So why this Blog and what's it all about? Having moved to Germany at the start of 2011, on a 2 year study visa, to be with my partner, i decided to combine 2 of my interests together, travel and football, and come up with what i think is a novel way to see the country (and Berlin - where i am based). So what i figure is that i would use the Bundesliga as an excuse to travel the width and breadth of the country and see what Germany has to offer, both in terms of culture and footballing facilities. So what goals have i set (in order of importance for me):
*All 1.Bundesliga home grounds
*All 2.Bundesliga home grounds
*All 3.Liga home grounds
*All Regionalliga Nord home grounds
*All Oberliga Nord home grounds
I also have plans to visit the following if time and money permit:
*Regionalliga West and Süd home grounds
*Oberliga Süd home grounds
*Berlin-Liga home grounds
*Any ground with a unique stadium or one with an interesting past
*Any club with an interesting past
*All clubs that have been in the 1.Bundesliga
*All clubs that were in the DDR Oberliga
So i realise i've set myself some lofty goals, but even if i don't finish any of the targets, i figure at least i will have seen a lot of the country, seen some quality and not so quality football, drunk some good and not so good beers, and gorged myself on plenty of wurst, boulette and steaks.
For those that are hoping for plenty of text to read regarding the games, i'm sorry. I'm not much of a writer, so thats why i've made this more of a photographic journal of my travels.
So a little about me quickly. I'm a 32 year old Aussie from Canberra, who has always loved my sport, both participating and watching. Growing up i played plenty of football, cricket, tennis, squash, AFL and basically whatever was on offer. Nowadays i'm playing AFL again, here in Berlin after 12 seasons away from the sport as well as cricket.
I caught the travelling bug about 10 years ago when i moved to New York for work, and have tried to do one overseas trip every year since 2006, however this one is a bit more permament. Having led a pretty active lifestyle with work and on my rare days off, i find myself getting bored quite easily, so that is why you'll find me getting out as much as possible to watch football (or any other sport for that matter) even if it is raining or 10th league football. As i said, it's a good way to explore.
Well i hope you enjoy the blog and please feel free to comment and give me suggestions on ways to improve the blog. This is my first one, so i'm learning all the time, and luckily my partner has a good idea about computers so she helps me a lot (and thankfully is quite understanding of my desire to travel and watch football).
Glenn.
