Tag: tartan army

We’ll Be Coming

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

This past weekend has been another football based weekend. On Saturday I attended Hampden Park for the third time in about 6 weeks. Which is an oddity in itself. Just how everything has panned out.

Saturday was Scotland’s final game before they jetted off to the USA for the World Cup. The first Word Cup Scotland has attended since 1998. I remember the excitement at High School, as I was ending second year when the tournament was on. It was probably the last time that I tried to collect football stickers. Something I tried numerous times, but never ever filled an album. In fact, I think I shared some with my brother, and I remember getting angry at stickers going on squint, and not as neat as I would like.

Anywho, we were driving to Hampden, and the roads were a nightmare. We did eventually get parked up, and went into the stadium no bother. Nothing beats hearing the Hampden roar during a Scotland game.

The game had already started when we reached the stadium to find our seats. Ooops

We found our seats, and it felt like we were right in front of all the action. I had no idea we were sitting, just got told I had a ticket, and paid for it. It was from a friend, by the way. It wasn’t me buying random resale tickets. Luckily the seats were under the shelter, so that we never got hit by the what seems to be constant rain. But it was a pretty great view.

The players all warming up right in front of us.

The opposition was Curaçao, who have been the smallest island nation to qualify for the World Cup, as they are also off to the USA for the 2026 World Cup. They brought a few hundred fans with them, and they were so noisy. It was great to see. And the Curaçao team were pretty scrappy, and they scored first. Which, to the dismay of the Scotland fans, was well deserved. Curaçao player Jürgen Locadia, received a yellow card for a bad tackle. This was then updated to a red card after the referee checked the VAR. Unfortunately, Billy Gilmour went off with a bad injury. Luckily, things picked up and Findlay Curtis scored an equaliser just before half time

The second half was much more controlled by Scotland. With two Lawrence Shankland goals, and a handful of attempts on goal by Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes, and Nathan Patterson. Scotland felt in control. Findlay Curtis was brought down in the penalty box, and Ryan Christie scored from the spot. The players on both sides gave it a good go but the game ended 4-1 Scotland.

It was a grand wee day out, and a good send off to the Scotland team. The USA is providing to be very expensive, and a lot of Scotland fans are unable to fly to the states. The best thing about Scotland games, as the club you support is irrelevant, as long as you support the Scotland team. Speaking of support, the official Scotland football team YouTube channel have released a documentary called ’28 Summers’. It is about the qualifying campaign for the World Cup, and speaks to the players about their experience in the Scotland camp. They seem a really great bunch of lads, and if anyone can get us out of the group stages, it’s this team.

We Had a Dream…

~ Sue ~ 1 Comment

I have only just recovered from my holiday. Scotland reached the EURO 2024 finals in Germany, so me and my friend decided to join the party. Luckily for Scotland (not), they were drawn against the hosts, Germany. Me and my friend have an annual holiday travelling to another country to see Scotland play. It’s great, we get to meet the same people every trip, so it becomes an annual catch up, and the EUROs have been no exception.

Now Germany, during an international tournament, is very expensive. A lot of people who I knew who were going out to Germany, went out in a caravan, or took out tents to set up at various campsite. It was the cheaper, though not really cheap, option. But as two people with zero camping skills, and no access to a caravan, we decided to stay in a hotel instead. But, again, cost was a factor, so we spent a few days in Munich, the home of the opening match of the tournament, where Scotland played Germany.

Marienplatz, Munich- where Scotland fans met up

The atmosphere in Munich was incredible. Everyone was so friendly. It felt like parts of the city was entirely taken over by the `Tartan Army, it was amazing. When the game was on, the plan was to head up to the official EUROs fan zone, but before we left Marienplatz, we found out the zone was already at capacity, so we stayed where we were. We ended up going to an Irish bar, that had massive TVs outside, and we had a total party. Even though Germany beat Scotland 5-1. Doesn’t mean we didn’t celebrate getting one goal.

Scotland fans watching the game at a pub, Munich

It was an amazing time in Germany, and I am glad I was able to go and be a part of the tournament and revel in the atmosphere. We were in Germany 10 years ago to see Scotland play in Dortmund in Germany. Funnily enough, we were beat that time as well.

We travelled to Vienna after, but I will share that next time. The rest of the tournament for Scotland didn’t go to plan, which was not what we hoped. But, I am not particularly surprised. I was back home for the second game against Switzerland, so watched that at the local pub, where it was a 1-1 draw. The pub was full of happiness and singing, it was a great atmosphere. And then, the final game. Scotland against Hungary. Went to Dunfermline Athletic’s fan zone at their ground, East End Park. If Scotland win, we would be through to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time ever. The whole country was excited, everyone was bouncing. History was in our grasp.

Fan zone at East End Park, Dunfermline. Me and my friend look like we are having a good gossip.

Unfortunately, things did not go our way, and Hungary scored at the very last minute of the game. We lost 1-0. Devastating. Our tournament was over. Bad choices on substitutes and a dodgy formation, lead to sloppy play, and much sadness. I’m still sad today, but it doesn’t take away the experience we had in Germany, the mood that has taken over the entire country. It has been amazing to see our country represented on the international stage. And true friendships have been created, with German fans wanting an annual game between Germany and Scotland, and the Tartan Army being voted the fans of the tournament.

It’s been great, but I hope that next time things go a bit better.

Take A Break

~ Sue ~ 1 Comment

Recently I have enjoyed some time off work. It wasn’t the usual, staying at home and pottering about. For once, I actually went away for some sunshine, away to Cyprus (with stops in Amsterdam and Paris). I hadn’t been abroad since 2019, before the pandemic, and it felt great to get away. I had never been to Amsterdam or Paris before, so it was nice to see somewhere different

Amsterdam was a flying visit, and was really hot. The transport into the city centre, from the airport, was very easy, and the city seems very walkable. You just need to be mindful for the bikes, as they are everywhere, and they don’t always follow the traffic lights. There are designated lanes for bikes, to keep them separate from cars and pedestrians. We took a trip on a canal cruise which offered wine and cheese along with the canal cruise. When I travel with my friend, we never really do tourist stuff, so it was a nice different experience.

It was a lovely way to see the city, and was so relaxing. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to see the city, as it was a lot of fun, and super relaxing. And I think it was the only way for someone, as clumsy as me, to see the city without being run over by a bike.

The main point of the holiday was for the Scotland football game in Cyprus. For me and and my friend, it is has been our annual holiday, our chance to experience another country. We were based in Paphos, which is a lovely part of the country. Spent a lot of time chilling out, and reading, which to me is a great holiday. And also spent a lot of time singing Scotland songs at the pub. Which is normal for a tartan army trip.

@suewantsariot

Scotland are in Cyprus. In Paphos, outside the wonderful flairspaphos. #bagpipes #scotland #footballawaydays #cyprus #tartanarmy #TAontour #holiday #paphos

♬ original sound – Sue

The stop on the way home was Paris. The plan was to spend a few hours in the city, and do some tourist things, like we had done in Amsterdam. But, alas, this did not happen to our expectations, mostly due to a run of bad luck with public transport, which concluded with arriving at the airport 30 minutes before gate closure. It was a nightmare. But all ended okay. We did spend a few hours in Paris. Saw the Louvre and Notre-Dame, and had a (late) breakfast at a wee cafe, which gave us free pastries. (Note: I will never say no to free food.) It was a lovely city, and I would really like to go back and explore more.

By the time we landed back in Edinburgh, it was pouring down with rain. And, with how hot it had been on our holiday, I, for one, was very happy to see it. I came home, got a take-away, and relaxed with a movie. But, to be honest, as much as I love going away on holiday, nothing beats getting back in your own bed. That night was the best sleep I had experienced in weeks. The only problem now, is that I feel like I need another holiday already.

Escaping the Crazy

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

I like to plan events and holidays throughout my year. Something to act like a target, something to aim for, when things get a bit hard. It can be trips to the cinema, gigs, shopping in another city or a holiday. In these modern days, where it becomes increasingly more difficult to disconnect from stress factors, it is good to set aside time to step away from daily life. To give yourself things to look forward to.

Last week I was on holiday to Rimini in Italy, with Tartan Army friends as Scotland was playing San Marino, which was nearby. I like to visit countries that I haven’t visited before. I think that is one of the best things about living so close to so many other countries, as a part of Europe (ignoring Brexit). It has always amazed me, that so many countries in such sort proximity can have so many cultural differences. Especially when you take in to account how big countries like Russia and USA are. So, I like to visit as many countries as I can, whilst I am able to.

I think that it is important to take time outwith your normal life, especially if that life causes you stress. And sometimes, simply staying at home doesn’t seem enough. With the constant barrage of information, simply going home after work is enough to disconnect a person from what is going on around them. So, sometimes it is good to go somewhere different. Somewhere fresh. Somewhere where your mind can relax.

Coming back to reality, can be a headache, though.