Soccer in WORLDWIDE Listings

The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is one of those big cities that often gets overlooked. Known more for its tendency to eat small cabbages and produce kung fu fighting actors, this is a place that is severely misunderstood. It may be the home of European politics and men in grey suits, but there is far more to this growing capital. R.S.C Anderlecht are Belgium’s most successful club and, with them currently fighting towards the top of the table yet again, are on track to stay that way. In addition the city has one of the last traditional breweries in the city, opened since 1900 and it’s the home of Tin Tin!!

If you happen to be into comics, some people are you know, then the Comic Strip Museum is a place that shouldn’t be missed. And finally, how can you not visit a city where its most photographed statue is called The Pissing Boy!?

The Football

Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht have always been the biggest club in Belgium, based in the south west region of Brussels. Anderlecht play their home matches at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. The stadium has been the club’s home since 1917.

Capacity: 28,063

Formally known as Parc Astrid, the stadium was renamed after the club’s honorary president former player and coach for the club.

Constant Vanden Stock’s son, Roger is the current President with a great family tradition installed at the club, no chance of foreign investors here.

In Tribune 4 behind the goal plays host to 7000 standing spaces which is where you’ll find the most vocal of Anderlecht support, The Mauves Army is the main ultra group of Anderlecht expect the odd flare but most common a flamboyant “tifo” (fan art choreography) before matches.

Being in Belgium there are no shortage of places to drink before the game, and we know all the good spots that many other don’t!

Would you like the chance to train with one of the youth squads of an Argentine professional club? Then this camp is for you!

We offer a complete experience with the youth members -of whom many will be professionals- of one of the most popular and successful teams in the country.

You’ll lodge with them in a professional complex (or with an Argentine family if desired), with food prepared by the club’s nutritionist; daily training provided by coaches who teach Argentine soccer systems; the possibility to know and meet professionals; a visit to the stadium and the chance to see a game in an impressive environment. Overall, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in surroundings that are designed to turn young talent into professional footballers.

Exclusions

• Flights
• Argentina airport entrance fee (for people from the US, Canada & Australia)
• Insurance
• Meals outside the included meals
• Transportation for non-included activities

The city of Lyon, France’s third largest city, is famed for its architectural delights and, with its gastronomy and culture being a big draw card for international visitors, it’s a city we can’t wait to visit. With its galleries and museums, parks and gardens, there’s a lot to see here. Cinema as we know it was born right here in this very city!

Lyon is also home to the fantastic, and not half bad, Olympique Lyonnais (holding firmly in France’s Ligue 1), and is one of the host cities of the European Championship Finals in 2016. With a new stadium currently being built, we are planning to do many trips here over the next few years. Can’t wait.

The Football

The Stade de Gerland is home of French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais with this season due to be  their last one here as they intend to move into their new home, the Stade des Lumières after Euro 2016.

Capacity: 43,000

Home to Olympique Lyonnais since 1950

Has hosted matches at 3 other major sporting tournaments, Euro 84, France 98 and the Rugby World Cup.

Lyon will be leaving behind a classic old English style stadium with 4 individual stands and no corner sections while the new stadium resembles a Wembley like design. Stade de Gerland is just over 2 miles from the centre of Lyon so the city’s bars and pubs are the best bet for a pre-match tipple.
There’s a string of bars and restaurants along Lyon’s main river, The Rhône, or if you’re seeking out fellow fans on a match day, then the Place des Terreaux is a large open square which always attracts fans.

It’s hard to believe that up until the millennium, Lyon’s trophy cabinet looked rather bare. So much so that their title winning season in 2001 was the first time the club had won France’s Ligue 1. Remarkably, they then went on to win the title 6 more times in consecutive seasons – a French record.

Lyon’s success was built on shrewd business acumen from owner Jean-Michel Aulas who earmarked an ambitious plan to make Lyon one of the giants of European Football.

The team’s success on the pitch was down to their focus on developing and nurturing young talent. Lyon are responsible for the careers of Michael Essien, Florient Malouda and Karim Benzeman as well as a host of other French international stars.

Experience the Arsenal in Sydney

Since co-hosting the World Cup in 2002, football (known as soccer in Japan) has enjoyed a surge of popularity in Japan. Whilst baseball is still firmly entrenched as the number one sport, football received another boost in 2011 when the nadeshiko or Japanese women’s team won the Women’s World Cup, the first time an Asian team has ever won a FIFA World Cup.

Many Japanese players now ply their trade in the top leagues in Europe, although the majority of the Japanese National team play in Japan’s J. League Division 1. Recently, an influx of Brazilian players has added excitement and flair to the competition.

Sitting with the cheer squad is the highlight of any J. League match, with a carnival-like atmosphere. The organization is perfect and the enthusiasm in infectious; before long you will find yourself joining in with the chants. Don’t worry about the language barrier though, as most of the chants involve singing the team name over and over again (although with names like Kyoto Purple Sanga and Ventforet Kofu, this may not be as easy as it seems!)

We recommend trying to catch a Nagoya Grampus Eight game in InsideJapan’s home town. But it’s easy for us to book tickets to any major game in cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Niigata and Sendai. Wherever you are, as the stereotypical football hooligan doesn’t exist in Japan, watching a J. League match is exactly as sport should be: good, clean fun.

The J. League season begins in March and ends beginning of December.