🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
The derby has not been played on the first level for 50 years. In the past, with both clubs in various stages of decline, it was based on mutual respect, making good-spirited fun of each other, drinking lots of beer, enjoying the game for the expression of community that it is. A derby that fits well to the ‚ein besserer Fußball ist möglich’ ethos that drew me to Union. The fact that it is happening today should be a cause for celebration and euphoria.
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 Römeth

It‘s so much a part of Brussels that we dedicated a part of our Bxl corner in our living room to it.

Alas,powers that aren‘t interested in the game,that have a very toxic or exclusive idea on how to express community & that certainly do not have access to the spirit of Zwanze are making my attendance to the game neither desirable nor really possible. They are also spoiling the fun around it. It‘s a sad day for football, no matter the result of the match. Football fans in Bxl have already lost.

Sep 28, 2023 at 10:36amWeb
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023

For a more positive outlook, go here: https://rusg.brussels/en/news/union-molenbeek-historic-rivalry

#RWDUSG #ZwanzeDerby

Union & Molenbeek, a historic rivalry

The rivalry between Union and RWDM is not a recent one. The first real derby took place in 1912, when RWDM were still known as Daring Club, and the rest is history, with derbies that have never ceased to be the talk of the Belgian press. The rivalry was even immortalised in the play 'Bossemans et Coppenole', a great classic of Belgian theatre.

RUSG
Show threadThe ol' tealeg 🐡Sep 28, 2023
@Squig that seems like a sad outcome. One thing that the commercialisation and internationalisation of English football has had an impact on is the spirit of derbies. I feel that keenly between Everton and Liverpool - in the city the rivalry was always sort of friendly, opposing fans exist within families, and couples. Now the vitriol, largely from on-line fans, misunderstanding banter for genuine hatred, is unbearable.
Show threadThe ol' tealeg 🐡Sep 28, 2023
@Squig of course I can't say that without making a remark about hooliganism in the UK. That was an awful time too, but a different thing. I've never understood it, but it had very little to do with the game itself, and everything to do with small-minded bigotry and some kind of "fight club" ethos of masculinity. The "crews" in Liverpool saw Manchester as a common enemy, and apparently even worked together. This is not a reflection of football at all. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Road_Cutters
County Road Cutters - Wikipedia

Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
@tealeg There's much more to this derby that's problematic than Hooligans (they are more the cherry on the top), it's the league authorities scheduling it at 18:30 on a Thursday, and the police mandating that you go there by bus (so we'd have to meet at our stadium at 3 the latest), even though both clubs and the fans implored the league authorities to move it at least an hour back.Even the TV broadcaster okayed it.
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023

@tealeg And now we have some wannabe hooligans (our club does not have any) can just threaten an attack, and we are forbidden to meet around our stadium. The square where some of our bars are (but where a lot of non-football fans usually go as well, us being a minority) was not closed down, so their hools decided to attack there (after our ultras did not respond to them asking them to 'meet‘.

Basically no police presence, just bad management all around.

Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
@tealeg (Local authorities are also blocking us going ahead with building a new stadium, so we have to play in Anderlecht, where their fans attack us more or less unprovoked (stickers were involved, but that's a bad reason to kick someone's teeth out or pee on someone if you ask me) and the police does again nothing.
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
@tealeg it‘s a bit funny that in a week I‘ll actually be at Anfield road to watch a game against Liverpool 😅
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
@tealeg if you have any tips for the city, I‘m all ears :)
Show threadThe ol' tealeg 🐡Sep 28, 2023
@Squig so.. if you're looking for a pub before the match, it's probably best to see where other away fans are planning to go - I wouldn't go to the Sandon, for example. The Arkles is ok. Regarding culture - if you're there early enough it's worth heading down to the docks. The Maritime Museum on Albert Dock is quite interesting, grab some lunch at the Baltic Triangle. Check out the Liver building maybe. It's a good hours walk from there to Anfield, and probably as long on public transport
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023

@tealeg we have the Friday as well, so we need a pub for breakfast (and were planning on the beatles museum, for better or worse).

Before the game we‘ll just follow the USG herd, that‘s sensible :)

Show threadThe ol' tealeg 🐡Sep 28, 2023
@Squig 5 minutes walk from the Beatles museum: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186337-d14077338-Reviews-Lucy_in_the_Sky_Liverpool-Liverpool_Merseyside_England.html
Show threadThe ol' tealeg 🐡Sep 28, 2023
@Squig I've never eaten there - so not a personal recommendation, but it's well-reviewed.
Show thread🦕 Justus ☠️ Tóth 🏁 RömethSep 28, 2023
@tealeg thanks a lot! We‘ll checkit out :)