Meant to be watching the best ream in the league, Viktoria Koln but some unexpected snow meant a regional train to Essen for the first football of the weekend.
Koln may be top of the league but Essen are the most popular team, with average crowds of over 7,000.
Soon as I arrived at the ground, I was impressed, new stadium in an out of town car park but it had a football feel to it, all fans chatting, free programme and plenty of beer on sale - and being drunk. Great singing from the fans and plenty of encouragement for the home team but that did not help.
the team are poor, Dortmund and Shalke 04 are their natural rivals, but it will be a long time till Essen are ever playing them again if they do not improve on the pitch.
The other great thing about Essen is the history of their club is important, and around the ground are pictures and statues to remind you of the past and their links to heavy industry.
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