Ukraine & Germany May 2008

Its a long way to go without seeing a game. An elapsed time of eleven hours from Kiev including a total of nine hours on two trains. Although Donetsk was not so bad especially in the very pleasant weather.

Because of fixture changes and misleading information my timing meant I missed the final league games - made doubly worse as Shakhtar clinched the championship against local rivals Metalurg.

Somehow watching Obolon Kiev in the second league didn't make up for it (though the Champions League Final did)

Obolon Kiev v Volyn Lutsk

Get the metro - find your way through the Soviet era , down at heel, tower blocks and there is a stadium hosting a team that seems likely to gain promotion to the Ukraine top level.

Seemingly free entry allowed around 1300 to see the home team run out 3-0 winners helped by Volyn having two men sent off.

From Ukraine to Russia (see separate blog for the Champions League Final) then on to Germany for two lower level games.

Cloppenburg v Oberneuland in the Oberliga North.

A small town - a small but interesting ground.

Remnants of old terracing and a stand remain from when it hosted speedway/motor sports.

Now it comprises a main stand and not much else.

This was a watchable game with a good finish as Cloppenburg tried to get back from two goals down - they got one back but just came up short.

Rot Weiss Ahlen v Eintracht Braunschweig

Ahlen are top of the Regional Liga North (3rd level) and were in celebratory mood as they had already clinched promotion - the players parading around the pitch before kick off (see picture)

But it was Braunschweig who dominated , cheered on by a decent size group of away fans. The away team secured a 1-0 win.


The homeward journey took me through Dusseldorf where I indulged in a quality Thai meal (I'd had the caipirinhas the night before - a lot more pleasant than it sounds)

for more photos see http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/49693486