This time last year I blogged from the Champions League final in Athens, mainly about the oddly circuitous routes taken by Liverpool fans just to get there.
My plan was to do the same from Moscow, but so far fans are pretty thin on the ground. With hotel prices starting at about 800 euros a night, it seems the vast majority of fans are going to come in on the day and fly back pretty much as soon as the game is finished.
At Red Square this morning there was a longish queue to get up close and personal with the trophy itself (or perhaps a replica, who knows…) but so far there’s none of the loud and beery atmosphere of Istanbul or Athens. Even the GUM department store on Red Square was empty, with the Manchester United shirts on sale at 3,150 roubles a pop not finding any buyers.
One story doing the rounds here is that the stadium might not even be full for the final. As a Russian friend put it: “Why would we want to go out to watch a match between two English teams at midnight?”
I did get one offer of a ticket from a Russian guy on the street. He quoted me a 1,000 euros, but his heart wasn’t really in it.
I’m sure it’ll all get livelier tonight and I’ll update here with stories from fans as soon as I can find some. In the mean time, send us your thoughts on the final…
Kevin Fylan, Moscow
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10 comments so far
Chelsea will of course be nervous, but then only Ryan Giggs is left from Manchester United’s win in 1999 (Neville is injured, Scholes didnt play and Giggs is not a certain starter. Brown was on the bench at the Nou Camp)
- Posted by MarkThese Lampard to Inter rumours in the British press havent come at a good time for Chelsea though
I think everyone will be a bit jittery, but Lampard and Terry have lots of experience of high-pressure matches with England. Actually, now I come to think about it, perhaps you’re right and they’re going to have a serious confidence crisis. I hope not, though, as I’m looking forward to a very close contest.
- Posted by fionaI think if United can stop Chelsea scoring in the first ten minutes then they will win 2-0.
- Posted by OwenChel$ki I believe are owned by a very rich Russian. Rather than making a libellous statement can I ask whether a culture of bribery and corruption is apparent from what you’ve seen so far?
On a serious note, it’s being widely reported that the pitch, laid just 15 days ago, is not up to scratch. Any truth in this or don’t they let young cub reporters near the stadium?
- Posted by JimPretty damning if the stadium isn’t full. The person quoted makes an excellent point: If you don’t have a stake in the game, why should you spend a month’s pay to watch a game with an 11 p.m. local start time. Just an absurd decision by UEFA to put its showcase game in this location. Here’s hoping it’s a peaceful day (Lord knows it’s a long time to put down a few pints).
- Posted by Mikehttp://startingeleven.blogspot.com/2008/ 05/champions-league-final-preview.html
the latest on the pitch
- Posted by Mark Meadowshttp://football.uk.reuters.com/champleag ue/news/L20859661.php
There are plenty of people on the streets offering tickets for sale, which is in contrast to Athens, when there were hundreds of fans with signs up saying “Tickets wanted”.
- Posted by Kevin FylanFrom the look of the streets of Manchester, all the fans are still here. Gordon Burns is whipping up the people of the North West into a frenzy from the North west news studios on Oxford Road. As a Liverpool supporter, I’m finding it all a bit much and am feeling rather weak.
- Posted by Beth“A lot of people have tipped Chelsea”..oh really? United were the bookies favourites…
Kevin, what do you think about John Terry spitting on Tevez? For some strange reason the press have down played this - I doubt that would have happened if Ronaldo had done the same to a Chelsea player.
Is it not the case that we expect such awful behaviour from Johnny Foreigner, but when an English player does it the press are only to willing to brush it under the carpet?
The whole episode is shameful.
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