At the time this column usually goes live next Monday morning, I’ll be in the stands at Selhurst Park watching Crystal Palace take on Manchester United alongside my wife.
I’m finally going on that European holiday folks like us always fantasise about.
Yes, it’ll be full of cultural activities.
And oui… I’m looking forward to trying some new and exotic dishes because I’ve catastrophically misinterpreted a French menu.
But mostly the whole thing is just an excuse to watch some top-flight European football.
Watch the final of the UEFA Champions League exclusive & ad-free, live & on demand on Stan Sport.
Despite being reasonably well-travelled, I’ve never actually been to a Premier League game before.
But I’ve already had the full English experience before a ball has even been kicked, because Sky Sport’s late decision to broadcast the game resulted in kick-off being moved back a mere 53 hours – forcing us to cut a planned visit to Amsterdam short.
The move prompted a fed-up Manchester United to blast the Premier League for re-scheduling yet another game their travelling supporters have no chance of realistically getting home from.
Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund and goalkeeper Andre Onana. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
“We want to inform you that we are writing to the Premier League to this effect and will be asking for greater consideration to be given to match-going fans when agreeing fixture schedules with broadcasters,” United thundered.
Which is a bit ironic for us Aussies, since we can not only watch every Premier League game live on TV – unlike in England – but those late kick-offs usually make ideal breakfast-time viewing.
Had I timed things more fortuitously, I probably could have pushed the boat out and secured tickets to the second leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League semi-final clash with Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes.
Which is, again, somewhat ironic from my point of view – as I’ll be watching both of those clubs in domestic action not long after their continental showdown.
The plan is to watch Paris Saint-Germain’s penultimate league encounter – and last home game of the season – against Toulouse at the famous Parc des Princes.
I haven’t informed the missus yet that she’ll be holding up one corner of the “free Denis Genreau!” banner, but in case anyone was wondering, we regularly watch Ligue 1 in our household.
Not long after that, we’ll be two of the 81,365 fans in attendance when Borussia Dortmund take on relegation-bound Darmstadt on the final Bundesliga matchday of the season.
I’ve been corresponding with German author and renowned football journalist Uli Hesse for years now, and he’s been kind enough to offer to take a couple of starstruck Aussies to the game.
He’s just published a biography in English on the late Franz Beckenbauer called ‘The Three Lives of the Kaiser’ for anyone who’s into that kind of thing.
I was telling him about chatting with former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert up here in Brisbane recently.
Lambert was one of my idols growing up – he was in BVB’s starting side at the first Bundesliga game I ever attended – and he had some typically forthright Scottish views about our final footballing destination.
“The Olimpico’s a dump,” he politely informed my wife Ashton upon hearing that we’ll be attending Lazio’s final Serie A game of the season against nobody’s favourite second team, Sassuolo.
That may be true, but sadly I never watched Giuseppe Signori banging them in for either of the two Milan sides on the old Football Italia highlights show we all used to watch on SBS on a Sunday morning.
So it’s off to the north of Rome for the chance to enjoy a thrilling nil-all draw between two sides who may have nothing to play for by the time the game rolls around.
I can’t wait!
This trip has been a long time coming – and I’m looking forward to watching some football without feeling like the whole thing is about to collapse at any minute.
I hope I’ll be back on A-League duty again next season.
But if not, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
Malaysia tomorrow, Indonesia next week so Im in good hands. Indonesian league has top 4 finals this season for the first time and I missed out on 2nd leg of semi in Bali by virtue of Bali United being up 2-0 v bottom placed team and losing 3-2.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Have a great trip :)
criag
Roar Rookie
Enjoy your trip! I’m also off to Europe this week…my first ever trip there! And like you, I will be enjoying a football match in England…but I have no interest in the EPL. I will be watching REAL football…the English Championship at the CBS Arena to see my beloved Coventry City live for the first time against Queens Park Rangers in the final home and away match of the season. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere. And I can wear my sky blue Sydney FC gear and I’ll fit right in! Unfortunately, after putting all that effort into the FA Cup only to be robbed in the semi final after totally outplaying Manchester Utd, they probably won’t be promoted again this year. But my disdain for the whole EPL setup really doesn’t make me that sad…the cash would’ve been good though. Didn’t think of looking at any games in Italy until now, but who knows…
Saffi
Roar Rookie
Buon viagio Mike, I hope you and your wife have a wonderful holiday. Thanks for your contribution to the site. You have provided invaluable insights and information about our football community. Best wishes
Campbell Ross
Roar Rookie
Agreed in principle but with little chance of it actually happening? What a good thing that would be if it happened.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Sports bars in SE Asia are top spots for watching football, and other sports. Always enjoy them in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Breaking news in England, apart from Mary Fowler's cracker of a goal this morning, is that EPL clubs have agreed in principle to a salary cap, set at around 5 times the TV revenue of the bottom club. Three clubs voted against. guess who?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
saw a number of strikers at London Stadium on Saturday that would be a disappointment even at Roar, the shots they missed.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Spring end of season is a great time to be here Mike. Got to London Stadium for Saturday’s West Ham – LFC disaster, great atmosphere, full 60k house. Listening to results unfold in all Leagues, P/R sure does heighten interest. We’re Ipswich this year, for auto promotion, home in time to watch Mas on TV, and still Norwich in with a chance. Then grandson’s training for next weekends big final in the area league, for promotion. It’s full on, lots for us to aim at, albeit I think we have more than a few players who could play at the highest level with the right coaching. Enjoy Europe, stay loyal.
mrl
Roar Rookie
A typical NSW upbringing in days gone past. Interestingly, my boys are both Adelaide born and bred. I came here years ago to study and simply stayed. They both grew up with football and basketball. Surprisingly not interested in Aussie Rules or cricket, although the youngest is now playing Aussie rules for the school team as it seems his skills as a goalkeeper transfer to Aussie rules. I tried to push both into cricket....they simply were not interested. They fell in love with football...and I did too.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Yes, and great relationship between team and fans….seemed like a genuine love!
Grem
Roar Rookie
You’ve still got it!
Grem
Roar Rookie
My journey too minus the union and country town.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
Great fans, very engaged.
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s only one team to watch in England Mike - that’s the mighty Doncaster Rovers: 10 straight wins and a draw to go from relegation from the EFL to Promotion Play Offs. Ahhhh, the power of pro/rel :thumbup: P.S. if you can sneak a Striker back in your suitcase I know a club in Brisbane that needs one.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
i like most sports, but football appealing more to me lately, especially a-League
Aiden
Roar Rookie
and next year ... the U15s, and so on. I'm the same, although I do enjoy the EPL highlights for the twin narratives of 'I hope Man City don't win again' and 'I hope Ange does well.'
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
I just so happen to be wearing a BRFC shirt in Bangkok as I read this haha A-L represent! Went to a match in the Thai league on Saturday, BG Pathum at home to Bangkok rivals Port FC. BG have a great set up, a new 15k stadium that they have added stands to gradually, merch shop, team clubhouse and also this covered outdoor area with food trucks and bars. I got tickets in an airconned booth with 4 hour drinks package, the air con was very much needed it was ridiculously hot even for an 8pm kickoff.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I like to try and watch football wherever I go so it is often part of holiday plans. We have just returned from Japan and I got to see Gamba Osaka play a homer game. I’m not invested in the J League but certainly enjoyed the afternoon.
mrl
Roar Rookie
It’s definitely not inherited…I was a goalkeeper in Sunday division 10 over 35’s!! He was better than me when he was 12 years old!