Topic: Union SG away selling details

[30fiver]

What’s so bad with Brussels?
I have only heard a few people ever speak well about the city.
I’m looking forward to drinking Belgium beers, eat proper chips and walking around the Christmas market 

I went before and after Paris final for 1 night each time, got to say that first day and night there I'd never felt so unsafe abroad especially around midi...

That was until I got to Paris anyway

[kalle-anka]

I went before and after Paris final for 1 night each time, got to say that first day and night there I'd never felt so unsafe abroad especially around midi...

That was until I got to Paris anyway

Ohh that doesn’t sound good at all.
Anything in particular or just a bad vibe as often can be around train stations?

[Kenny19]

Thanks a lot for your advice, I’ll try and have chips at at least two of them and will definitely check out the pub
I have tried the Tripel Karmeliet but only bottled before.. can buy them in 4 packs and get a glass in one of the fancier supermarkets by us.

Will probably go to Brugge on Wednesday for some walking around and lunch.. any particular place worth a visit on the top of your head?

Don't know too many places in Brugge but one that I'd really recommend is the Halve Maan. It's one of Belgium's most iconic breweries because of a beer pipeline running from there (city centre, where the beer is produced) towards a bottling plant 3km outside of the city. The pipeline was built to eliminate the the need for trucks in the city centre.

There's a restaurant in there as well but you might have to book in advance, here's their website: https://www.halvemaan.be/en/visit/restaurant

Regarding Brussels, I'd try to avoid the Midi Station (also called Zuid/South station) and North station. Brussels Central is the main station and quite allright.

[30fiver]

Ohh that doesn’t sound good at all.
Anything in particular or just a bad vibe as often can be around train stations?

Felt like we were the odd ones out, defo went down a 'no go' street, every head turned and watched the group of 5 of us walk down the road, everyone stopped what they were doing, just felt on edge all the time, shady characters hanging outside places and on street corners almost eying you up for a mugging is how it felt. not to mention how run down and dirty the place was in general on the streets etc

I stayed in the ibis budget at midi, it had two security guards on the front of it - I assume for a reason, never been in an ibis with 1 guard never mind two

The central square mile of the town centre seemed okay, i'll give it that much, if you didnt have your pants pulled down for some overpriced waffles or chips that is

[30fiver]

Hope we arent treated how barca are going to be treat on wednesday

[kalle-anka]

Really looking forward staying at Mercure Midi now after all the praise the neighbourhood has gotten 

[Barry Banana]

The fan information is fun. 🙃

[Fowler1070]

Junk?

Texts also were sent..

All sorted, thank you.   The club resent everything and now safely received.

My girlfriends and I were mugged at knifepoint by a gang outside the Hilton, Brussells a few years back, hence why I have let a friend have my ticket.   I am glad, after seeing the advice from SoS, club etc.

Stay safe everyone

[shaunNW]

Any meeting points in Brussels? I'm hearing a police escort.

[vlademer17]

Any meeting points in Brussels? I'm hearing a police escort.

they have already advised to congregate near Bourse in city centre  and then take metro from  De Brouckere Metro towards ground.

[bignred84]

Really looking forward staying at Mercure Midi now after all the praise the neighbourhood has gotten 

Staying at the Hotel B &B MIDI here

A couple of “BIG” chaps in our group so hopefully it’s ok

Sure there’s a bar or two either side of us.

[Luke 17]

'RSC Anderlecht Ultras will be present in the local area and from the Belgium Police are likely to seek disorder'

How are they even allowed to host games when the police are advising this information?

[ABJ]

'RSC Anderlecht Ultras will be present in the local area and from the Belgium Police are likely to seek disorder'

How are they even allowed to host games when the police are advising this information?

Because UEFA don't give a fuck.

[Willo99]

It's their city to be fair. Where do you want them to host it?!

Sounds like scaremongering to me.

[Kenny19]

Any meeting points in Brussels? I'm hearing a police escort.

Don't know about any official meeting points but near the Bourse, there's a large pub called "The big game" with happy hour running from noon till midnight. 

[bignred84]

Don't know about any official meeting points but near the Bourse, there's a large pub called "The big game" with happy hour running from noon till midnight. 

What's the score with the metro (Tickets)

I've read that you just use your debit card and they take a day ticket rate at the end of the day

or can you buy a day ticket.

also whats the going rate for a pint

[30fiver]

Just been sent this from a girl I know who's landed there today

All those who said Brussels is a bit dodgy, within the space of about 30 mins, I got catcalled more times than I can count (in a really intimidating way), saw two lads with knives out, and turned a corner to see a homeless man pull his pants down, make eye contact with me, and just shit in the middle of the road

Lovely gaff

[30fiver]

All sorted, thank you.   The club resent everything and now safely received.

My girlfriends and I were mugged at knifepoint by a gang outside the Hilton, Brussells a few years back, hence why I have let a friend have my ticket.   I am glad, after seeing the advice from SoS, club etc.

Stay safe everyone

Shit! Proper dump mate don't blame you, don't think I'd go back to Paris if we drew PSG after last year

[shaunNW]

Shit! Proper dump mate don't blame you, don't think I'd go back to Paris if we drew PSG after last year

Psg's stadium is actually in a nicer part of the city in my opinion, unlike lotto park.

[Kenny19]

What's the score with the metro (Tickets)

I've read that you just use your debit card and they take a day ticket rate at the end of the day

or can you buy a day ticket.

also whats the going rate for a pint

You can just buy a day ticket for  €7,80. Single is €2,40

In most pubs, you’ll pay around €3/€3,50 for half a pint. We don’t really serve ‘big’ pints in Belgium.

[Fowler1070]

It's their city to be fair. Where do you want them to host it?!

Sounds like scaremongering to me.

Trust me, from a lady who had a knife in her face, it isn't.

[exCite]

I live in Belgium and don't really like Brussels either. There is however a difference between the region around the "Grote Markt/Beurs" and the train stations and surrounding "cities".
Anderlecht's Stadium is in Anderlecht and let's say Anderlecht isn't the nicest of places, it's actually too bad that Union's mown ground is so old and not fit for UEFA, as it's in a better part around Brussels.

Just watch out a bit, as you would in other big cities, as all big cities have dodgy places. Avoid Brussel-Noord and Brussel-Zuid if you can.

And if you want to taste a really good blonde beer, be sure to drink a "Duvel".

I'll be in the home end and will be quiet if we score. In which part of the stadium is the away section?

[★deb★, please ?]

Brussels local here.
Midi train station is dodgy af.
Your rendez-vous point (Bourse) is next to the city square, everything is fine there.
Would advise you get off the train at Brussels-Central station, it is a 10min walk to bourse through the central market square.

Once on the subway there won't be any issues.

Local Anderlecht fans will look for trouble with Union, not with you guys.

See you tonight!

[Thepooloflife]

Psg's stadium is actually in a nicer part of the city in my opinion, unlike lotto park.

Depends what you mean by 'nicer'. If running the gauntlet from hundreds of local thugs armed with knives and clubs in fear of your life is 'nicer', then fair enough. But, I won't be going back to Paris even, let alone St.Denis, anytime soon - my mate got mugged in Paris centre after the game.

[Barry Banana]

After all the negativity and scaremongering I have to say we found Brussels to be fantastic. Great for a bevy and not a sniff of trouble.

[gazzam1963]

Depends what you mean by 'nicer'. If running the gauntlet from hundreds of local thugs armed with knives and clubs in fear of your life is 'nicer', then fair enough. But, I won't be going back to Paris even, let alone St.Denis, anytime soon - my mate got mugged in Paris centre after the game.

He means PSGs ground which is not where the final was played in st Denis , PSG is near to Roland Garros and is a decent area iirc

[gazzam1963]

After all the negativity and scaremongering I have to say we found Brussels to be fantastic. Great for a bevy and not a sniff of trouble.

Just got in and found it a great trip , didn’t hear one person say they had any hassle of any kind , as you say great for a bevy but it’s strong stuff .

[kalle-anka]

After all the negativity and scaremongering I have to say we found Brussels to be fantastic. Great for a bevy and not a sniff of trouble.

Yeah we stayed 300m from the dreaded Midi station but didn’t see any signs of trouble at all.

[gazzam1963]

Bought two tickets for the home end off a guy outside who had just gotten hospitality off NATO , turns out he is a red , the leader off the opposition in Malta and probably a Tory to boot

[bignred84]

Yeah we stayed 300m from the dreaded Midi station but didn’t see any signs of trouble at all.

Likewise, stayed in the B & B hotel literally outside the station

3 great trips, low level policing, treated like humans before, during and after each game.

makes a great difference with the early kicks offs and NO hold back

[ABJ]

Cracking trip and as others have said, no bother at all.

3 brilliant trips, roll on March.

[call me red]

Cracking trip and as others have said, no bother at all.

3 brilliant trips, roll on March.


Same here we were in the Home end Hotel not far from Midi not a problem

[Rhi]

Yeah, great trip. Spotted a few of you in St Pancras on Weds afternoon and in Beer Capital (I think?) on Thursday night.