Six Nations: Wales v Italy

Matblack · 25-02-2008, 11:53

On Saturday we went to the Millenium Stadium Cardiff to see the Wales v Italy match, this was my first taste of live international rugby, in fact it was my first live rugby match at anything above school level and my first major sporting event outside of athletics!

What an amazing atmosphere it was, we were staying in Bristol and traveled to Cardiff in a train packed with Wales fans and the odd Italy fan dotted about. I was really suprised at the friendliness of all the fans both to them comrades and also to the opposition fans, there was more agression from the moaning English on the train both before and after than from the Itallians. Cardiff was populated by fans and the stadiium is literally in the city centre so we had wander about and a quick drink in St Davids Hall which had a projector ready for those without tickets.

Both sets of fans put on a great display with the Itallians singing and chanting and the Welsh laughing and pointing

We got seated pretty sharpish with pints of wine bought from caterers

and spent the run up to the match marvelling over the selection of different people from toddlers with face paint and dragon hats to 80 year old couples who had come from all over to cheer for their team. We had Italians behind us who bellowed their national anthem and shook hands with us before the match and wished us luck.

The game wizzed by in a flash, I remember jumping up and down, screeming and being on the edge of my seat at times, singing Bread of Heaven and generally having a great time.

We couldn't have been further away from the pitch (right up in the Gods) but the view was amazing and I got a view of rugby which you seem to miss on TV, a team moving as a single animal constantly reforming and setting up the next play, rather than individuals. I have to admit at anyone time I didn't know which player was which, but it didn't matter because we were watching a team, single minded and comited.

Twice the Italian's bounced penalties off the posts to the great delight of the Welsh fans, those posts were definately made of Welsh wood!

And a resounding victory to top it all off

47-8

The exit from the ground was amazingly well organised and we were on a train and traveling back within 30 minutes of the end of the match despite long queues the whole exercise was well organised and easy with no worrying about getting the right train.

I can highly recomend the Millenium Stadium as a venue for a big event

Makes you proud to be ...........er...........British

MB

Will · 25-02-2008, 11:59

That's why I love going to big rugby matches. The atmosphere is immense, the people are friendly, and you can rip it out of the other team and yet still buy them a pint along the way.

I'm glad you enjoyed it - it's brilliant. I've only been to handful of worldcup/6nations games you just can't beat it.

Belmit · 25-02-2008, 12:19

Great review. I don't have much interest for certain sports, or things like the intricacies of cars, but there's people on here that show a lot of passion for things and it makes me genuinely interested in the subject matter.

Goose · 25-02-2008, 13:54

I think we need to start arranging BD sports-related meets. It's been too long since I was last at an International match.

Will · 25-02-2008, 14:13

Defo.

Matblack · 25-02-2008, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

I think we need to start arranging BD sports-related meets. It's been too long since I was last at an International match.

http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthr...069#post186069

Like that?

MB

PvtPyle · 26-02-2008, 10:52

Great review MB. Unfortunately, I find watching the Welsh rugby team win against anyone other than South Africa to be a truly galling experience..

Matblack · 26-02-2008, 11:23

I used to dislike the Welsh, they were the butt of many a joke and gennerally I thought they must be unplesent people and everyone I spoke to seemed to dismiss them. Then when my parents moved there and I started spending time there I actually realised they are one of the nicest nationalities (this is all terrible stereotyping of course).

The general sense of humour seems very dry and self depracating and everywhere I've been (admitedly this is mostly South Wales) I've always been made to feel very welcome and the 'bloody English' attitude is always done in good humour.

I'll support any of the home nations vs anyone bar England, Its never recipricated and most Welsh, Scots or Northern Irish would seem to prefer England to loose badly to just about any other nation but what the hell, live sport is live sport and the Welsh team certainly do entertain.

MB

PvtPyle · 26-02-2008, 15:00

I wouldn't say I dislike Welsh people as a nationality, in fact I have no opinion either way. There's just far too many hair products on the field when Wales play. I cannot stand Gavin Henson, he is massively overrated IMO and I actively loathe him. Shane Williams on the other hand is one of the best wingers in the Six Nations, but I can't help but feel he as well as some of the other senior players in the side are constantly over-confident and possibly a little pretentious, considering their side failed to reach the latter stages of the World Cup.

Admiral Huddy · 26-02-2008, 15:31

I've been to both twickers for England RU and wembly for England Footie but the best atmosphere in any game is still the FA cup final, of which I've been to three. Amazing day if you can get a ticket. Fortunately I was a season ticket holder for years. Interestingly, I was in the atic and found my 1987 ticket which cost me face value of £8

25-02-2008, 11:53	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Six Nations: Wales v Italy On Saturday we went to the Millenium Stadium Cardiff to see the Wales v Italy match, this was my first taste of live international rugby, in fact it was my first live rugby match at anything above school level and my first major sporting event outside of athletics! What an amazing atmosphere it was, we were staying in Bristol and traveled to Cardiff in a train packed with Wales fans and the odd Italy fan dotted about. I was really suprised at the friendliness of all the fans both to them comrades and also to the opposition fans, there was more agression from the moaning English on the train both before and after than from the Itallians. Cardiff was populated by fans and the stadiium is literally in the city centre so we had wander about and a quick drink in St Davids Hall which had a projector ready for those without tickets. Both sets of fans put on a great display with the Itallians singing and chanting and the Welsh laughing and pointing We got seated pretty sharpish with pints of wine bought from caterers and spent the run up to the match marvelling over the selection of different people from toddlers with face paint and dragon hats to 80 year old couples who had come from all over to cheer for their team. We had Italians behind us who bellowed their national anthem and shook hands with us before the match and wished us luck. The game wizzed by in a flash, I remember jumping up and down, screeming and being on the edge of my seat at times, singing Bread of Heaven and generally having a great time. We couldn't have been further away from the pitch (right up in the Gods) but the view was amazing and I got a view of rugby which you seem to miss on TV, a team moving as a single animal constantly reforming and setting up the next play, rather than individuals. I have to admit at anyone time I didn't know which player was which, but it didn't matter because we were watching a team, single minded and comited. Twice the Italian's bounced penalties off the posts to the great delight of the Welsh fans, those posts were definately made of Welsh wood! And a resounding victory to top it all off 47-8 The exit from the ground was amazingly well organised and we were on a train and traveling back within 30 minutes of the end of the match despite long queues the whole exercise was well organised and easy with no worrying about getting the right train. I can highly recomend the Millenium Stadium as a venue for a big event Makes you proud to be ...........er...........British MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

25-02-2008, 11:59	#2
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	That's why I love going to big rugby matches. The atmosphere is immense, the people are friendly, and you can rip it out of the other team and yet still buy them a pint along the way. I'm glad you enjoyed it - it's brilliant. I've only been to handful of worldcup/6nations games you just can't beat it. __________________ *No No!*

25-02-2008, 12:19	#3
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	Great review. I don't have much interest for certain sports, or things like the intricacies of cars, but there's people on here that show a lot of passion for things and it makes me genuinely interested in the subject matter. __________________

25-02-2008, 13:54	#4
Goose The list is long, but distinguished Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Århus, Denmark Posts: 1,643	I think we need to start arranging BD sports-related meets. It's been too long since I was last at an International match. __________________

25-02-2008, 14:13	#5
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Defo. __________________ *No No!*

26-02-2008, 10:52	#7
PvtPyle Sofa Boy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wield of the Shire Posts: 701	Great review MB. Unfortunately, I find watching the Welsh rugby team win against anyone other than South Africa to be a truly galling experience..

26-02-2008, 11:23	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	I used to dislike the Welsh, they were the butt of many a joke and gennerally I thought they must be unplesent people and everyone I spoke to seemed to dismiss them. Then when my parents moved there and I started spending time there I actually realised they are one of the nicest nationalities (this is all terrible stereotyping of course). The general sense of humour seems very dry and self depracating and everywhere I've been (admitedly this is mostly South Wales) I've always been made to feel very welcome and the 'bloody English' attitude is always done in good humour. I'll support any of the home nations vs anyone bar England, Its never recipricated and most Welsh, Scots or Northern Irish would seem to prefer England to loose badly to just about any other nation but what the hell, live sport is live sport and the Welsh team certainly do entertain. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-02-2008, 15:00	#9
PvtPyle Sofa Boy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wield of the Shire Posts: 701	I wouldn't say I dislike Welsh people as a nationality, in fact I have no opinion either way. There's just far too many hair products on the field when Wales play. I cannot stand Gavin Henson, he is massively overrated IMO and I actively loathe him. Shane Williams on the other hand is one of the best wingers in the Six Nations, but I can't help but feel he as well as some of the other senior players in the side are constantly over-confident and possibly a little pretentious, considering their side failed to reach the latter stages of the World Cup.

26-02-2008, 15:31	#10
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	I've been to both twickers for England RU and wembly for England Footie but the best atmosphere in any game is still the FA cup final, of which I've been to three. Amazing day if you can get a ticket. Fortunately I was a season ticket holder for years. Interestingly, I was in the atic and found my 1987 ticket which cost me face value of £8 __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

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