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Sunday 23 June 2024
Ground Tick #490
German Beer Ticks remain at #98
If you've been paying attention to my Blogs from Germany, you'll have seen I've slagged the German trains off. Horrendous. On my way to a previous game in Dilkrath, I had to endure a rucksack in my face on an overcrowded Rattler bound for Venlo in The Netherlands.
So, some nervousness today as we headed West again. This time, we'd need a train to the German border town and rail junction of Aachen. But, it turned out that weren't the issue. The issue was at Stolberg, where we changed trains. The train we needed from Stolberg was;
Traveling an anti-clockwise loop. Starting and finishing at the same station. So, when we got on it, at Stolberg, the destination on the front and on the boards said Stolberg.
A train with fucking request stops. One of which was ours!!!
What a fantastic day out at Glück-Auf Ofden. Their Glück-Auf-Arena was the 490th ground I've watched a game on.
Alemannia Aachen won promotion from the fourth tier last season. And will start in 3. Bundesliga next season. Nicknamed the Kartoffelkäfer - the Potato Beetles, they were Bundesliga runners up in 1968/69. But they effectively went bankrupt in 2012. They, and their fans, hope they are on the way back.
Although this game involving Alemannia Aachen II (their reserves) was being played at Glück-Auf Ofden, it was very much a Potato Beetle day.
There were a series of Alemannia Aachen open training sessions from 9 Bells in the morning. Once those finished, the Coach and some players made some upbeat and welcoming speeches from the pitch. Then the players and staff stayed for hours signing autographs, pressing the flesh and gurning for selfies.
Understandably, the P Beetles lapped it up. From Kids to Grannies. Cheering, hollering, smiling.
The Clubhouse was out of bounds. Being used by the Board & VIPs I gather. But, the Glück-Auf Ofden permanent outdoor bar was in use. And they'd wheeled in two more temporary bars. And, naturlich, a Bouncy Castle. Lots of clubs could learn a load from how Alemannia Aachen organised this Feel Good Fest.
Mind you. They fucked up the Beer Ticks. It was just the ubiquitous Bitburger Premium Pils at 4.8%. But, on a day like today, gotta be done (and done and done and done and a Bratwurst und Kaiser Roll mit Senf bitte).
Once the actual game started, it was clear it would be a low key affair. An out of condition Ref. But only impromptu - here have a flag - linesmen I'm afraid.
When a Glück-Auf player went down injured, the “physio” eventually jogged over carrying a bottle of water, his mobile phone, a pair of sunglasses and a packet of fags!!!!
I mean. Pick the fucking bones out of that colour clash. The reason for that fiasco became apparent at half time. When a completely different XI appeared for Glück-Auf. Wearing a different kit. Maybe the away kit. Or maybe the other XI had started in the away kit. And this was the home kit. AnyRoadUp, at least the second half kit was grey rather than black.
The Potato Beetles were two one up by that half time personnel and kit change. Glück-Auf had pulled one back late on. That was the classic - hint of no linesman offside - goal, much loved by the Carrier Bag Firm.
Aachen made it 3-1 on 58 when the keeper spilled a free kick and the attacker followed up and scooped it in. That's how it finished.
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