Lech Poznan vs Polonia Warschau

                                                                             

Lech Poznan fanatics putting on a display from a famous movie. Can you tell? 

  

Lech matches are all too familiar with extraordinary tifo and choreography. The standard for all around to world to aspire towards.

Lyrics in Action

There's too many men, too many people

Making too many problems

And not much love to go round

Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

Those are the lyrics from Phil Collins and Genesis from the 1986 song Land of Confusion. They were telling of a time in the mid 80's in regards to societal concerns especially political one. Well fast forward to today and these lyrics still apply, especially when it comes to the current events surrounding the Columbus Crew Soccer Club and the Nordecke. Now I was not in attendance but rather at a boxing card (I know, shame on me) , but the text that came across my phone where disturbing both on and off the field. For starters, the team on the field lost at home yet again to Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0. As I tend to say failure to score, failure to win. But it was off the field that would concern me and disturb my mentals. There were reports, some confirmed and others I'm still digging information on. But talking points consist of the following:

• Fights among fellow supporters
• squabbles among fellow supporters
• CSC security staff tossing people from the section
• beats and rhythms thrown off to some silence due to a heavy vibe over the section

So there we have it. The Nordecke and the team mirroring each other in terms of having the vibe of a sewer fire. While the Nordecke can't control what happens on the field (although vocal and visible means of disapproval make a point to the team and club suits), the people in Nordecke can aim to spread a philosophy that puts more emphasis on discipline and focus on supporting the team, and not putting alcoholism and ego over the section.

Life Right Now

Haven't made a post since November 2011, and as the photo suggests, I have had plenty on my mind since then. And many things on my mind has turned into action. For  example, the start of the Major League Soccer season for Columbus has seen my time and money invested in making banners while scheming ideas for other displays. The globe spins while the ball keeps rolling  meaning that there are so many leagues and games to keep my eyes busy. But as I'm following the sport globally, the passion of fanatics and supporters remains constant.  The amount of activity in blocks, curvas, ends, terraces, even arenas are continually being displayed. I might be an American  but I consider myself a student to these visual displays from ultras, torcidas, barra bravas, etc.  It feels like an education of sorts, always learning about fresh concepts, fresh objectives, the highs and lows of  fanatic culture. I will always be infatuated with this. 

Bundesliga Best: Hertha Berlin

On 26NOV11, the supporters of Hertha Berlin in their Ostkurve won my attention as the best of that Bundesliga weekend with this display:

Bundesliga Weekend Favorite: FC Ingolstadt's BRC'08

My German fussball pick of the weekend goes to FC Ingolstadt's supporter group named BRC '08. They started out in 2008 and to this day consist of 14-20 year olds. They spent several months independently saving the money and they consider this their best ever display. RESPECT!

Bundesliga Matchday 12 Favorite

My Bundesliga display of the weekend goes to FC Koln's away support at Werder Bremen.

Something about that worn look

Banners looking old, maybe torn, frayed on the edges. The paint on a logo or text is chipped, cracked, maybe even chunks are missing. To some this may look tired, and the banner appears  ready to be tossed, replaced, or maybe the need to paint over the cracks and chips. Sometimes this is the case, but often times, this distressed look can  be unique to the supporters area and railings because they have worn the test of years. Although these distressed banners are inanimate objects, if one looks at them, they show years of joy and pain, winning and losing. They have been through the elements of all four weather seasons, have been pulled, folded, balled up like twine. Sometimes beer or even stadium food might appear on the banner. At the end of the day and night, these banners remain a vital part of supporter culture.  Like the worn look, supporters of the team go through the good and bad, but still remain true to the colors of the team.