The next USMNT match is in Krakow, Poland on March 26 but I'm not reading anything on these boards about the game, so what gives. Does Poland require visas? We don't normally do well on European soil so where's the chatter for this one? Who will get called for this one? I'm assuming a Euro based roster but it could be a mix since the Mls season wouldn't have started yet. I know Poland isn't a glamour team but still there must be a few thoughts about the match.
No visa is required for travel to Poland for a trip that is 90 days or less in length. Poland is part of the EU, but is not expected to fully convert to the Euro until 2010. Right now, some stores (mainly bigger stores) will take it, but the zloty is still the current legal tender and is accepted everywhere. As far as getting there, LOT, the national airline of Poland, does have nonstop flights from JFK, Newark, and Chicago to Warsaw (nothing nonstop to Krakow), and they're a member of Star Alliance, so they have several partner airlines. If you're worried about flying LOT (eastern European airlines have gotten better lately, but they're still not the best), then you can use American, Delta, Continental, United, British Airways, or Lufthansa, all of whom can get you there in one stop from most major US cities. As for why there's no talk about the game, it's still more than a month away, neither team has announced their roster obviously, and while Poland are a good team, they are neither a "glamour" opponent, nor a "glamour" destination. So there's not as much to talk about. It's a long way to go for one friendly. But if the England came comes through, then the idea of going to western Europe to see the Nats play England and Spain a week apart becomes more attractive, and gives us more to talk about.
I'm glad there is a thread about this. I would love to goto this game, as I've been to Krakow in 2006 when I was in Europe for the World Cup. I must say Krakow is a QUALITY CITY, one of the best old towns in all of Europe, lots of history, plenty of pubs, plenty of hot polish women, quality beer, all the things that made my trip there the best city in Poland. I also went to Warsaw and was highly disappointed. Also if you have the mental strength and guts, the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum is within a day trip, along with some old school Salt Mines. I must say I chose not to goto Auschwitz as you need to be mentally strong to see the horrors that took place there, and personally I would have rather spent time in the old town drinking beer! Tyskie!! As for getting there, I personally was on a backpacking trip all around europe and flew to Krakow from Germany, I think from Dortmund on EasyJet. While no USA Carrier will fly direct into Krakow, check the discount European airlines like EasyJet, and SkyEurope. In fact for a better site check out whichbudget dot com and they will list from which countries/cities in Europe you can get a discount flight to Krakow. Tickets?? Anyone any idea, I assume they would go thru USsoccer.com but the new stadium where the game is being played "only" holds 35,000 people, so i would imagine only a few thousand USA supporter tickets would be available.. The game is mid-week on a Wednesday making it a bit tougher to take a full week off from work to head over there, and the weather in March might still be snowy/cold, but I will say Krakow is a quality city.. As for the Poland team, they have made the World Cup the last 2 times from Europe the most competitve federation, so by no means are they a joke of a team..
Hey guys, I'll more than likely be at this match. I was planning a trip to visit some friends in London, Wroclaw and Krakow, so I decided to plan my trip around this match. Krakow is definitely my favorite city (I spent a semester in Vienna, so that's saying a lot!). I've been there several times, and love it more each time. Like AyanO said, the old town is fantastic. Also, the Wawel Castle/Cathedral are incredible. There's a ton of history hidden in that little gem of a city. Auschwitz, about an hour away by train, is like entering another world. It actually didn't hit me what I had visited until about 2 days later. The people are incredibly friendly, and if you can handle the torture of learning a couple words in Polish (it's rather difficult, but oh so fun), they'll be shocked that an American would take the time to do so. Anyway, if you can afford it, I highly recommend attending this match! If only to check out Krakow Yeah, and if anyone hears about getting tickets, let me know. I'll probably be with a few Poles, but I'd like to sit with Americans if at all possible...
I lived and worked in Krakow for a few years. Great city, compact, all the things mentioned by others. While the policja will be in abundance for an international match, local league matches bring out the worst in boozed up teenagers and others alike. LOT is a decent yet not an excellent European airline. Compared to flying US airlines across oceans, it's on par yet not as good as some western European airlines. Wish I could make it back to Krakow, but it's a LONG flight from Asia. Enjoy!
Fully plan on making the trip over from Berlin. If anyone wants to meet up here, we can get a group of "Amis" to travel together. Glad to hear the positive reviews of Krakow. I was a bit nervous because of the Polish ultras reputation and the fact a marine friend of mine was killed outside a club last year in Warsaw.
That would be awesome to meet up, though I won't be going to Germany this trip I'll let you know if I'm a definite when I figure everything out. Still have yet to get my plane ticket and everything.
I'm a Yank studying in Krakow, and it's likely that I'll be at the game with a couple of English and Polish friends of mine (and maybe a few Americans if I can round them up)...so let me know if anyone definitely decides to come.
You have no idea how jealous I am of you I'm more than likely getting my ticket tomorrow (when I get my paycheck). Looks like I'll be landing in Warsaw on the 18th and leaving on the 27th (no London for me this time...just can't afford it). Still waiting to hear back from several friends of mine, but I think I'll just get the ticket and make the plans afterward. I'd love to meet up with whomever I can!!
Sorry to hear about your friend, but night clubs, likely booze, and troubles can occur anywhere. Strange to refer to a marine, lower case m, but Warszawa is no exception...and Polish (and C&E European in general) door men and some Polish men in general can be pretty aggressive, especially with foreigners. That applies in Krakow as well. Duzy wodky i piwo can an issue (Lots of vodka and beer) with the hooligan-skis. As anywhere, use your heads, stay away from the hooligan-skis (definitely present and often looking for trouble), and you should avoid any troubles.
From Port Lotniczy im. Fryderyka Chopina / Warszawa Fryderyka Chopina (aka lotnisko Okęcie / Okęcie airport, its old name), it's an easy tram or bus (175 or 188 day, 611 night) you'll be able to catch a 15-20 minute ride to Warszawa or Dworzec Centralny (Warsaw Central) train station and easy trains to Krakow (about 3 hours). Beware of scum bag, ripoff artist taxi drivers (always present, aggressively pursuing gullable types inside the terminal doorway). Find the information desk and ask them where to find the legitimate taxi drivers (I'm forgetting their exact location now). You can also try to reserve a LOT or EurLot connecting flight to Krakow. Enjoy!
Hey, thanks for that. I'll definitely keep it in mind. It's times like these when I'm glad I can read and pronounce Polish decently, even though I don't understand more than a few words (unfortunately). I have a very good friend who lives in Warszawa that I'm trying to get to attend the match with me. I'm hoping to spend Easter there with him, head west to Wroclaw to spend some time with my American friend who is teaching there, go down to the Tatras to see a couple of people, and pop back up to Krakow for the match. We'll see how this all works out once I hear back from everyone, but I think that would be the most logical way to go. I can't wait!
Bought my ticket today. I'll be jumping around the country from the 22nd-27th I keep checking everywhere I can think of to see about tickets, but still haven't found anything...
just wondering... isnt the second part of the Krakow derby around march 20th or is it in april, itd be great hitting that one up and the usmnt game. Im absolutely dying to go to a holy war game... seen so much and got a feed on the first one from cracovia's place this yr (too bad they picketed). Last, do u think itd be possible, even safe, to get tix to this game?
One month to the day. I am so pumped. I am skipping a ski trip (happily for the Yanks) to see this game. I almost crapped my pants when I found out this game was during our Easter break and I could go. Having that been said, I will indeed be there. I have always stayed at the Gardenhouse Hostel right off the Old Town square. Pretty cheap per night, and it has an amazing location. Let's meet for some pre game festivities in the old town square. Us soccer hasnt' posted ticket info yet. It says the game is at 3:30 et. If I am reading that correctly that will be 9:30pm in Poland. Is that right? It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime. What better place than here, what better time than now? USMNT is arriving...
Ok everyone, if this kick-off time is correct (damn, that's an insane time for a kick-off!), what do you say about meeting at about 6:30 by the big Mickiewicz statue in the middle of the square? Or earlier to just hang out or whatever. At any rate, unfortunately it's still a month away so we have time to get together and plan this whole thing out. As for where I'm staying, my flight leaves at 6:30am the next day, so I'm probably just going to go back to Warsaw after the game. I'm not looking forward to hopping on a train with a bunch of Polish football hooligans
Ok I just started looking at flights to Berlin ( planning on flying into Berlin, then taking the train into Poland ), and it looks like my dad and I might be representing the SCB for this one. We are still thinking it over, but its looking good. has anyone found out how to get tickets to the match yet? Chase
Nope. I've been looking around every day and my friend in Warsaw has been looking at Polish sites. Neither of us has found anything yet, but I'll let you know as soon as one of us finds something. And I have no doubt that if someone else on here finds something before myself or my friend, that they'll let all of us know
Yo Chase, just so you know, the train ride takes somewhere between 7-9 hours. Maybe more considering I was stuck on a train from Krakow to Berlin for 11 hours last fall. By any chance, were you at the WC 2006 and in Bochum for a few days? I remember meeting a father/son duo from the SoCal Brigade. Or it could be a crazy coincidence. Good luck coming on over. See you at the game.
I was in Germany, and we just passed through Bochum , so maybe I did meet you ! But unfortunate news, my dad just didnt have time to get work off, so we wont be able to make it for this one Chase
Wow, I somehow had no idea about this game...but I live in the UK and could definitely make this game...odd still that US Soccer site still has no info about tickets. Could this game possibly be called off? If there are some Yanks out there (bayernguy311, still planning on going?), a meet up for some drinks or whatnot would be cool. Looking to visit Krakow in any case, and this would probably seal the deal. (seeing USMNT in Poland and London in the same year...not something I thought I'd do)
So far it looks like there are 5 of us: Schu419 redhead13 4-4-2 bayernguy311 rachel83 If anyone wants to be added to the list, let me know. I highly doubt it's called off, but I'm starting to get worried about the whole ticket thing. If it is, nothing beats a day in Krakow When tickets are available, what would you all think about getting them in the same general vicinity? I haven't been able to sit still for a week and it's only going to get worse.
I called US Soccer, who report that they are not in charge of any ticket sales for the game and everything needs to go through the Polish football federation. Does anyone here speak Polish? The # is +48 22 55-12-300 I'll e-mail them this evening as well for more info....
Did you get a response to your email? My friend in Warsaw is going to give them a call. I told him to ask if there will be a section set aside for Yanks, and to ask about the price of tickets. Hopefully he'll get around to it today, but I'll let you know as soon as I have a response from him.