Moscow - we weren't there and enjoying it .

woodside · Post by **woodside** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:13 pm

Oh the joy of watching the European cup final from the comfort of my armchair and feeling rather smug that we didn't make it. I give thanks to two dodgy refs in the quater final. Why is this i hear you ask ? Firstly we've all heard the horror stories of actually attempting to get to Moscow. A grand for a plane ticket, having to travel via Riga or Outer Mongolia and if you actually make it to the Russian capital all the hotel rooms taken because the corporates have snapped them all up months ago.Surely a trip to a European final should be a fun day trip not a load of hassle ! I don't know about you but when i day dream about Arsenal playing in the European cup final we're playing Real Madrid , Bayern Munich or like two years ago Barcelona. If we'd made it this time round we would have faced our old mates from Old Trafford. This would have been the fourth meeting with the Mancs in the season. Where is the romance in that ? Not very exotic is i ? In the build up to the final the press were full of scare stories about the Moscow pitch. Ultimately they were proved right. Up stepped John Terry , over he goes and the rest as they say is history. You've endured a journey from hell, had to re - morgage your house for the pleasure and then the result is decided by a dodgy playing surface ! Yes i was quite content with the reassuring environment of my front room, a cheap bottle of plonk and not a worry in the world. Next year is a different matter ! I'm gagging for us to get to the final. UEFA have chosen a venue with friendly locals and an understanding local constablary. Rome anybody ?

proudtosaythatname · Post by **proudtosaythatname** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:43 am

I agree almost totally with your sentiments. Only difference is that I wish we'd got there but I still wouldn't have attempted the journey - but would have felt guilty for not doing.

Anyway, the venue should have been switched once the finalists were known - and Moscow compensated by a 'donation' from fans of part of the saved travel costs ie Moscow Â£1000 minus Paris Â£100 leaves Â£900, so Â£100 per fan compensation still saves an arm - and for Mr Terry a leg too

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:08 am

Bernabeau is 2010 venue believe, prefer that to Rome as better stadium.

World Soccer magazine had article about venues last month, they claim that England will not host a Euro final until government change tax laws to make participants in final exempt from paying UK tax rates on money earned from the game.

proudtosaythatname · Post by **proudtosaythatname** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:22 am

Anyone would think they are short of a few bob! Or perhaps it's part of Scudamore's fall back plan for the failure of the 39th game idea? Rome, Madrid, Paris - fine by me. Vladivostock, no thanks...