9 Oct 2021
FIFA WC Qualifying Group I
Andorra v England
Estadi Nacional
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
A rare programme for England's first ever visit to the capital of Andorra with only 400 printed for the VIPs and other special people
Issue No 171 of the Free Lions was the first for 23 months since the away game in Pristina against Kosovo on 17 Nov 19. We have played the Andorrans twice away before but both of these matches were played at the Olympic stadium in Barcelona.
Estadi Nacional is the national stadium of Andorra and was built in 2014, it has a capacity of 3306 and has artificial turf. The first game was played against Wales on 9 Sep 14 in a UEFA Euro 16 qualifying group.
London Stansted to Barcelona and then road trip to Andorra
As we landed in Barcelona talk amongst the English travellers was about the story of a fire in the stadium which had just broke on the news. There was extensive damage to a gantry, TV equipment, a VAR monitor, seats and some of the pitch was scorched. Thankfully, following quick repairs, it was announced that the game would still go ahead.
After an emotional 3 hour plus drive we reach the Andorran border
After arriving at the hotel in Andorra La Vella it is a quick turn around and we are out on the town
My favourite tapas - Patatas Bravas
Day 2 Ticket collection and match day. Our digs (the Hotel Pyrenees) is slap bang in the middle of the old town and proved to be a decent location for our four night stay.
Selfie by the bronze sculpture by Salvador Dali 'The nobility of time'
The Paris Bridge (Puente de Paris) on the La Valira river
Meeting up with some of the West Ham boys on way to collect tickets
Estate Nacional on the River Valira
Ticket collection took place at 'Estadi Communal d'Andorra la Vella'
View from the top of the elevator
Chilling - Andorra style
Andorran 'Go' signs
Discovering Hostel Barre Antic
The best tattoo in the world
A Malinois called Jacob (yakob)
On the way to the stadium we meet the West Ham boys in Bar Estela and that's where it all goes a bit wrong, but we still got in😎
Stadium Pano
Debut appearance of the 'Grantham Rams' flag
View of the North Goal (Gol Nord) and
the North stand (Tribuna Nord)
Bish Bishop - Wolves and England
Steve Hesketh - Derby and England
The Grantham and Bexley Rams
Derby everywhere
To the East (right of pic) is the surviving TV gantry and the team dug out's
The city of Andorra la Vella rising up to the Pyrenees
England's travelling support in the Gol Sud (South Goal)
VIP stand by the Andorran flag
Tribuna Nord in top left of picture
The game resulted in an easy 0:5 win for England. There were just too many English players that were too hot to handle for this pick and mix bunch of lower league and amateur players, who, despite their organisation, endeavour and fighting spirit just didn't possess a threat.
Stewards are looking lively
Getting your flag down is even harder than putting it up😂
Look at monkey boy go at the bottom of the picture
Back to Hostel Barre Antica for last orders
Day 3 - The sola irrigation canal trail and the shopping mile
The views across the valley are stunning, perfect for flag posing
Estadi Nacional from the picnic area
Estadi Nacional - Photo 2
Estadi Nacional - Photo 3
A closer look at the stadium after we come down from the trail
The rear of the East stand where the fire was
A big bonus was walking straight into this basketball game between MoraBanc Andorra and Gran Canaria. Andorra won 87:71 in Liga ACB, in the first tier of the Spanish league
These seven human figures represent the 7 parishes of Andorra
Puente de Paris
El Refugi Alpi Restaurant
A-N-D-O-R-R-A
The shopping mile was a bit pretentious and not to my taste
There were quite a few weapons on the high street, even Thor's hammer!
In fact there were lots of shops that sold a wide range of modern and medieval weaponry
Old and new Andorran postboxes in harmony
Andorra is ruled by Co-Prince's from Spain and France. The Bishop of Urgell is one, the President of France is another. Just Guitart was the Bishop of Urgell and Co-Prince of Andorra from 1920-40
The Esglesia de Sant Esteve (Saint Esteve church) has Romanesque origins dating back to the 12th C
They really need to get their flag the right way around. Pet hate!
Day 4 - The spa and the under 21 match. Above is the 'Casa de la Vall' which was built in 1580 as a manor and tower defence by the Busquets family
Wall mural taken from the parliament
By the administrative buildings of Andorra is a rusty human cuboid, it'd be rude not to try it out
Trinxat is a local classic, a bit like a bubble and squeak with potatoes, cabbage, leeks, garlic and bacon.
Our quick visit to the cultural centre showed us that Andorra had a team well before they became affiliated with FIFA and UEFA in 1996
This is how the Andorran flag should be displayed!
Gegants d'Andorra la Vella - carnival giants of Andorra la Vella
Next stop is Caldea
The spa resort in Escaldes-Engordany was completed in 1994 and has 18 floors. At 80m in height it is Andorra's tallest building.
One of the highlights of our 3 hour trip was the panoramic bath which nestled high above a flowing river (Valira d'Orient)
Euro Under 21 Championships Qualifier 23
Group G Andorra v England
Andorra U21 0 England U21 1
The tickets didn't seem to be available at the ground but we were offered two in the Bar Estela and just as I was about to cough up, Charlie Mellor 'the Bexley Ram' popped in and gave us two for free
England are currently lying in third place in the group following 2 wins and a draw, with Andorra at the bottom on 0 points. The Czech republic have taken a firm hold of the group with 4/4 wins.
Bar Estrela is the home pub for the national football team of Andorra and MoraBanc Andorra, who are the local basketball team playing in the Spanish league
The atmosphere is building, time to mask up
Tonight we are in the posh seats
DCFC and England recruitment scheme
Andorra's future
Astro fantastic
The Grantham and Bexley Rams
1:0 win to England U 21 was a good result considering the pathetic sending off
Time to go home
No comments:
Post a Comment