TT No.25: Ian Hill - Sat 25th February 2012; Hallescher v Vfl Wolfsburg II; Regionalliga NORD;                  Score: 3-2; Admn: 16 Euros; Prog: 1.50 Euros; Att: 3,303; Match rating: 4.
 
Originally I was scheduled to watch a game at Stahl Brandenburg but luckily I found out that this game had been postponed. My new plan was to go to Saschen Leipzig and with the train already booked I set off to Leipzig. On arrival I checked the club website and found out that this game had also been postponed. Looking for a quick alternative Hallescher were at home and also playing at their new stadium.
 
Getting to the game was a bit of a rush job as I arrived at Halle Station at 1.10pm for the 1.30pm kick off. The taxi journey cost 7.50 euros but got me there 10 minutes before kick off. Twenty minutes later I got into the ground as you have to pay at a ticket kiosk where an indivdiual seat has to be allocated for you using a booking system. Some of the shameful pushing in was unbelievable. Yes the classic "I´ll walk to the front, ask a complete stranger a question and then stand next to them to push in tactic" was very much in use. By the time I got in the programme sellars had gone but luckily they were on sale at the ticket kiosk and I bought 2 before I went inside.

I´m not a fan of new build grounds but this one has some really good features but unfortunately bad ones as well. The old stone boundary wall, large arch and statues have been retaíned. The seating view and rake is good on the stands with three sides seated and one standing. Two standing areas are also available in two corners. It does remind me a bit of a small Doncaster Keepmoat stadium but is better. Unfortunately the club use a fan card system for food and drinks so none were purchased and I waited till after the game as both were available outside the ground for cash.

This was a really good game with the winning goal coming in the 80th minute.

The programme was very good. Similar in design to last season it is now professionally printed on glossy paper as opposed to last seasons one which appeared to be laser printed.

Luckily I had no transport problems getting away from Halle. The only drama was in the bar at Leipzig station as a drunk decided that I looked like an ideal candidate for an argument and a fight. I think he was asking me if I thought he was a piece of s##t. As my German knowledge is limited to say the least I duly obliged him and ageed with him repeatidly that yes he was a piece of s##t. Red faces and avoid all eye contact by the rest of the punters in the bar. I decided that it would be a good idea to move to another part of the bar and he decided he would ask a few other people for their opinion. I think he went a bit far when he started to do nazi salutes and was eventually escorted from the premises by the Politzi.
  

contributed on 07/09/12