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CSKA Sofia vs. Levski Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
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Rivals, The Offbeat Guide To The 92 League Clubs, is one of the best derby books available.
Read the review |
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| West Ham United - Millwall FC (1-1) |
| 1st Division, 28 September 2003 |
| Stadium : Upton Park |
| Attendance : 31.626 |
Roberto, Matteo, my father and I obtained the tickets two months before the match when we planned a week-end of London football full immersion: Arsenal v Newcastle Utd on Friday night, Wealdstone on Saturday and the WHUFC v MFC derby on Sunday.
We reached Upton Park tube station two hours and a half before KO and immediately outside of the station we bought our programmes. There were already several West Ham United supporters around Green Street, but no away fans for the moment (or at least no one showing club colours……). We take a walk around the ground and one can easily notice the huge presence of police. Once entered the official shop of WHU, we meet Rufus Brevett and we take advantage of his presence to get our programmes signed.
We take our seat one hour before KO as we just can’t wait to see the inside of Upton Park for the first time. Our places are in the Dr. Martens Stand (Upper) from where we have a fantastic view of the pitch. The atmosphere is very good, reaching a peak for the team’s entrance when home supporters sing the famous “I’m forever blowin’ bubbles”. The match itself is a bit of a let down, probably because of the tense atmosphere both on and off the pitch.
As they say, “it usually is a game of two halves”, and the one at Upton Park is no exception: WHU has the best of the first half (going 1-0 up thanks to Connolly), while Millwall deservedly reach the 1-1 equaliser in the second half through Australian Cahill and nearly snatch three points at the end with Wise.
After the final whistle, we pay a second visit to the club shop and then take the train to Stansted where we will catch our flight back to Italy.
Report added : 13 April 2004
Report by : Roberto Puzzi
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