation at the end of the game. My favorite bits included when one end of the stadium would shout and the other would respond back and forth (sounded like A-Oh), and them shouting "FC BAYERN DEUTSCHER MEISTER" for about 10 minutes straight. I think sitting in that section (well standing) would mean the events of the game would mean much less than the people around you, especially if you were standing behind a big flag.

The game started with a couple if chances at both ends, including a hit off Bayern's goal post. But once the game settled in, it was all Bayern.

And then they scored a goal and I was standing and waving my arms, trying to flap my little Bayern flag that wouldn't unfurl. Shara said I looked like a complete retard, but really it was the first time I saw a goal for my team in real life. I am proud that I was so excited that I made a complete fool of myself. So there. I don't get overly excited much, so its nice to know that it can happen. :)

There was one dis-allowed goal, a shot off their post, and one more goal by Podolski (Ribery got the first). It was a great game for a Bayern fan - all joy, no disappointment. Ribery was fantastic and ran his ass off. He was subbed off to a standing ovation. It was also great to see Oliver Khan in his 3rd last game ever (he even had his own song playing as he came onto the pitch for warm-up).

After the game there was a little tribute to the players for winning 3 trophies this year. VanBommel pranced out and flapped his arms like a bird as some Dutch music played. The team carried a giant logo around the pitch and then started jumping around and dancing all over the place. Crazy Germans.

The journey back to our hotel was a tribute to German efficiency. There was a massive sea of people exiting the stadium heading towards the U-Bahn, buses and cars. Literally tens of thousands of people; it looked amazing. But the crowds kept moving. I was sure there would be a massive line outside the station, but the crowds just moved on in and we waited less than minute for a train car that wasn't stuffed, and then got on. We had to wait a little bit in this crowded car before it left the station, but that was it.

We got back to our hotel by 11:30pm, and went to bed. The sleep was good but seemed too short. Now we are on our way to Heidelberg!