Topic: Champions League Group Stages home or away

[kesey]

£100 return from Munich we've booked, 1 1/2 hours on train to Salzburg, easy to get back after the match with the early kickoff too

I google mapped the ground before and its so close to the border. If someone skies the ball over the stand it could end up in Germany.

[kesey]

Fuck it my feet are itching.

Flying into Eindhoven Monday and back on the Friday. Meeting my mate in Eindhoven on the Wednesday . Bit of a shock when I seen the train goes via Brussels.We are going to have to hire car it or train it to Maastricht and then local bus it.

[Barry Banana]

If you’re going to Salzburg via Munich then worth knowing Salzburg is included on the Bavaria regional ticket. €53 for up to five people pay on the day price.

https://www.bahn.com/en/view/mdb/pv/deutschland_erleben/allgemein/tickets/pdfs_laender-tickets/2015/mdb_190311_streckenkarte_bay_2015.pdf

[RainbowFlick]

Anyone remember what time the earliest and latest bus left the Naples port? Pretty sure the latest missed kick-off?

Going to spend a couple days in Rome but trying to time trains accordingly to get to the game.

Cheers

[jdirckze]

struggling to find accomodation in Genk -  anyone know how easy it is to get a taxi to Hasselt late on?-  all trains and buses seem to stop after 9pm!

[Shanklygates]

struggling to find accomodation in Genk -  anyone know how easy it is to get a taxi to Hasselt late on?-  all trains and buses seem to stop after 9pm!

Mates booked a hotel in Genk but after having problems with the Lufthansa site and having to input details six times before it would left me complete the booking (hardly German efficiency!), I missed out on the last room there. Tried others but nothing affordable. Spent 3 hours looking and eventually settled for a hotel in Hasslt which looks like a decent size city with all you'd expect with that.

BUT I have been trying to find a way back from Genk to Hasselt after the match and their buses and trains seem to stop running at 8pm at the latest! Does anyone have any experience of trains in Belgium, or have any other ideas please? We are getting the Eurostar to Brussels and a train from there which is fine. And we can probably get to Genk ok before the game, but looks to be too far to walk back!

Any information helpful! Thanks

Failing that, want to share a taxi back? Surely they must run later on, unless Genk fans all live "round the corner"!

[Toxteth_Terror]

I'm staying in Hasselt mate, transport back shouldn't be an issue. Happy to share a taxi or whatever.

[exCite]

I live in Olen, about half an hour drive to Genk, so if you guys have any questions, just ask.
Getting a ticket in the away section will be impossible for me, but I'm trying to get one in the home section for me and me dad.

The airports close by Genk are Maastricht, Liege, Eindhoven, Brussels and Antwerp
Trains run from around 6AM - 11PM - if you need to get to Brussels Airport by train you'll need to change trains in Hasselt.

Taxis should be OK from Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Maasmechelen, Maastricht to Genk.

[kesey]

struggling to find accomodation in Genk -  anyone know how easy it is to get a taxi to Hasselt late on?-  all trains and buses seem to stop after 9pm!

Me mates just got us a room . Pay upon arrival too.

[RainbowFlick]

I live in Olen, about half an hour drive to Genk, so if you guys have any questions, just ask.
Getting a ticket in the away section will be impossible for me, but I'm trying to get one in the home section for me and me dad.

The airports close by Genk are Maastricht, Liege, Eindhoven, Brussels and Antwerp
Trains run from around 6AM - 11PM - if you need to get to Brussels Airport by train you'll need to change trains in Hasselt.

Taxis should be OK from Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Maasmechelen, Maastricht to Genk.

Thanks for the info, mate. I booked a train that appears to go directly from Brussels Centraal to Genk (and back?)

[kesey]

Cant seem to post link but its on booking.com

Hotel De Schacht.

[ABJ]

Knew before the draw that I could only do 2 of the 3 so it was a no brainer, Genk and Salzburg both booked 

[exCite]

Thanks for the info, mate. I booked a train that appears to go directly from Brussels Centraal to Genk (and back?)

Yeah mate, from Brussel-Centraal, there's a direct one. But from Brussels-Airport, there's only trains with at least one stop.
If you're getting in by plane, you'll need to get a train at Brussels-Airport (could get one to Brussel Centraal easily).
If you're getting in by train (Eurostar), you'll be at Brussel-Midi and will need to take another train (5 minutes) to Brussel-Centraal.

If you're there for a couple of hours or a day or 2, go to Hasselt in stead of Genk, it's a small city and has a cosy feel to it.

[redgriffin73]

I live in Olen, about half an hour drive to Genk, so if you guys have any questions, just ask.
Getting a ticket in the away section will be impossible for me, but I'm trying to get one in the home section for me and me dad.

The airports close by Genk are Maastricht, Liege, Eindhoven, Brussels and Antwerp
Trains run from around 6AM - 11PM - if you need to get to Brussels Airport by train you'll need to change trains in Hasselt.

Taxis should be OK from Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Maasmechelen, Maastricht to Genk.

Last train back to Brussels from Genk seems to be 9.07pm, is that right or am I missing another one?

[RainbowFlick]

Yeah mate, from Brussel-Centraal, there's a direct one. But from Brussels-Airport, there's only trains with at least one stop.
If you're getting in by plane, you'll need to get a train at Brussels-Airport (could get one to Brussel Centraal easily).
If you're getting in by train (Eurostar), you'll be at Brussel-Midi and will need to take another train (5 minutes) to Brussel-Centraal.

If you're there for a couple of hours or a day or 2, go to Hasselt in stead of Genk, it's a small city and has a cosy feel to it.

Ahhh yes! That makes sense. Forgot the airport and train were far apart. Thanks for this - very helpful. I'm doing a literal half day pitstop to save on holiday days.

[jdirckze]

Mates booked a hotel in Genk but after having problems with the Lufthansa site and having to input details six times before it would left me complete the booking (hardly German efficiency!), I missed out on the last room there. Tried others but nothing affordable. Spent 3 hours looking and eventually settled for a hotel in Hasslt which looks like a decent size city with all you'd expect with that.

BUT I have been trying to find a way back from Genk to Hasselt after the match and their buses and trains seem to stop running at 8pm at the latest! Does anyone have any experience of trains in Belgium, or have any other ideas please? We are getting the Eurostar to Brussels and a train from there which is fine. And we can probably get to Genk ok before the game, but looks to be too far to walk back!

Any information helpful! Thanks

Failing that, want to share a taxi back? Surely they must run later on, unless Genk fans all live "round the corner"!

also looking at Eurostar to Hasselt so will probably join you in the taxi queue!

[davidsteventon]

I posted this in the Genk thread as well but this seems more active.

Am I being thick here.

There are no hotels in Genk? What are you supposed to do after the game after we've been kept behind until 11:30pm onwards?

[davidsteventon]

Not sure which Italian city to book to as a base for a couple days around Napoli game. Was thinking Rome? I've only been Naples and Milan in Italy.

Got the fast trains in Italy so get on a route that includes that.

Florence is brilliant mate if you've not been. You can then see day trips for Bologna, Pisa and loads of other places like Sienna.
But Florence definitely recommend.

[apassant77]

Agree about Florence. Had a great couple of days there in 2009 when we played Fiorentina. The wine was excellent as well lol

[Barry Banana]

Does anyone know what happened to the UEFA price cap for away fans? They said they were close to agreeing one in March. We could potentially have an away in under 3 weeks.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/26/uefa-close-agreeing-price-cap-away-tickets-champions-league/

€70. Announced today. Stops Barca etc charging a ton but I expect every game to be €70 from next year.

[davidsteventon]

Hopefully it's seen as a limit, not an opportunity.

[Shanklygates]

also looking at Eurostar to Hasselt so will probably join you in the taxi queue!

Fine!

Taxis should be OK from Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Maasmechelen, Maastricht to Genk.

If you're there for a couple of hours or a day or 2, go to Hasselt in stead of Genk, it's a small city and has a cosy feel to it.

Think we made a good choice to be honest

Thanks ExCite for the info. Useful! No evening buses or trains then? Sure we'll be ok though. Sounds like there will be a few of us in Hasselt!

[exCite]

Evening buses aren't common in Belgium, your best bet is a taxi (I'd book it in advance).

I've got tickets in the home end, so my missus is driving me and me dad over there  .

[Redman0151]

Anyone know if atlanta deffo playing knockout phase games in san Siro too?

[kesey]

Just seen our 5 possibilties of teams to play. All nice places to visit and either of the Spanish teams or Lyon means I go via Bordeaux as I love the city. I done Bordeaux - Madrid back in May but deffo not sleeping in a bush this time en route. When is the draw ?

[kesey]

I stopped being lazy. The draw is the 16th.

[Shanklygates]

Yes, Monday but not sure what time

[Mr.Savage]

Yes, Monday but not sure what time

11am

[Tiz Lad]

Anyone know if atlanta deffo playing knockout phase games in san Siro too?

Can't see it confirmed, but their ground is not up to standard and the statement said that is would be for the 2019/2020 season, but they said that about Spurs but allowed them to move back to the new ground

But as Atalanta can't play at their ground, can't see it changing. They played at Sassuolo in 2017 for Europa

[ant]

Lyon might be in trouble with UEFA after fans showed no support for the team and owner recently, they could be hit with a game behind closed doors as they have been fined in the past and they still kick-off !

any sanctions could affect an AWAY game if we get them in the Champions League.

worth keeping an eye on their situation if anyone plans traval to Lyon if needed.

YNWA

[Tommypig]

Lyon might be in trouble with UEFA after fans showed no support for the team and owner recently, they could be hit with a game behind closed doors as they have been fined in the past and they still kick-off !

any sanctions could affect an AWAY game if we get them in the Champions League.

worth keeping an eye on their situation if anyone plans traval to Lyon if needed.

YNWA

Intresting just read this and they had a gamebehind closed suspended allready



August 2018 - Lyon handed two-game stadium ban
Lyon charged with number of offences, including racist behaviour, following Europa League round of 16 match with PFC CSKA Moskva in March.

Other acts include setting off fireworks, crowd disturbances and blocked stairways, with club ordered to pay £85,500 total fines and play next two Uefa home matches behind closed doors, second of which is suspended for two years.

[Redman0151]

Think lyon I'd just get the train down anyway, so will hold off booking anything until that's sorted

Ridiculous away fans get punished for actions of home fans

[Shanklygates]

Ridiculous away fans get punished for actions of home fans

This. Why should our team be penalised by having no support

[davidsteventon]

Draw on Monday - we expecting date/time confirmation by Monday evening?
In Qatar from Tuesday so could do with sorting Monday night.

[kalle-anka]

Draw on Monday - we expecting date/time confirmation by Monday evening?
In Qatar from Tuesday so could do with sorting Monday night.

Yeah usually takes a few hours but the dates has been announced on the same day as the draw previous seasons.

[Shabby14]

Are we guaranteed second leg at home for topping group?

[dudleyred]

Are we guaranteed second leg at home for topping group?

Yes

[RainbowFlick]

Might just book a Tuesday -> Thursday trip if it’s not somewhere I’ve been before.

High odds of it being Madrid, like.

[Craig S]

Might just book a Tuesday -> Thursday trip if it’s not somewhere I’ve been before.

High odds of it being Madrid, like.

you will not know which week it is until dates are released.

[PaulKS]

Lyon looks like a bit of a ball ache to get to? On the cheap anyway

Hardly any direct flights