Munich 2009 - Mac Industries

A ludicrously early flight from Gatwick at around 6.45am saw us arrive in Munich at around 10am local time. From here, it was a simple train ride into Munich, where we were easily able to locate the hostel. On arrival at the hostel, we instantly met a set of Hansa Rostock fans, who were in town for the big game this evening against 1860 Munich, and who instantly began downing bottle of beers despite the fact there were 8 hours until kick off. We then headed into town, and located a delightful bar called Bierhalle, where the first steiners of the trip were consumed before heading off to the stadium

The Allianz is a top footballing ground, and like many in Germany has a safe standing area in order to allow for proper atmospheres on a terrace. It also allows for beer to be consumed throughout the game, which is even better. The Hansa fans were extremely typically European, with one man stood on the fence at the front leading the cheering, and a lot of hand and scarve waving going on, while in our terraced area were several drummers and men in ludicrously German outfits. The game finished 3-3, with 1860 Munich scoring with virtually the last kick of the game, resulting in pints of beer being thrown from the home area, over the segregation, and into the away area. Naturally, McCarthy got involved in this hooliganism action to celebrate the 1860 victory

After the game, we headed back to the Bierhalle for another steiner, before retreating to the hostel for some well earned 'rest'


These Hansa Rostock fans had beaten us to the hostel, and also to the beer as they began necking bottles at 10am	Potter proves that he has never made a bed in his life, attempting to place his matress inside a duvet cover

McCarthy had a ludicrously big pillow	While Witham had only a pillow case

Upton with some lovely German architecture	Another example of fine Munich architecture

Steiners all round at 11am	Kane with a steiner

Witham proves that his steiner is bigger than his head	Upton with his steiner

Potter with his steiner	Rumble with his steiner

McCarthy with his steiner	The first Russell Slade of the journey is spotted serving us our beer

Upton soon moves onto the smaller pint varient	Rumble now has two steiners to finish

An escalator in a sports shop in which Witham would go onto Klinsman	Joy turns to confussion, as Witham and McCarthy become separated and hence lost on the way to the Allianz

McCarthy meets a Hansa Rostock loyalist on the tube	The Allianz Arena comes into view

Here she is in all her glory	McCarthy outside the Allianz

Rumble too looks delighted to be outside this fine stadium	The safe standing area is a genius idea

Inside the Allianz	The opposite end

The opposite side	Kane poses inside the Allianz

This man spent the entire game stood on this fence in order to conduct the Hansa singing	Some giant flags add to the atmosphere

This segregation area would later be covered in beer as pints are thrown between the fans	Potter with his given away rattle

1860 grab an equaliser to make 1-1	Standing at a football game with a beer - how novel

This chap scales the segregation fence as Hansa go 201 ahead	A wonderful example of German fashion

This man was incharge of the 1860 drum, and was delightfully dressed	McCarthy inside the Allianz

Upton inside the Allianz	Rumble does the Owusu inside the Allianz

The people of Munich had never seen such a goal celebration as the Owusu	Half time brings a crossbar challenge

It remains 2-1 to the visitors	McCarthy's broken German allow him to denote to the drummer that he is English, which results in a photo and him being allowed to use the drum to start a chant

The game continues	1860 grab an equaliser to make it 2-2

The Hansa fans climb onto the fence at the front as they go 3-2 ahead with mere minutes remaining	In order to show disatisfaction at the fact that 1860 are now losing, we join the home fans in kicking off at the away

Somehow, 1860 grab a last minute goal and we leave the Allianz having witnessed a thrilling 3-3 draw	Rumble and McCarthy celebrate by liberating these balloons from a shop

Beers all round back in Bierhalle to celebrate the draw	McCarthy acquires a flower

The evening ends by wandering through an unclosed construction site and having a photo with what at the time was thought to be a fire engine due to its redness, but was infact merely a crane