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We collected our hire car on Friday afternoon and found it had a CD player. So we drove home to pick up the only CD you can play on your way to meet the Claymores - Scooter!
We struggled to find the hotel, even though we had been there in Week 1 and it was daylight this time. We need a map of Düsseldorf!
It was a beautiful day, so we headed into town for a stroll along the Rhein and some dinner outside - the first time this year. Then it was off to the very quiet Knoten. There is no music in the Altstadt on Good Friday so it was very bizarre. Although it was nice to hear what people were saying, and allowed us to save our voices for the game. There was a great crowd in the Knoten, practically all football fans. It was fantastic to meet up with all our Scottish friends again - the FTP, Preston Cheddarhead, Andy & Louise and so many others. Lou received her official FTP Girlie Card (see the FTP website for more about that) which will probably see more use later in the season. We were also introduced to Schlösser’s latest product… Schlösser Elixeer! Think Schlösser and Red Bull. Sounds gross, but actually goes down very well. It’s 65% of the alt we love, and 35% energy drink (see the Elixeer website for more). We think this could be The Beerleaders’ secret weapon in Week 5! |
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Ian and Ruth enjoying the spookily quiet Knoten. Did anyone tell Ian the Admirals are in Barcelona? |
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Schlösser Elixeer - Could this be The Beerleaders' new secret weapon? |
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Hanging out with Dario & Yvonne |
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Saturday morning began after breakfast, with the day’s first beers in the hotel bar, and the FTP had a photo call with Lou’s pom-poms. We decided to get a tram into the Altstadt, as it was so sunny. The tram ride was free with our Rhein Fire tickets, it gave us some much-needed fresh air, and a chance to stock up on some apfel korn sneakies. Most of the Claymores got cabs instead and Preston asked Lou to bring a bag of fresh air to the Knoten for him. He wasn’t impressed when she arrived empty handed! |
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In the Knoten, the FTP christened their lovely new girlie kilts with a (very long) fling to Scotland The Brave. Before we knew it, it was time to head for the bus (although not before Lou was asked about 15 times if she had had a Lou Break). The buses were of a much higher quality this week, and the lovely folks at Schlösser donated a barrel of beer for each bus (instead of the tins we had in Week 1). The ‘Beer Man’ for our bus was Christof, and a damn fine job he did too! The bus did stop off on the way, but Lou would like to point out that she did not cause the stop, nor did she leave the bus during the
stop. |
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We arrived in time to take in some of the pre-game party this week, and it was a good effort. It had a similar vibe to the Rheinstadion, and you couldn’t help running into people you knew all over the shop.
The security appears to be very tight. As with Glasgow, it’ll take them a while to get to grips with the fact that this is football, not soccer. You’d be forgiven for getting confused though - a ticket giveaway meant there were a large number of people with FC Schalke 04 scarves on. Despite the security, Ian managed to sneak in with his sneakies. This week there was no alt to be found on our level of the stadium, so it’s a good job we still had that apfel korn! |
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Roy's take on the Easter bonnet. |
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On the bus home, we finally caught up with Shuggie Cheddarhead. He had flown in late on Saturday for the game, and was heading off again at 11am on Sunday morning. And we thought Roy was mad!
Lou headed for the Knoten while Ian dropped off his camera and Lou’s pom-poms at the hotel. Despite being some of the first people back, we couldn’t get into the Knoten as it was so rammed. So Lou followed the FTP to the Louisiana for one thing…the infamous FTP Bowl! While in there, a record six bowls were consumed by Lou, the FTP, Roy and many others. Claymores’ Defensive Co-ordinator, Ray Woodard, also did a great job helping out. For more info on the FTP Bowl see the FTP Week 3 report. Player X resurfaced, looking a lot better than when we left him in Week 1. He had a brief chat with the FTP. |
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FTP Bowl - the ultimate female football experience! |
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"No, Ian, I have no idea where the six FTP Bowls went..." |
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We decided to head back to the Knoten to round off the evening with a few more alts and a bit of Scooter. The shutters were soon closed and it was time to head for the hotel. We stayed in reception until 6am, waiting for breakfast. Then the receptionist informed us that breakfast wasn’t until 6.30am! Oh well, off to bed then… |
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Ian didn’t make it to breakfast, but Lou did. She found Shuggie there, and Michelle & Charlie and Roy soon joined them. Shuggie
was surprised to see so many folks at breakfast, especially as it finished at 10am!
So another weekend was over. But the Easter break meant a well-deserved day of recuperation on Monday.
FINAL SCORE: Scottish Claymores 17- 34 Rhein Fire
Next time...Double header: Frankfurt @ Rhein and Amsterdam @ Berlin |
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This week we're raising a beer to the gorgeous Ruth Hutton for supplying the photos (except the one of Roy which is Ian's). She has no website of her own, so here's a link to her bro's site. There is lots of lovely football stuff there.
gregorhutton.com |
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