Hapoel Tel Aviv 2
Mighty Blues 0
UEFA Cup 2nd round 1st leg
18th October 2001

Mismatch Report
By Billy The Bridge

Well, unlike 6 of the players who are paid Ģ'ssss a week for playing football - the job they supposedly love, I, along with 125 official fans travelled to what seemed to be the SAFEST place on the planet. For those that have never been to the promised land - you should ! The Israelis are some of the most hospitable people you could ever meet. Nothing is too much trouble for them. It's the sort of place where you could be in a bar or restaurant, leave your bag, go to the bog, and your bag or whatever will still be there when you get back. The sort of place where you go to a football match and are welcomed by all the opposing fans, who shake your hand and genuinely wish you luck. Can you imagine opposing English fans with the same sentiment ......?

The match itself was a joke, and not particularly funny at that. Hapoel played a well organized tactical match, with 5 in midfield who completely out gunned and outwitted our own, and thoroughly deseved their win. I felt sorry for Joel Kitamirike, who I'm sure is a good player, but he was well out of his depth. Surely we could have played a more experienced player in that position. I mean, we were only missing 6 players, not a whole fucking team ! My hat went off and my heart went out to Bosnich, who played a blinder. He stopped the damage from getting worse, and really deserves a good run in the team, depending of course on his fitness and aptitude, but his reflexes were outstanding and made some telling saves.

Super Mario was an absolute plonker. I can only put his sending off down to the fact that he and most of the team didn't want to be there, and that he had a rush of blood to his head that resembled Frankie Sinclair. Lampard should've stayed at home, and along with Zenden did little to raise the game. Personally, I think that if you are going to travel with your teammates and get paid fuck loads of money, then at least make it look like you're trying. Perhaps Chairman Bates has got a point - it's probably more scary going to Leeds away then being in Israel.

On a finishing note, I was somewhat amazed by the Chelsea fans on the terraces, at least 80% of them were native Israelis, with a blue and white " Star of David " flag (could that have been in memory of Speedie or Webb ?), and more Skull Caps then a meeting at the Vatican. I was impressed by the Blumfield Stadium. The atmosphere was terrific. Every 10 minutes stewards walk around with a tray of extremely edible sandwiches and soft drinks for sale. There were some sour notes of over-excited, over-beered and over here Chelsea fans, who naturally got themselves thrown out of the ground for being abusive and stupidly trying to take on Israeli Soldiers who make Rambo seem like a pussycat.

The trip itself, whilst spoilt by the lack of effort by Chelsea, was one of the best I have been on, and would love to go again should we ever get the opportunity.

What do YOU think ? Want to add your point of view ? Here's your chance to send me some feedback. NB: Opposing fans: abuse will be laughed at and then binned, so don't waste your time. Considered, intelligent argument, presented in the spirit of friendly rivalry guarantees a response.

[Top]


[quite a few visitors]