PDA

View Full Version : Arsenal America Tour, Bad Waltersdorf 2009


Pages : [1] 2 3 4

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:05 AM
Hallo from HoMeat, Topcatcole, CanadaGooner, and Jeff L!

This is canadagooner, Barnet was my first match on this trip, Homeat, mixmastermat and Matt's brother and father along for the the fun. The banner got a good position thanks to Nick and Matt and I'm sure some of you got a squint at it on ATVO.

This is Jeff L's report from the game with SC Columbia Floridisdorf. A 7 - 1 win after going down 1 - 0 with an EA1 "mistake" just before half time. The quality of the two teams showed as within a few minutes we were 2 - 1 up. The second half was a "pull away" with a further 5 goals, but E.25 a ticket to stand on a grass bank was not too good in the worst ground we will play in. A very hot day resulted in Bob having his sun screen confiscated as a "security risk" !! :rolleyes: A 2 hour drive each way by my good self from B.W. to Vienna and back resulted in a direct "pit stop" at the "Blue Room" bar at B.W. upon arrival back at "base camp". Not much achieved from a footballing front in this game, but a good start to the vacation. Great weather from there on, only adds to this being a great trip. How great will follow from this point onwards in the rest of the gangs update. From Bad Waltersdorf this is Jeff L. signing off for "Arsenal America TV". !

"TopCatCole" continues with a side trip to Maribor in Slovenia to watch a Champions League qualifier with W.I.T. from Georgia. (Not the U.S. state! ;) ). Prior to the game a sightseeing trip of a nice town, (in a crumbling eatern European sort of way), and a good lunch at an Irish pub, called "Patrick's Bar" which is well worth a stop for good food and good local Union beer. After taking the tickets prior to the game at the box office and a visit inside the ground and pictures taken of the 4 of us with an Arsenal flag, we then re-located to a very nice bar, right on the river in an old guarding "gate fort" where good wine and good Lesko beer, led to a bill of E.16 ! A hasty retreat was made, just in case there was a mistake in the bill ! The game itself was good and interesting with a 3 - 1 win to take them into the next round, but according to a "Maribor Ultra" who actually gave us a scarf, said they won't be playing AFC next as they only play "Champions" !:eek: The day rounded off by watching wonderful Slovenian girls hanging around on street corners at the end of the game on the way back to B.W. All the cars were hooting at them, in the traditional "Slovenian mating call" way.

Hello all, HoMeat now. The next day after Maribor we all went to morning training in c40 degree and rising heat, and then continued up the hill to the spa. All kinds of different pools and it proved the perfect thing for a hot day. We all decided not to go to afternoon training and instead stayed until we went to the Safen Hof for dinner with Judy and Alison. Fabulous meal, including Bob's 50 euro menu with 8 courses and wonderful venison and a 65 euro bottle of wine, we were then all offered a drink on the house afterwards. Some of went to the Blue Room, unsatisfied with the night, and Jeff and I stayed until 4:20am, closing the place up as we left. Lazy lazy day the following morning as nobody woke up before noon, except for Tim. Who was up early in a spritely western european manner, while the rest of the gang crumbled in a typical eastern european way. It was nothing personal, purely business. Friday evening, we went to the training and got Gilles Grimandi, Pat Rice, Mart Poom, Vito Mannone, Aaron Ramsey, and Bakary Sagna to sign the Arsenal America banner. Followed up that with a big bqq in Eltendorf put on by Andreas Kovacs, with the Dover Gooners, etc. Good turn out as well by the Vienna Gooners, Maidstone Gooners, and the Supporters Club with Jill.

Saturday, we went to Vienna since there was no training, and ran across a 10 year old Dutch boy celebrating his birthday wearing an Arsenal shirt. We told the family about BW and hoped they might be able to come down for training. We really enjoyed Vienna and took in all the sights and sounds. We all went back to the Blue Room, which I shut up again...college wasn't that long ago...

Today, we were all up early for training...for once...and got over and got the banner in place. During the course of training we got Senderos, Arshavin, Silvestre, Denilson, Eboue, Vic Akers (Arsenal's most successful manager), Vermaelen, Eduardo, Bendtner, Almunia, and then Traore. Still missing Rosicknote, Diaby, and Wilshere. The dutch kid and his family came, and we were able to arrange for Robin van Persie to take a picture, which became an autograph and photo session with the boy. Off to Hungary tonight for dinner on a cross border trip. More to come soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoToOg6FnoE&feature=related

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:09 AM
The banner at Barnet.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs185.snc1/6200_630568872777_1611829_37564870_2533905_n.jpg

Four of us at the Napoleon for Florisdrof.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631107343677_1611829_37594615_1561191_n.jpg

Us at the Champions League game in Maribor.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631274563567_1611829_37601732_8079291_n.jpg

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:11 AM
Me (HoMeat) and Arsene.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631377437407_1611829_37606151_5623683_n.jpg

Jeff and I closing up the Blue Room.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631467556807_1611829_37610013_792221_n.jpg

At the bbq with Jill Smith.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631759202347_1611829_37621985_319585_n.jpg

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:14 AM
Eboue's mad skills before practice.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631759441867_1611829_37622005_5966838_n.jpg

Arshavin signing the Arsenal America banner.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631759491767_1611829_37622015_5954684_n.jpg

Eduardo signing the Arsenal America banner.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631759521707_1611829_37622021_5562922_n.jpg

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:16 AM
Manuel signing the Arsenal America banner.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs163.snc1/6120_631759531687_1611829_37622023_3369705_n.jpg

The ten year old kid we arranged the photo for.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631759546657_1611829_37622026_2610040_n.jpg

Jeff with RvP.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631759551647_1611829_37622027_7767083_n.jpg

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 09:19 AM
Me with RvP.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5534_126655527754_615037754_3034693_155375_n.jpg

Tim and Bob with RvP.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5534_126654957754_615037754_3034691_945883_n.jpg

SLO-Gunner
26 Jul 2009, 09:26 AM
Well done guys....looks like you're all having a blast.

Rewinder
26 Jul 2009, 09:48 AM
Looks and sounds awesome!

HighburyGoon
26 Jul 2009, 10:16 AM
All I have to say is that my trip next month (you who need to know what I'm talking about already do) better be the greatest trip in the history of trips. I am insanely envious right now.

Flyemirates2491
26 Jul 2009, 10:26 AM
I am insanely envious right now.
This.

Looks awesome.

Publius
26 Jul 2009, 10:50 AM
Wow, HoMeat, you missed DC United's Meet the Team Day for this?

Seriously, the pictures are really cool, especially the one with Le Boss.

Darth Norteņo
26 Jul 2009, 10:51 AM
This only underscores my extreme jealousy, especially since I won't be able to catch a match while I'm in England in November. :o

Scally
26 Jul 2009, 01:07 PM
What a trip! Thanks for the update lads, it looks bloody marvelous....


...pen on a string, I like it

topcatcole
26 Jul 2009, 01:37 PM
...pen on a string, I like it Yeah, that has been one of our many inspired moments!!:D
:D

Scally
26 Jul 2009, 01:53 PM
Yeah, that has been one of our many inspired moments!!:D
:D

Be careful that it doesnt become a security risk!

;)

goonermaui
26 Jul 2009, 02:01 PM
Fantastic!....bloody fantastic lads!!.
I was hoping you might put together a little journal like this....we are all
so proud of you.
I assume the Grand Dames will be joining in the jocularity soon.:D
(probably earned myself a slap from Judy for that one)
Must sign off now, just in case there's a report from one of your F1 boys....
The G.P. is on delay here....and starts in about an hour, so I'd rather not find out who won.

Keep up the great work....really looking forward to more pics and stories.

thebigman
26 Jul 2009, 04:26 PM
awesome!

very jealous!!!

can u cut out dudus signature forme and ill paypal u 1 million pounds?

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 06:00 PM
Evening training session earlier, we got some additional signatures on the Arsenal America banner. Boro Primorac, Clichy, Djourou, Diaby, Rosicky, Wilshere, and Sczcesny all signed it. We called out Gallas, but, being a miserable cvnt for some reason, declared "non", and walked past us. Hmm...ok. Anyhow, I think we're only missing Vela (not here), Theo (not here), Fabianski (not here), Nasri (not here), and Gibbs (not here). On the whole, not bad at all. However, at the end, we were able to ask Vermaelen if he would take pictures with us, and he ok right away. So props to him.

Popped into Hungary for dinner. Good times.

Also, the big group of Norwegian Gooners that were here (in addition to the Hungarian Gooners, Croation Gooners, Slovenian Gooners, Vienna Gooners, Bergamo Gooners, etc), put out a magazine six times a year, and in one of the upcoming issues, an interview about Arsenal America with me, Tim, and Bob will be featured in it. As well, one of the Czech Gooners took our picture and a picture of the flag, and will be posting it on the Czech Gooners website. So there's some good publicity for the club.

As well, on Aug 10 if you access Arsenal.com from the USA, you will be redirected to Arsenal USA.com It is going to be incredibly shit. The editor of Arsenal.com and of this version approached us the other night and asked what he should put on there. Apparently his two years of study only gave him the thought of describing what a free kick is...and he seemed totally shocked at the notion that Canada, the big piece of land above the US, might be interested as well. To be able to do a job that poorly, and still get paid... So if a Dick (figuratively and literally) from Arsenal.com approaches you, be wary. Especially after he has had the video and photographer take pictures of the players signing the banner and of the banner itself, but hasn't put them up online. Just a thought.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631837146147_1611829_37626585_1608081_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631837176087_1611829_37626590_641633_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6120_631837181077_1611829_37626591_3574851_n.jpg

Darth Norteņo
26 Jul 2009, 08:25 PM
As well, on Aug 10 if you access Arsenal.com from the USA, you will be redirected to Arsenal USA.com It is going to be incredibly shit. The editor of Arsenal.com and of this version approached us the other night and asked what he should put on there. Apparently his two years of study only gave him the thought of describing what a free kick is...and he seemed totally shocked at the notion that Canada, the big piece of land above the US, might be interested as well. To be able to do a job that poorly, and still get paid... So if a Dick (figuratively and literally) from Arsenal.com approaches you, be wary. Especially after he has had the video and photographer take pictures of the players signing the banner and of the banner itself, but hasn't put them up online. Just a thought.

This isn't going to be a permanent switch, is it?

HomeatHighbury
26 Jul 2009, 08:40 PM
This isn't going to be a permanent switch, is it?

Oh yes. I do believe it will. Lucky us.

:rolleyes:

Full with key things to make the American public understand "football" more, like rollover definitions of what a fullback is, or, for instance, changing the spelling of British words to their American equivalents.