Decisions, Decisions...

The fixture list for the 2009/10 Bundesliga Two has been released, and it throws up a few interesting options. First up is our number one choice, a visit to Hamburg to watch Der Lowen take on St Pauli. I know that Crespo will not be able to make this journey, as it is this year, and he is out of holiday entitlement. The date is the weekend of the 2-5 of October. A definite time has not yet been given, as there is a televised game on Friday nights and Monday nights. If it is on a Sunday afternoon we may be able to accommodate a quick fly in and out mission, but that kind of takes the fun out of it. Another option is a Christmas trip to Berlin. I forgot there was teams coming up into league two as well as down, and one of the teams climbing a level is 1 FC Union Berlin, a team that played in the former East German football divisions before the fall of the wall. The problem with this fixture is its close proximity to Christmas. It is due to be played on the last weekend before, on the dates 18-21 of December. Are we brave enough to tell our wives and kids that there won't be so many presents under the tree, as we are off to watch the mighty TSV play a second tier game in Berlin? I reckon not.

So what about 2010? Well here is the good news. In mid April, namely the weekend between the 16.-19.04.2010, just as the weather starts to turn nice, Der Lowen are scheduled to play in Dusseldorf against Fortuna. It would not be my first choice, but it is the perfect destination, location wise, for the West Yorkshire branch on the TSV supporters club. Here are the reasons it is so perfect;

1. There is a direct flight from Leeds/Bradford, at time of press, to Dusseldorf. Although prices are not yet available for April 2010, to fly on comparable dates in March came to £90 return each, flying out Friday and returning Tuesday night. That is a mighty tempting price. I have checked similar flights from Manchester on Lufthansa, and they do have the exact dates we are after, but it is £7 more expensive, and we would need to be at Manchester airport for six in the morning.
2. Fortuna play in a state of the art 51,000 plus all seater stadium, with a retractable roof. It is doubtful that there would be a full house, so I can not foresee any difficulties getting tickets. For the true football fanatic, there is also a host of top flight teams that play in the immediate area, including FC Cologne, Bayer Leverkusen, Bourussia Dortmund and Schalke 04.
3. Accommodation. Dusseldorf may be a bit pricey, it is a big financial centre, and the hotels tend to be priced for generous expense accounts, but I am sure we can find a budget alternative. If this proves to be a problem in Dusseldorf, Cologne is only 50 minutes away by train, and as myself and the shoutster can attest, there are plentiful budget options to be had here.
4. Location. If Dusseldorf proves not to be to your taste, night life wise, there are numerous towns within a short train trip. I don't envision this being a problem, as the town centre boasts a strip that the locals refer to as the longest bar in Europe. It is a street that has numerous bars, bier kellers and night clubs. I will be also taking a day trip to Dortmund, to check out my favourite lager, DAB, which is brewed there.
5. Alt. The local brew, which is revered throughout Germany, is in plentiful supply . It is a darkish beer, if you wish to find out more, click on this Wiki link. I like it. It is smooth, and packs a good punch. The locals are seriously proud of it, and in many bars this is the only style of beer for sale, as me and the Shoutster found out when we asked for a Kolsch, and whole tap room laughed at us. Speaking of the Shouty one, Alt is his own personal Kryptonite, and causes him to become an even bigger buffoon than is usually the case, which is always entertaining.

So those are the five reasons that I believe make Dusseldorf the sensible option. Don't get me wrong, Hamburg is by far and away my personal preference, but getting everything lined up in time for the beginning of October is a bit of a reach. The cheapest way to do it would be by car, but it is a bout 12 hours by road, and I am not sure any of us possess a vehicle that would be able to make it. So unless one of us drops the jackpot on the lottery, or has a most cunning of plans, Hamburg will once again have to be put on the back burner.