Germany U21 v France U21
UEFA Euro Under 21 Championships 2025
Semi Final
Košica Futbalová Aréna Košice, Slovakia
25 Jun 25
After leaving Nitra 2 days early due to illness I was determined to get well and travel back out to Slovakia on 24 Jun. This time I would fly into East Slovakia (Košice) from Stansted and attend the other semi final between Germany and France
The locations
Tickets were available online via the UEFA U21 website. I purchsed our tickets before the draw and was hedging my bets that we would win the Group and come to Košice! Sadly those pesky Germans won the group and sent us to Trnava but continued with the original plan as I wanted to visit the east of the country and head to the High Tartars
The Košická Futbalová Aréna is a new stadium located on the outskirts of the city. It's construction cost 22.5 million Eu and was completed in 2022. It has a capacity of 12,658 and is the home stadium of FC Košice who play in the Slovakian top tier. It has also been hosting the home games of the Ukrainian team Dnipro 1 when they play Europa Conference fixtures
Attendance: 11,913
Day 1: Arrival into Košice on my Ryan Air flight from Stansted on 24 Jun. The sun is out and its going to be a belter
Arrival at the fabulous Pension Horse Inn
A quirky little room in the loft
As we venture into the centre Sue identifies her moment for stardom, it's the 'Art Film festival Košice'!
The oldest coat of arms in Europe (reputedly)
Statue of the famous Slovakian painter 'Julius Jakoby'
in front of the impressive Cathedral of St Elizabeth
Pizza for a late lunch
Scissors at the ready....Go!
A photo gallery in the centre of the city showcasing Košice's football legacy, including the day they hosted the national team on 8 Sep 24, with a 2:0 win against Azerbahjan
The Immaculata statuary is a sculpture of the immaculate conception built in 1723 as recognition for the the resilience of the people during the plague
We stopped off at 'u Medvedá Pub' (Bear Pub) to sample a variety of ales and Slovak food
We just made it in time for the singing fountain
and she sang for us 💫💗
St Elizabeth's Cathedral lit up at night
Day 2: Matchday and tourism
First on our list was the steep climb up the Gothic staircase
of St Elizabeth's Cathedral's Northern Tower.
"The bells, the bells.."🔔
The view from the balcony is amazing, these colourful tiles remind me of St Stephen's in Vienna
Facing East towards St Urban's Tower
Sue putting into practice all the skills that she learned
at the Bell Ringing classes in Hough on the Hill
View Northwards to the National Theatre
and the Musical Fountain
Chilling on the Imperator's Balcony (Ruler's balcony)
A tour of the balcony
Next we visited the Lower gate Underground Museum
Fabulous exploring whilst the sound of trams, busses and cars rumbled away above you
Memorial to the Red Army is on Liberation Square and has stood since 1945. It is a bit run down, probably because of the 50 years under the Soviet Yoke which followed
the 'so called' liberation of Czechoslovakia
Banner advertising the Euro U21 Champs in Slovakia
OK I've found the French Bus, whose got the tennis balls
Taking a stroll around the City Park
Jakab's Palace, the former seat of the president of Czechoslovakia 1992-2000 was closed
Mikluš Prison but in 1911 it became a museum
Pub Kohúta (Rooster pub) located on Craftsman's row
for a fabulous lunch
Traditional Wooden Churches at the
East Slovak Museum
Central Pub on Hlavná (Main St)
Contemplating life, waiting for Mr Bishop
The start of Craftsman's Row and a
sign for a Herbalist Health vendor
The Hen in the Rooster's Bar
Bish has arrived at the Prosecco Bar,
just in time for England's SF in Trnava
At the entrance to my gate I met up with 2 Germans (Heike and her boyfriend) that I had previously met at the Station Bar in Frankfurt during Euro 24 - See Blog No 117
The view from D2 was spot on but Sue was having problems in C/D so I had to speak with the stewards and rescue her to bring her into my section 😇
C1 - C6 to our left
The Main Stand with the VIP and Skybox areas
The Stadium seems packed at the KO
After celebrating England winning their Semi Final at the Prosecco Bar it is time to enjoy a stress free live event
The Germans are in rampant mood as they storm into a 2:0 lead with goals from Weiper (8') and Woltemade on (14'). The French have yet to lay a glove on the Germans
In the 3rd min of extra time Gruda makes it 3:0 and to set up an England v Germany Final
The Stadium announcer presents tonight's attendance as 11,913 which is very close to capacity
Day 3: The train ride from Košice to Poprad Tatry and the gateway to the High Tartras
The ZSSK Train official on parade to wave us off
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