Glenda's Legs
Paul Walsh
It was good all in all.
Yes a pain having to get the buses and the delay in setting off was annoying but I have to say that once we got moving, the Istanbul traffic police were excellent in the way they managed a convoy of around 30 buses, stopping traffic along the way so we had a pretty much clear route through. Queuing to get in was a pain. Well it was for me as I was on one of the first coaches to leave which unfortunately meant I ended up being furthest away from the entry point when the buses offloaded us so it took a good hour or more to get through ticket check, initial search, turnstiles, then second search.
I had read about Man Utd supporters being there last season and that was a nightmare as it was pouring with rain. We were lucky in that respect because I hate to imagine that experience in rainy weather.
Once in the ground everything was fine. And the hold back wasn’t too bad. It was less than in Milan a couple of years ago.
There was no chance of engaging with Galatasaray supporters.
Inside the ground yes the atmosphere was brilliant and I imagine being out on the pitch would be intimidating. Personally I just found it all very noisy and whistly and very orchestrated. But a cracking atmosphere nonetheless.
A great experience only marred by the result.
