Brit Abroad...Geneva
Etoile Carouge vs Young Boys U21
Stade de la Fontenette
Switzerland is not a cheap country, and Geneva is not a cheap city.
Riding the tram through designer watch shop laden streets is a world away from a traditional division 3 game. Looking at my fellow passengers, I wonder how many are aware that a game is on shortly, let alone attending it.
There is always the thrill, when abroad, that you are going in the wrong direction, even though it's a Western country, they all speak about 7 languages, including yours, and you have Google maps up. All that stands between me and my stop, is an elderly Swiss woman sitting next to me. My best excusez-moi's performed, and i'm disembarked. What a thrill. On the walk to the ground, in a residential heavy area you must cross a bridge over a lake, which was very reminscent of Nottingham Forest and the City Ground.
At the ticket gate, I opted for the 5 CHF pelouses, lawn places as it's surpisingly warm, as opposed to the 15 CHF main stand, every CHF counts in Switzerland!
Its a strange place, concrete steps behind one goal with trees, aforementioned money man main stand, opposite that, long concrete long side, and nothing behind the other goal. Pre match warm ups, ball comes flying over, a deft touch from this intrepid writer, overhead throw, and a thumbs up from the bespectacled goalkeeper coach, consider me signed. Swiss stereotypes are cheese and timekeeping. Well, kick off is 19 minutes late, coming out to polite cheers and applause.
Arsenal legend Johan Djouru used to play for the home side. For YB, not so young boys in goal (26) and at right back (27). The Swiss league has always been a good proving ground for future stars, Salah, Shaqiri etc, and there could be a few tonight. YB take the surprise lead early on, great cross turned into into the goalkeepers own net, after some slick passing. Two minutes later, it's 1-1 to cheers and some Missy Elliott goal music. Eden Hazard looks to be running the line.
An entertaining, possession based game flows into the second half, Étoile are pressuring as the game comes to a crescendo, but the home side couldn't get it.
If you find yourself in Geneva, eschew the super League and consider one of the lesser lights for an interesting experience, just don't expect good timekeeping, or a coffee under £4.
