With GameBasics we are a football minded company and what is there a better outing than a visit to a club in a European capital? Last year we enjoyed all of Arsenal in the brand new Emirates stadium. This year we did and we saw the Madrid Galacticos in action.
Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. The club has won awards and most recently paid, without blushing, 94 million for one player: Cristiano Ronaldo. The team this year with Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Benzema, Raul, Sergio Ramos and Casillas almost purely super-celebrities on the field. Our trip included a visit to the match Real Madrid - Malaga and three days in Madrid.
Santiago Bernabeu Saturday we went cold from the plane first to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, so we were immediately in the right mood. The subway took us to walk away from this impressive stadium, located in the heart of Madrid. The hotel where we stayed there was also a stone's throw away. We did the stadium tour, which will see us all trophies Real Madrid and we had already brought the grandeur of this 80,354-seat stadium experience.
In the evening we went to the characteristic center, where we discovered that there is plenty to do in this bustling metropolis. From the central square of Puerta del Sol, we walked the town. The route was already somewhat familiar to me by my previous visit in Madrid .
Until the small hours we left Madrid's beer taste good. Madrid was also a very international city, we had people from all corners against. A drunken Englishman and a fan of Liverpool supporters taught us a song about Carragher, he lustily sang unasked.
The old town, Plaza Mayor It was late and that had taken its toll, but obviously we were determined to fully experience the city. So we left Sunday morning to the old town, for a walk along the tourist attractions such as Plaza Mayor, the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace.
The pleasant weather for this time of year had it even allows to take a walk in the sunshine to sit on a terrace.
The lunch we used in a real Spanish tapas restaurant. The mussels, squid pieces and onion rings were not as good for everyone's taste, but it was fun to get acquainted with this undeniably authentic Spanish delicacies.
The competition At 21:00 pm, the kickoff of our match, so we made sure we were on time at the stadium. More than an hour before the stadium was already very busy is important. There were various stalls around the stadium built with fan merchandise and we also saw the team bus under police escort still pass.
We had ideal place, close to the field on the long side. The stadium is full flowed slowly and eventually there were at the kickoff over 60,000 seats occupied. Before the game started was at first held a minute's silence for the earthquake victims in Haiti. You could hear a pin drop: it was quiet.
In the game, Cristiano Ronaldo demanded a leading role for himself. The most expensive player in the world scored two beautiful goals, but was halfway through the second half with a red card sent off because he Patrick Mtiliga of Malaga an elbow gave out. He made a clever piece of theater, disbelief, he collapsed to the ground, hands raised to heaven. The audience reaction was overwhelming, the flute concert was so loud that my ears it squeaked.
The box with the hard core fans, the Ultra Sur, made the whole race is stirring, with continuous singing. The texts left little to the imagination. We learned that in Barcelona to find a lot of shit and that Calderón stadium rival city rivals Atletico Madrid and especially populated by gay men.
Farewell Ruud van Nistelrooy Prior to the match was briefly said goodbye to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had played three years at Madrid, during which time many goals for the Royal had scored. This quick farewell took the Ultra Sur is not enough and they put ten minutes before the end of the game a song for their hero. This song remained constant singing, even while the rest of the stands as good as empty. Occasionally it seemed as if she would give up but with renewed vigor came the "Van Nistelrooy, lalalalalalala", accompanied by drums, then yet again from the stands.
It became clear that they would not leave without Van The Man himself again personally would report on the field. This was after half an hour. A magical moment! Van Nistelrooy had to sing to the fans and took farewell in style, and also the Ultra Sur returned home satisfied.
The Palacio Royal The last day in Madrid we returned to the Royal Palace at this huge building look inside. The palace is the largest in Europe with 3418 bedrooms and 135000 m2 surface. Each room is overwhelming richly decorated with statues, gold, silverware, vases and paintings. The richness of the Spanish empire under king Philip V (1683-1746) in exponent found in this grotesque stuffed palace. An absolute must for any visit to Madrid.
In a souvenir shop, we bought a small foot ball and squares for the Palacio Royal lent themselves perfectly to a game of street football.
After all the impressions we had gained in the palace, we tested a little or Burger King Whoppers produces good in Spain. This was found to be the case. With this comforting thought in mind, we went back to the airport for the flight home.
The cosmopolitan Madrid, the impressive stadium, the greatness of the club Real Madrid and the emotional farewell of Ruud van Nistelrooy all contributed to a unique experience that we probably will not soon forget.
Facts City: Madrid Match: Real Madrid - Malaga Result: 2 to 0 Participants: Eric, Frank, Vincent, Youri, Bowie, Gijs, Evert, and Jeroen Matthijs Period: Saturday, January 23 p / m Monday, January 25, 2010
5 Responses to "Game Basics getaway: Real Madrid vs Malaga"
January 28th, 2010 at 11:48
It was indeed totally super! Again beautifully described Jer!
January 28th, 2010 at 24:06
Nice piece Jer!
January 28th, 2010 at 12:17
Fantastic, fabulous, magnificent!
Gracias por todo, game basics!
January 28th, 2010 at 3:50 p.m.
Great written report! A wonderful weekend to look back on!
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:12 p.m.
Fat!