Glasshütte SV 1 - 1 Ulidia

Ulidia FC on tour (strip by Artigrass!)

The original purpose of the weekend in Hamburg was to reinforce our link with Glasshütte SV and at the same time bring the team together with a few beers and banter. There is no doubt that mission was well and truly accomplished and nobody died although there could yet be complications which could lead to premature death as an indirect result of 48 hours in Hamburg.



Magic looks happy with his stuka dive!





McKenna tells the paparazzi where to go!



Nerves were fraught before the game as Ron Manager insisted on no alcohol before or during the flight to Germany. It therefore came as a relief when big Rudi produced a case of beer before the game in an attempt to lull the opposition into a hyper relaxed mood. This plan backfired as it was just what was required to settle the anxiety that had been plaguing the Irish travellers.

Jolinho contemplates his outside bet of Australia for the Eurovision Song Contest

Blind Boy of Cullybackey dips into his illicit liquor stash!

Eventually, around 12 hours after leaving home, the game kicked off in earnest and the Belfast Betis were immediately on the back foot. Safe hands from Big Kevin (hands like shovels and feet like feet) settled the back four who contained the onslaught from the German Panzer division. The Blind Boys of Cullybackey were readying themselves for a gas attack when Sepp Maier lobbed one over the top to the feet of Magic McCloskey. Summoning up all his devilish flair, Magic ran straight at the shellshocked keeper who had no choice but to pull him to the ground. The referee eventually awarded the penalty after consultation with the Luftwaffe and, hey ho, it was jolly spiffingly fantastic to poke our noses in front when McKenna stepped up and dispatched the spot kick with all the aplomb of the rooftop sniper that he isn't.

 

A few changes were made on the pitch but the travelling team looked more likely to add to their tally before the half time whistle.The ceasefire allowed the home team the chance to regroup and reorganise themselves for a full scale attack in the second half.

The German changes had an immediate effect on the game and again the Ulidia goal was under siege. Wave after wave of Blitzkrieg attack were repelled but it was only a matter of time before the Germans got what they deserved. A pinball experiment in the Ulidia box ended up with the ball in the net and the Germans thought the Maginot Line had been breached. Ron manager had other ideas and fresh legs gave Ulidia a couple more chances to win the battle. A winner in the crossbar challenge, McKenna, thought he had stolen the lead when an adept left foot volley rebounded off the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Did he do enough to win "Man of the Match"? A split vote with Paul McCoy's considerable work in midfield proving the deciding factor.

Ron and Cruncher debate Girly Bhoy's contribution

Post match revelry in the Glassshutte club continued late into the night/morning on the Reeperbahn. Some bodies only arrived home in time to get up for the St Pauli match and some decided that they liked the hotel so much that they would spend most of the morning in the lift. Others chose the pavement outside as their preferred resting place for the late evening and some opted for the second floor corridor!

Dirk does not wear white sox!

The Jolly Roger was the pre St Pauli match venue and a fine establishment it is too. Celebrations continued into the night as St Pauli put five past Kaiserslautern.

Girly Bhoy dispels the myth!

The Hamburg team have indicated that they are going to put together another tour to these shores within a couple of years, so who knows, maybe a return to that corner of Schleswig Holstein is a possibility for Ulidia.

A final reminder that we are still fundraising for Weiry who was our goalkeeper when the Germans first invaded Belfast. If you haven't contributed, please consider doing so at www.justgiving.com/weirysbuffs. The page will close down at the end of the month!

Vorsprung durch Astra (the beer, not the car)!