Griffo Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 (edited) Having read the posts about Steaua's stadium on the worst grounds thread, it prompted to me to go have a look at some photos from the couple of days, bringing back some great memories. I will try to get them up on here if possible! Just interested in hearing some of your memories from the trip. I was about 11 at the time so don't remember too much of it. Edited 26 April, 2011 by Griffo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian the Red Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 The stadium was dreadful....... the terrace was crumbling away, the bogs were simply horrendous, and then the police, just waiting for the English fans to kick off, which of course we didnt and they seemed really dissappointed!! But a truely decrepit stadium.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysaint Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 No cover and extemely heavy rainfall, no facilities for ladies whatsoever, guys were just peeing anywhere but wouldnt of missed it for the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Absolutely p155ed down with rain the whole time I was there, which was from lunchtime on the day of the game until the following Sunday (cheaper flights). I, like everyone, had a pee off the back of the stand down the grass bank. There was a fit Romanian policewoman who everyone was being very nice to, I went over to the segregation fence and gave a local five dollars for my Steaua 1986 European Cup Final scarf even though he only wanted two, and spent the whole time feeling like something akin to royalty by virtue of having a lot more money than anything cost. It was really strange to go to the shopping centres and see that consumer electrical goods, tvs, DVD players etc were the same price as at home, knowing that apart from the hotel, everything else was dirt cheap - a pint (Tuborg seemed popular) was the equivalent of 40p and apparently they'd hiked the prices up for our visit ! The coach we had had police outriders and was very boisterous to say the least, the coach park was so muddy the coaches were barely able to go forwards up the slight slope, the whole thing was under about 2 inches of water (except the massive uncovered drain which someone fell into thinking it was a puddle), and the whole occasion was absolutely mental and sodden. I also went to Ceausescu's Palace, which was just ridiculously ornate compared to the standard of living experienced by the people in the surrounding areas - apparently Romania no longer mines pink marble because it was all used in the palace, and there were 10 floors of underground bunker that were equally palatial. Also went to Dinamo's ground (dump) and got soaked by a passing car which went through an enormous mud-filled pothole. And it rained. Did I mention that it rained ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 (edited) A few photos : Edited 26 April, 2011 by The9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysaint Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 (edited) My lasting memory was all the dogs roaming the streets. We also hired a car whilst there and travelled outside the city, strange to see cows being led down on the main roads being overtaked by juggernauts. The most depressing site though was a massive housing complex which seemed to go on for miles, a real concrete jungle and very run down, a few months ago I was trying to explain this place to a friend of mine but didnt know the name of it, tried goggling it without any success either, apparently it is were Ceausecu sent all the people from the city to live. Also remember (a poster on here who shall remain nameless) who swapped a brand new Saints shirt with a Steau fan only to be found that he was given a scarf instead of a shirt and then had to remain shirtless for the rest of the evening. Edited 26 April, 2011 by ladysaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 My lasting memory was all the dogs roaming the streets. We also hired a car whilst there and travelled outside the city, strange to see cows being led down on the main roads being overtaked by juggernauts. The most depressing site though was a massive housing complex which seemed to go on for miles, a real concrete jungle and very run down, a few months ago I was trying to explain this place to a friend of mine but didnt know the name of it, tried goggling it without any success either, apparently it is were Ceausecu sent all the people from the city to live. Presumably all the people he made homeless when they demolished all the houses that used to be here before they built the palace - in order to create this view from his balcony : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Flew out of here at 4am and landed the morning of the game. Stayed at the Marriott & first person I saw was Rupert. Met up with the Salisbury lads down in the city centre Hilton (and found they had met all the players who were staying there nagrumpf) We had a great day bumbling around the city & bars/restaurants I remember the walk up that muddy slope into the corner of the ground, got the Dubai Saints flag in position (it came back REALLY clean) and saw the fit copper and the banter. the thing I remember was not just the rain (which I am convinced came upwards as well during the game), but it was about feeling so goddamed utterly totally COLD as well as wet. No sign of taxis or buses after the game so walked back up the road about a mile or so to the Marriott with some waif's & strays, we had a beer in Champions sports bar while we dried out by which time there were taxis again and we headed down to the Hilton & the English Pub. What a surreal evening that was. No idea what time we finished but I found myself walking some English Teacher back to her flat in the rain. think I got back to my hotel in time to pack for my flight back home, was so shattered never even had the energy to do the sightseeing stuff. Cracking trip though, and strangely I have almost no recollection of the actual game at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lets B Avenue Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Whilst having the half-time **** at the top of the grass bank, a mate of mine got nudged and being in a parylitic state, went ar se over and down the bank. He returned for the 2nd half covered in (mud?). The seats had no backs to them and were all filled with water. I thought The9 would have mentioned the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 I flew over on the Monday and hired a dirty great black Ford Explorer. Soon learned to drive like the Romanians; don't bother queueing up to turn left, just go to the front of the queue and blag it. We went into the Carpathians and bought loads of cheap crystal. I ended up filling a suitcase with sausages, smoked loin of pork and shallots on strings bought at the roadside. I drove to the ground and asked a police motorcyclist where to park. He got off his bike and opened up a huge metal gate and guided me into a private compound to park. He refused to take any money from me and was there at the end of the match to unlock the gate. Mine was the only car there. It took ages to drive back to the hotel due to the fact that the roads were awash with mud and we parked up and caught a cab to the north of the city centre to a pub recommended in the Rough Guide. Like everyone else, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsarum Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 I flew over on the Monday and hired a dirty great black Ford Explorer. Soon learned to drive like the Romanians; don't bother queueing up to turn left, just go to the front of the queue and blag it. We went into the Carpathians and bought loads of cheap crystal. I ended up filling a suitcase with sausages, smoked loin of pork and shallots on strings bought at the roadside. I drove to the ground and asked a police motorcyclist where to park. He got off his bike and opened up a huge metal gate and guided me into a private compound to park. He refused to take any money from me and was there at the end of the match to unlock the gate. Mine was the only car there. It took ages to drive back to the hotel due to the fact that the roads were awash with mud and we parked up and caught a cab to the north of the city centre to a pub recommended in the Rough Guide. Like everyone else, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I thought you always drove like that, it was certainly interesting going over the cobbled streets the speed you were going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 A few photos : You can see my old falt in that photo. That road and the square were also used as the pitlane for the FIA GT racing in 2007. That was odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 You can see my old falt in that photo. That road and the square were also used as the pitlane for the FIA GT racing in 2007. That was odd. Did you live near the Palace then ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Almost opposite, yeah. On the corner of Regina Maria and Libertatii (which is the road you where on when you took the photo, looking towards Piata Constituti) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat from Poole Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 One of the local dibble who was in the away end was absolutely stunning. Reminded me a little bit of the Elton John "Nikita" video for some reason. Sorry, can't do a Rule 1. Couldn't take any pictures, as my missus was there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Almost opposite, yeah. On the corner of Regina Maria and Libertatii (which is the road you where on when you took the photo, looking towards Piata Constituti) Just checking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 One of the local dibble who was in the away end was absolutely stunning. Reminded me a little bit of the Elton John "Nikita" video for some reason. Sorry, can't do a Rule 1. Couldn't take any pictures, as my missus was there as well. I think we asked (me being single and pretty miserable about life generally at the time ) and they were most Eastern European in their refusal to allow us to photograph her. I do have a pic of you and the wife in that batch, which I haven't included, but I can sling it up here if you like, along with a few of the people at the back of the rowdy coach as mentioned earlier (inc Fordy) ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Shared a plane with Rivaldo to Switzerland on my way to Romania. Once I got there I thought I had stepped back in time with horse and carts everywhere. A mental taxi driver f'in and blinding at gypsies broke Lada land speed records on the route in on some of the worst roads I have ever seen. Brilliant night out before the game although I nearly got killed at a, ahem, `nightclub' when my mate left his wallet at the hotel but happliy bought numerous ladies drinks all night - thank god I took enough wedge out with me. Spent the day in the pub like an Englishman on tour, which was enjoyable as no one was looking for trouble. We almost missed the kick off due to the heavy traffic, then once in the stadium I spent 2 hours laughing at another mate who didn't wear a coat. I got soaked even with a coat though. The only thing I recall about the game was the excellent home support and the subdued away support due to said rain. Brilliant four days. Enjoyed it so much I'm off to watch Brum next season in Europe with another mate to relive the experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughieslastminutegoal Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Absolutely p155ed down with rain the whole time I was there, which was from lunchtime on the day of the game until the following Sunday (cheaper flights). I, like everyone, had a pee off the back of the stand down the grass bank. There was a fit Romanian policewoman who everyone was being very nice to, I went over to the segregation fence and gave a local five dollars for my Steaua 1986 European Cup Final scarf even though he only wanted two, and spent the whole time feeling like something akin to royalty by virtue of having a lot more money than anything cost. It was really strange to go to the shopping centres and see that consumer electrical goods, tvs, DVD players etc were the same price as at home, knowing that apart from the hotel, everything else was dirt cheap - a pint (Tuborg seemed popular) was the equivalent of 40p and apparently they'd hiked the prices up for our visit ! The coach we had had police outriders and was very boisterous to say the least, the coach park was so muddy the coaches were barely able to go forwards up the slight slope, the whole thing was under about 2 inches of water (except the massive uncovered drain which someone fell into thinking it was a puddle), and the whole occasion was absolutely mental and sodden. I also went to Ceausescu's Palace, which was just ridiculously ornate compared to the standard of living experienced by the people in the surrounding areas - apparently Romania no longer mines pink marble because it was all used in the palace, and there were 10 floors of underground bunker that were equally palatial. Also went to Dinamo's ground (dump) and got soaked by a passing car which went through an enormous mud-filled pothole. And it rained. Did I mention that it rained ? Welcome to Romania. It could have been worse, it could have been Bulgaria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Brilliant trip. We stayed in the Intercontinental Hotel which was right by the subway where a few weeks before they had been filming a tv documentary about kids being pimped out, Nice. We got there with a crazy Police escort. Initial impressions were that they didn't seem to have very many road laws in Romania. Yep, loads of stray and rabid looking dogs wandering around, even right in the middle of Bucharest. In the afternoon before the game we ended up drinking in what looked like a makeshift bar that someone had just stuck up between 2 buildings. Remember quite a few locals in the street looking on in bewilderment at us Saints fans (probably a 100 or so) all merrily drinking and singing. Seemed like all the Saints fans were well behaved except for a few sad Gallagher Brother lookalike wannabees who seemed to find kicking stones at the locals and abusing them a source of entertainment. Onto the game (another hairy police escort) and up the muddy bank for a slash in the conifers. Loads of armed Police, although they were friendly and sharing cigarettes and telling us the best places to drink. After the game I vividly remember during the Steaua players lap of honour that they were reluctant to come near our fans. Yet when they noticed us applauding them they came over and clapped us back. There were a few numpties in our end having a go at people for clapping them, but oh well. I think I'm right in saying that at the time we had taken more away fans to their ground than any other English club. I chatted to some of their fans who said they couldn't believe how many we had taken there, and that they thought because we were English that there would be loads of trouble. After the game and it was a tour of some seedy looking downstairs Bucharest bars with beautiful naked women everywhere. Mind you by this time I was completely hammered so they might have all looked like Corp Ho's mum. Oh, and you could buy beer in KFC with your food. That was good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 26 April, 2011 Author Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Strangely, I seem to remember the atmosphere being pretty subdued too, for the numbers we had over there. Was it around 1,500? Remember how good the home support was though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat from Poole Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 It was about 2,000. But we never sing when we don't have a roof, especially if it's raining. The Steaua fans were mentally loud. I was almost pleased that they scored at the end so that we could hear them go a bit more mental, we were going out on away goals anyway, so it didn't really make a great deal of difference. We did miss a couple of great chances to win the game earlier on though. Think Phillips had one in particular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Delap had a good chance in the second half, centre of the goal just outside the 6 yard box which he scuffed. Hope one day we're back playing those sort of games, would love a few more European aways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Great time and My first "European tour" When the draw was made I ran upstairs to try and book cheap flights before the airlines hiked up the prices when they realised 2,000 people wanted to go to Romania on the same day. The rest of lads did the same, but my flights were a fraction of the cost of theirs and no one could work out why mine were so cheap...... A final check, before i hit "proceed with booking" and I was about to send 8 of us to Budapest, instead of Bucharest..... An easy mistake When we got off the coach, at the hotel, the guy told us "Only use the yellow cabs".....sometimes it's worth listening to people that know best. After the match our coach was stuck in the mud and valuable drinking time was being lost..... We'd have to get a taxi, but as mentioned above there weren't many of them, we split into two groups and I managed to hail down a taxi (It wasn't yellow) and off we went. The driver then told us it would be about 3 million, lei, which from memory was about 300 quid. The hotel was 10 minutes away, I laughed and told him what i thought of that and where he could stick it and he pointed to a sign in the car that read "Fares cannot be negotiated, once the car is in motion” He was smiling and laughing and I was getting ****ed off and shouting at him he wasn't getting 300 quid... he just kept smiling, the lads in the back were getting a bit nervous and I was getting more wound up, but there was three of us and one of him, so I fancied our chances. He then pulled out a business card "Armed bodyguard and Chauffeur service" and smiled even more as he moved his jacket back to show me his GUN. Nice. I carried on with the fact he wasn't getting 300 quid, but the mood had (Quite obviously) changed. He then get on his mobile phone and we couldn't understand what he was saying, but we figured we would have a welcoming party wherever he ended up taking us....... Just as we approached the hotel, he swung the car round and we ended up on some gravel track, with no street lights and back on his phone. Proper squeaky bum time. Just as I thought "It" was about to happen, we were back at the hotel, but from the other side. I think he was trying to **** me up... fair play to him it worked I can't remember exactly what we ended up paying him, ( I think it was around a 100 quid or so) or who negotiated the new rate, but if I wasn't ****ed off with being soaking wet or getting knocked out of Europe, I was certainly ****ed off now. Short lived though..... quick shower and back into town for a great night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double1 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 The gorgeous waitresses in Pizza Hut and their astonished faces as each fan in turn ordered a large "sharing for 2" Pizza for themselves. Cheap beer, being rich for a day & a fantastic atmosphere from the home support. My mate falling over in a bloody gert puddle in the coach park afterwards. Cracking day despite the rain & cold. Only downside was Andy Steggle pushing his way to the front of the queue at the airport. Prize to55er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 26 April, 2011 Author Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Delap had a good chance in the second half, centre of the goal just outside the 6 yard box which he scuffed. Hope one day we're back playing those sort of games, would love a few more European aways. Yep, that's one of the only reasons I would like to get back to the Premier League before I get too old, so we can experience a few more european away trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Welcome to Romania. It could have been worse, it could have been Bulgaria. It snowed the whole time I was in Bulgaria. On the bright side, it was a ski trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Delap had a good chance in the second half, centre of the goal just outside the 6 yard box which he scuffed. Hope one day we're back playing those sort of games, would love a few more European aways. If there's one thing the Europa League guarantees, it's shat-loads of random European games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the Soviets for the nice underground stations they probably insisted were built, and some cheap tube journeys : A very clean, empty train carriage, but utterly petrifying at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 One of the main reasons I follow England away is because i've not much hope of doing it with Saints anytime soon. I was 14/15 so a bit too young to make Bucharest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Spent 4 months in Romamia in the summer of 92 in a place further North calles Iasi (pronounced Yash) teaching English to Medical Students - hooked up with Med Student from Edinburgh..... fantastic overnight first class train journey when heading home ;-) It was bleak then, but crackin people and a fantastic time, but being only 2 1/2 years post revolution it was still very much like a commie state, but with a few western bits and pieces - so if you think it was still bleak in 2003, for me it was actually quite wierd how far things had progressed with western food chains etc, and actually items you could buy in the shops if you had money... back in 92, the department stores had racks and racks of shelves all filled with teh same tin of dubious looking food stuff, or feather dusters etc... tons of whatever stuff they could get... queues for bread which was usually stale and markets selling nothing but tomatos and green peppers... nothing else was in season or available.... also it was around 95 F the entire time and got eaten alive by Mozzies 2003 - rain rain, beer, crumbling stadium, rain, 1-0, great laugh, got a decent Steaua shirt froma taxi driver at the airport - probably a nIke fake, but who cares, he only got an old 2001 home shirt that I had brought as a along as a spare anyway... home fans completely mad, but good banter, especially after the game... airport at midnight was hideous, nothing open, and a long wait, but cant miss these nights, special stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1576 Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Diva club, ah the memories!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TUS Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 My lasting memory was ending up in a bar opposite the ground after the match. Well, I say bar but it was more like someones house. Me and Giordano were the first 2 Saints to brave going in to what looked like an intimidating place (Torres bottled it ;-)) and got a standing ovation. So bizarre. A few more Saints wondered in later and we had a cracking night. The night was ended when some Romanian stood on a table and let off a Roman Flare (the crazy red ones) and started waving it about. The place FILLED with smoke and everyone bailed. A nice Romanian we had befriended sorted us a legit taxi and threatened the drive not to over-charge us as he'd taken his details down, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Got there a week early and thats all I'm telling! Other than to say what a great week (except for the result) 5 great mates and a city to explore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 26 April, 2011 Author Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Was there any sort of pub or bar where most Saints fans congregated the night before and during the day of the game? Like this.. I seem to remember finding small pockets of Saints fans in different places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 26 April, 2011 Author Share Posted 26 April, 2011 A few photos : Some good pictures there. Our flags looked bad though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 My lasting memory was ending up in a bar opposite the ground after the match. Well, I say bar but it was more like someones house. Me and Giordano were the first 2 Saints to brave going in to what looked like an intimidating place (Torres bottled it ;-)) and got a standing ovation. So bizarre. A few more Saints wondered in later and we had a cracking night. The night was ended when some Romanian stood on a table and let off a Roman Flare (the crazy red ones) and started waving it about. The place FILLED with smoke and everyone bailed. A nice Romanian we had befriended sorted us a legit taxi and threatened the drive not to over-charge us as he'd taken his details down, haha. If it was the bar opposite the home end, it was much more fun before the game & rain, then walking straight into the home end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocco boxo Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Flight out of Bournemouth (our big rivals do they go from Southampton when they in Europe;-) ) "Loads of faces" on plane. Being met by a bevvy of working girls in our hotel! Many a sing song in bar with said girls, many a drink with said girls. Off to town fill in the blanks!!!!! Return to hotel said girls and more still there! Match wet result upsetting said girls cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TUS Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 If it was the bar opposite the home end, it was much more fun before the game & rain, then walking straight into the home end. Tried finding it on Streetview without luck. The place looks very different in day/sunshine. It prob was opposite the home end, as we had to walk around the stadium/car park from recollection to get to the away end. I remember it being a low building, white, set back slightly from the path with a large fence in front of it. I joked as we walked past "We should go in there for a drink" and the Romanian guy outside overheard and started shouting "Yes, Yes, Yes - England you come in here." Torres mate - did you ever go back and find that place when you lived there? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Torres mate - did you ever go back and find that place when you lived there? ;-) Nope. Did try when I went to see Steaua (I waited for the weather to improve as I seem to remember it being a little wet when we played there, not sure if anyone has mentioned that? In fact, I could be the only one on here to get sunburnt whilst watching Steaua) but nothing around the ground looked how I remembered it. It was always quite funny getting the train out of Bucharest from Gard du Norde and seeing the good old Ibis (and that's a crappy part of town, it really is) and I used to go to the Harp quite a bit (I'm sure many on here went there) and also watched the 2007 Champions League Final (Liverpool lost to someone...) in the Dubliner. I remember getting a taxi back to the airport early in the morning and thinking it was a bit of a grim ****hole but I would honestly recommend a return trip to anyone if they go when the sun is shining. It's a cracking city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsacar saint Posted 26 April, 2011 Share Posted 26 April, 2011 Nothing wrong with Bulgaria,whoever mentioned it. My mate and his wife have a lovely property they own in Ventrino about 45 km from Varna. It is a lovely village and the people are superb.[My mate is also a big Saints fan to boot,and has a season ticket at St Marys which he uses when he is home] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyNorthernSaints Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 I left my waterproof jacket in my Ibis hotel room :-( Never been so wet at a game. Hands were so wet i couldn't roll a ciggie. Remember the toilets seemed to be the trees on a hill behind us. Good memories of staying a week out there and getting train to Blacksea coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TUS Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Nope. Did try when I went to see Steaua (I waited for the weather to improve as I seem to remember it being a little wet when we played there, not sure if anyone has mentioned that? In fact, I could be the only one on here to get sunburnt whilst watching Steaua) but nothing around the ground looked how I remembered it. It was always quite funny getting the train out of Bucharest from Gard du Norde and seeing the good old Ibis (and that's a crappy part of town, it really is) and I used to go to the Harp quite a bit (I'm sure many on here went there) and also watched the 2007 Champions League Final (Liverpool lost to someone...) in the Dubliner. I remember getting a taxi back to the airport early in the morning and thinking it was a bit of a grim ****hole but I would honestly recommend a return trip to anyone if they go when the sun is shining. It's a cracking city. Yeah, that area around the Ibis was a dump. I remember our 4am stagger to the local McDonalds, avoiding the rabid dogs en route. And the rather absurd taxi we took from airport > hotel when we arrived late, that guy was bloody mental - aiming for the pot holes :-o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Did anyone else stop in this hotel? Since had a paintjob, and full refurbishment, looks a lot better than the fleapit back then. It had a statue of two dogs sha99ing on the front garden, classy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinamosaint Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Trip down memory lane. Never made it to that game but went to the Steau ground for the Arse-Steau game a few years later....proper dump. Was herded into some holding pen with the Cockneys and watched a rat eating a live frog while we stood and stared. Son was born overlooking the Dinamo ground. That was no better. Made the Dell look like St. Marys. Also watching the playoff game down the Dubliner and having hopes dashed to ribbons. Hopefully we can avoid that this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Saint Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Due to work my mate and I could only do the day trip but lots of our mates did the week. Late one night they were wandering around the city-centre looking for a 'night-club' when the old bill pulled up. 'Here we go' they thought but the OB were as good as gold and after explaining what they were looking for the OB recommended a place, I think they may have even given them a lift. Inside the 'night-club' there were quite a few 'single ladies' One mate took a shine to one of them and spent the rest of the evening talking, dancing and buying her drinks, He told me cos he was so rich out there and her being so fit, he was going to treat her like a 'normal' lady and was going to ask her to dinner next day, then go on out clubbing with her..a night off sort of thing. Later on, but still in the club, whilst he was back with our mates, suddenly one of the lads reappeared 'where have you been'? ask my mate. ' well you know that girl you've been talking to all night? Well I just took her outside and payed her for a bj' Needless to say he went off the idea of snogging her again, let alone buying her a meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinchesterSaint Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Just remember how unsafe the ground was, no bogs, no food, crumbling terraces and steps and it chucked it down the whole time. Great evening after the match though, everything so cheap and glad I went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint137 Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Awesome trip. Highlights include buying pizza for an entire bar it was so cheap, being a Lei millionaire for a day, taking pictures of what turned out to be a military consulate where our coaches were parked up and getting a very irate guard toting his gun at me, exchanging scarves with very friendly Steaua fans and chatting to the riot police (calling Ceaucescu a **** who deserved what he got seemed to immediately endear me to them, although on reflection was a bit risky), freezing to death on the terrace in just a long-sleeved Toffs '40s retro, praying it didn't go to extra time due to genuine risk of hypothermia, being busting for a **** on the coach on the way back and waiting until the airport only to find that we had to queue outside, giving Andy Skateall abuse for jumping the queue, getting home at 3am from Bournemouth completely shattered to the point I couldn't sleep, and for some insane reason going to work the next day. Some very dark photos here, didn't dare take a proper camera although I reckon it would have been fine. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiloran/sets/72157602124751860/with/1429606638/ Looking forward to future European away days, Fulham supporting mate of mine went to every round of their Europa Cup campaign and has some brilliant memories (highlights: Fulham fans lighting sparkler @ the Perm game in response to the home Ultras distress flares!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Any idea on how many in numbers we took there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 27 April, 2011 Share Posted 27 April, 2011 Was the Dubliner the bar near the Unirea Shopping Centre (last one of my pics) and the Harp somewhere off to the north of the city ? Seeing as a few people mentioned it, here are some Ibis pictures, including the incredibly uninspiring view. And one of the coach trip from the Ibis to the ground... and a random photo taken out of the airport bus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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