Hungarian fan tour, Slovenian glory

As some of you know, I was in the nice city of Celje in Slovenia with my father last weekend. We took part in a foreign tour with the fans of "MKB Veszprém KC". Fortunately or unfortunately, it is not a simple and short-length story.

It is that I have been cherring for this handball team for a long time, believe it or not. Although soccer is closer to my interest, I watch several handball games on TV and live (especially in Nagyatád) as well. So, about a month ago, when Veszprém played its home game against the opponent Slovenian team called "Celje Pivovarna Lasko", me and my dad decided that we would travel to Celje. "Why not?"-we said. It isn't so far, we have a good car, and the match will be played on weekend. And of course we had always wanted to see our favourite handball club live again.

Consequently, my father called the main club office in Veszprém to ask for tickets and required information. Of course this procedure was not so easy we had thought before. They said that it is not solvable to get tickets and give them to us for its price. The man, who answered the phone was a member of the Club's stuff, recommended that we should phone a lady, who was responsible for making fan tours for ages. He finally gave us the lady's name and number. Some days later, I brought myself to phone her. I had a pleasant speaking with a 60-65- year-old elderly woman. She told me everything essential: Prices, dates, conditions.

As my father did not really like this way of getting to the match, I had to find someone to travel with. Fortunately, I know that one of my friends, an ex-classmate, would like my idea. It was so. He said "yes" at once. However, I asked him to think it over. A week later we came to an understanding. He is a real handball fan by the way, he used to play it. There can't be any problems, I said for weeks. Everything went perfectly. I managed to get accommodation in Veszprém, tickets for the match, seat in the fan coach, my parents let me travel etc.

Ohh..but that Friday...16 November..I was sitting on the bus, travelling home with my friend, Krisztian from Pécs. My phone was ringing, so I answered it. Ohh that he was..my ex -classmate.. He claimed that he wouldn't be able to participate in the fan tour. I felt that my breath stopped, I can't say a word neither. I was to start shouting, or something like that. I was just gazing at Krisztian. He didn't know what the hell was going on. In nutshell, Péter, the BME student from Balatonlelle, my ex- schoolmate said that he had to write several tests on Monday otherwise he would be kick out forever. He never was that diligent student in the past.. I believe him at present as well!! BUT I cannot think he hadn't know it at least 2 days before his calling??!! I had already reserved everything. Tickets, seat, hotel room and so on. He phoned me to late, you know. I was working too much to cancel everything I did. So, it became true that he would not go Sunday morning..

Though, at the beginnings it was impossible, but my father himself came with me to Celje. I am really grateful and proud of him, undoubtedly. Now it's sure that he is not only a good father, but also a great friend. It was a huge procedure for him to come, but he solved it.

So, firstly we went to Veszprém Saturday evening and stayed for a night. I was already excited there, of course. Next day, 18 November at 5 a.m, we had to go to the car park of the local sport shall. The 2 coaches ( a bigger one, attendance: 89, and a smaller one attendance: 49) were to leave from that place. It was just snowing and snowing.. Oh my God- I said quietly. Why today? When we travel abroad.. But we recognised that the tour would not be canceled as several people had appeared by 6.30 a.m. We had to wait for some fans but around 7 a.m we leave for Slovenia. On the way to Celje we had to stop many times as there were fans from other smaller villages who got on the bus later on. Consumption of beer were growing an growing so it was yet an other reason to stop very often. :-)

The situation didn't change during the tour. By 12 a.m we had reached the Hungarian-Croatian border where we were forced to stop for an hour, because the vast majority of the fans were got drunk and they said impolite words to the policeman and started to smoke. But we arrived to Celje, Slovenia at 3.45 p.m, singing fan songs in the bus and drumming. Everyone got off the bus and walked straight into the arena. The local fans bid us welcome. (It 's good to know that "Veszprém KC" and "Celje PL" fans are the closest friends within the handball society!). We changed scarfs and flags, drank beer together etc. Fair play, oh yeah.. it should be the same everywhere else!

Well, me and my father were watching this Champions League game live, in a huge arena (built some years ago, it fits for even 6000fans!!), with men and women from Veszprém, who were wearing suits and scarf of the team, as we did more or less, shouting and applauding all the time, unbelievable...indeed. It was one of my best experiences. Due to my father.. I would say that it was cruel, tiring, snowy but it worth without any doubt. Although the Hungarian team lost (23-28), and they may fall out from their group, I didn't mind travelling there. I have also many photos and a video record from TV. I am glad to tell it to you, but I had so good time, you know. I hope I 'll have chance to go to such a match in Veszprém or in abroad again, hopefully still in the Champions League. I am adult, I keep on organizing, and loving this team which is surely more than the local team of Veszprém..