This article covers my first experience of German football. As it was written 3 years ago, there are a number of points that are no longer accurate: FCN now play in the 2nd Bundesliga, Per Nilsson is now plying his trade at F. Copenhagen and if my wife is reading this, I don't smoke. Thanks to those fine fellows, a generous Scotsman, his equally generous girlfriend and a whole heap of luck, I found myself winding my way toward the Franken Stadion.
Following the crowd of excited fans, I was finally getting a chance, after two years, to see a Bundesliga match in my adopted city. I couldn't have chosen a better day to do it. Although the sun flirted with the idea of gracing us with its presence, there was a radiance among the fans heading towards the game that more than made up for the lack of sunshine. Today was going to be interesting. Although the surrounding fans attempted to remain realistic, I sensed they felt they could really do some damage to the lads from North Rhine-Westphalia.
As we queued at the entrance gates, my "Club" guide talked me through some basic history and what I could expect. Although I attempted to listen, I couldn't help but be distracted by the surrounding scenes. Unlike the Scottish and English football matches I had seen in the past, I noticed how few police seemed to be around. I was especially confused by this as I could see that some Dortmund fans were queuing alongside the home fans.
In England, this would certainly not have occurred, but it appeared that this was nothing out of the ordinary. We quickly found ourselves at the front of the queue, through the gate and standing outside the stadium. I considered saying no, but then remembered I was no longer under the thumb of the rabid consumerism of the English Premiership.
I could get used to this. The pre-match noise was easily louder than I had heard in other stadiums, a distinct change from the rather muted experience of most pre match grounds back in blighty. When we finally entered the stadium I was greeted by an unfamiliar sight. All I can say is flags, lots and lots of flags. Giant flags moving rhythmically from side to side, smaller flags following suit and banners so big, they required two people to hold them.
