Everyone is all excited to get into World War II because the villains are evil psychos instead of bad governance and mud. Up until AP Euro, I’m pretty sure the only thing I had been taught in a class was the Archduke’s death caused it and that The Treaty of Versailles was draconian. WWI was treated like the Star Wars prequels would have been had they been released first and everyone wanted to get to the more interesting bit.
Yeah, agreed on all of that. Which I think is unfortunate. The lead up to WWI is incredibly fascinating and necessary to understanding WWII and even Europe today. The war itself is horrifically boring. I wish my high school had offered AP Euro. I have a history degree and my study was concentrated on Europe from Napoleon until "now" I guess. Last specific history class I took was on modern eastern Europe so we got about through the end of Yugoslavia.
My favorite fact ever is that one of Napoleons Marshall’s and his brother’s brother in law became King of Sweden mainly because Napoleon was a big deal. Some random French guy named Jean Baptiste Bernadotte with a tattoo saying “Death to Kings” is who the current Swedish royal family are descended from.
Second best fact is Denmark winning the Euros after initially failing to qualify because of the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Michael Laudrup didn’t even play because he was a dick. He later coached Swansea. And now we are back on topic.
I’m all for that as long everything isn’t Western Europe all the time. Don’t want any Marjorie Taylor Greene Anglo-Saxon types milling about.
I'm for a debate over if Georgia is in Europe or Asia. And the best bars to go to in Bucharest. Western Europe is boring.
Poor Georgia got fucked. Hasn't gotten into NATO or the EU and is constantly trolled by The Kremlin. Budapest > Bucharest IMO
We did Vienna > Bratislava > Budapest > Krakow. Coolest thing was that Budapest junked (almost) all of the old Soviet statues and shit in a graveyard on the outskirts of the city. Had to take a bus there. Really what we should do with the confederate garbage here. Schönbrunn and Hofburg are incredible.
Did you find out that your secret agent partner 006 was actually alive in the Soviet Scrapyard and revealed himself to be a double agent?
Only getting one of the two things that probably annoy the hell out of Georgians should be considered a success. They got the state of Georgia confusion but avoided any reference to Stalin growing up there.
Anyone here ever been to Loftus Road for a QPR match? The wife and I are headed to London in the Spring and thought we'd try and hit one up while we're there.
Just curious about the process. From all I've read, it appears the best (only) bet is to wait until tickets go on sale roughly a month or so before the match. I dont think QPR have the biggest following, just curious also how tough it may be to get tickets. I think West Ham also play at home the same time we're there, but I know it's much tougher to get Premier League tickets than Championship ones. Any advice you have would be helpful.
The bolded is exactly right, and depending on their season you can still snag them a little close to matchday (but youre less likely to be under the overhang). I waited until ~10 days out and had to sit front row; which may sound cool but with London weather it aint. I posted my QPR match photos itt iirc. I have been to almost all London teams stadiums within the past 5 years so have a decent enough perspective. In terms of Loftus Road and QPR generally = Great area. If you can check out a concert at Shepherds Bush Empire do it. Hammersmith is a great neighborhood with pubs and restaurants, even down to the Thames path. On the other hand...Loftus Road is a dump. Small cavernous corridors. Shitty infrastructure. Takes forever to get a beer. Hard to move around. And only 1 stand to place Bets. Unless you are a QPR fan, only reason to go is if they are in a London derby. I went when they played Brentford for this reason and was a great atmosphere. But otherwise, a pretty bland environment. West Ham = I would not do. London Stadium is a shame. The Stratford area had to be conceived by Americans or Middle East money. Just a corporate shame. Wembley = no clue when you are going. I have only been for Adele concert. Pretty basic setup. Getting to/from Train Station is a bit unsafe with large crowds. Arsenal = unless a big match or you are an Arsenal fan, its whatever. I am very familiar with Islington, or South Islington if you find yourself around there. Spurs = Probably the best Stadium in the world. I have been to several of the newest builds and it is flawless. The team on the other hand...But very ethnic neighborhood with tons of character. Chelsea = Amazing atmosphere. Amazing neighborhoods. By far the best option in London. And, in a tie with the next stadium, probably the most Wife friendly. I have been 3 times but know the Fulham area incredibly well. Or did pre-covid (not sure whats open restaurant wise). Fulham = My personal favorite. Great venue. Great supporters. Best Neighborhood. Only issue is now is not the time for one of their matches until they finish the Riverside project. I could go on and on about how great it is. Brentford = This I have not been to. I have been to Twickenham. I have been around Richmond and Kew. Super posh neighborhoods. But I should note their new stadium is supposed to be cool. No clue on getting to it from Train station. Millwall = Not Wife Friendly. Super grimey and industrial. Fans are like a mix of Alabama and New Jersey. Hooligans. But quite the experience. Watford = sorta hard to get to. Its on the overground and if you dont get the Fast train that skips stations you take forever. And they sorta a long walk to Vicarage Road. Love their fans and loved sitting in Sir Elton John stand. They knew about Atlanta United well because of Academy Players, so when I showed up to Will Call they were all about us. They treat their academy like family. Have not been to AFC Wimbledon, but have done the tennis. Awesome neighborhood. Lots of good South African restaurants there. Have not been to Palace, but Brixton and the ethnic scenes further south are fucking phenomenal. LOVE it. Some of the best Jamaican curry ever. Clapham down there cool as fuck too. But more white posh like Wimbledon/Richmond. Have been to Brighton and Bournemouth too. Easy access from London, especially Brighton. Have not been to Bristol City or Cardiff, but have been to their towns. Would check out again if I am ever back in UK.
And ticket access is basically more or less uniform: (1) Option 1 = pay a nominal fee to become a team member. I did this with Arsenal. Then based on Your tier, depends when your time slot opens up for tix. (2) Option 2 = single games like 30 days out. This is your best bet. Easiest. (3) Option 3 = stubhub or viagogo or the like. This is tough for tourists. But it can be done. You just need an Address or a Friendly Front Desk at a Hotel (tho some ticket brokers want Billing/Mailing to match up). Then you will have to mail back the Season Ticket Holder card. But if you go to a Carabao Cup or FA Cup match, you dont. You will pay more this route, but you also have better options in terms of seating. Which matters for Wives. I had a London address so was easy for me, but my wife for an Arsenal-Newcastle match did arrange for a Hotel Concierge once to hold the tix. Just identify with Match fits your schedule, follow rules on Team website, then figure it out. If there is a Will there is a Way. Even try calling Team's Will Call or Box Office. Explain you are travelling thousand of miles away and see what they can do. I did this for a Watford-Bournemouth match. They hooked me up.
Thanks dude, this is really helpful. QPR is playing Fulham the week we're there, so that could / should be an interesting Derby. I wish Fulham had been playing at home, Craven Cottage looks like an awesome venue. Chelsea is also playing at home, but it's vs. Brentford, so I'd imagine it'd be hell trying to get a ticket to that match.
west brom @ bournemouth kicks off in half an hour and there is a full slate of efl games tomorrow. i am excite paid $350 to watch swindon town and ipswitch because they signed villa loanees here we go confirmed
not sure how many people on this board have really paid attention to the efl but it's pretty legit. i like watching league one and two matches. usually more than the premier league
efl is definitely the most entertaining league to watch. obviously theres always that desire to be in the top level but I enjoy seasons in the championship more at this point. plus you get the local announcers on fulham fc tv. its a better product overall.
I enjoyed villas seasons in the championship and have followed the efl since agree it is in a lot of ways superior to the premier league
No have to pay on their website it’s only 1 efl game per time slot on espn+ I have scunthorpe v Swindon on my tv and Luton v the posh on my iPad