As soon as Judith and I had unpacked our bags after our UK trip, we were packing them again to go to Basel. The reason? A football (soccer) World Cup play-off match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
As soon as I realised that the Swiss might be playing either Eire or Northern Ireland in the play-offs, I vowed to try and get a ticket if they were drawn together. Even though all the tickets were sold within 2 hours of going on sale, I managed to get one (Judith hates football), but it was right up in the top corner of the stand.
Now, I’m not Irish, nor Swiss, so it was just a case of saying “I was there”! In a way I couldn’t lose as, on the one hand, another British team might go through, while on the other, it would mean that my ‘home’ country would be covering the Finals next year…
Despite the game ending in a goal-less draw, it was very entertaining. It also meant that the Swiss went through, thanks to their controversial penalty in the first leg. (Hopefully video reviews will be brought into footbally very soon).
I don’t have any pictures of the actual match I’m afraid, as I only had my (very old) mobile phone with me, but I did get a few city shots the following day.
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
How fun!
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Yes, it was certainly ‘different’ – like meeting the (rather drunk) guy from East Berlin (he emphasised the East more than once), who always went to all of the Northern Irish away games ! It takes all sorts… But, more importantly, how is the ‘patient’ – is he recovering or simply insufferable at the moment? He’s gone awfully quiet! Give him a big hug from me!
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Hes actually doing much better now! So the injection helped! He can ride a recumbant bike at the gym, and he’s easing slowly back into walking and running. But he’s in a much better mood these days, so yay! 😂
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Glad to hear that! Don’t squeeze him too tightly then! 🙂
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