GROUNDHOPPING CAN BE AN ADDICTION...

We will meet this time an another Polish groundhopper, who talks about his passion...

MM: At the beginning could you introduce yourself?

My name is Rafał, I am 27 years old. I live in Tychy and support the local GKS Tychy

MM: How did you get into groundhopping?

It all started with my second passion - travelling. Once, on the occasion of a trip to England, I decided that maybe it's worth seeing some local football. And that's how I started. Football trips are the perfect plan for a short or long weekend trip. Spending time somewhere where I have never been before is fun, getting to know new places and the local folklore is a plus.

MM: What fascinates you about traveling for football?

Mostly the people I meet at matches. In fact, what is happening on the pitch is the least important, I do not really care. What is most important to me is what is happening outside the pitch, the atmosphere in the stands.

MM: When did you start with groundhopping? How many matches and how many stadiums do you have on your account?

It's hard to pin down a specific date. Only since 2014 I keep records. I think the number of matches is around 1000, while the number of stadiums is approaching 300.

MM: A very remarkable number. How many countries have you visited for football? What are the most exotic places?

To this moment, I have been to 13 countries, and I consider Israel and Georgia the most exotic.

MM: How do you choose your matches, your tours?

I don't have any special key for short-term trips. I just try to arrange everything to see 2-3 matches on a given day. However, when it comes to longer trips, I choose one specific match, for example a derby, and to this particular match I i will arrange the others.

MM: Have you ever experienced any inconvenience on your trips?

Problems sometimes arise abroad. Most often they are related to the availability of tickets for the selected match. It happens that if you have not taken care of the ticket before then you might have some problem. Fortunately, it never happened to me that I did not enter a match for which I had traveled many kilometers.

MM: Do you have any interesting stories about tickets? The groundhopper must be clever in every situation.

Last year I was in Bulgaria. I chose a derby match between Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Botev. The day before the game it became known that the sale of tickets had ended. Nevertheless, a few hours before the game, I decided to take a look at the stadium and see if anything could be arranged. I bought a ticket in front of the stadium, from one of Loko's fanatics, as it later turned out. However, when I entered the stadium, the qr code from the ticket was invalid. After all, I was allowed into the stadium. Until today, I wonder if the ticket was real.

MM: How do you travel?

Locally, by car, when it comes to longer trips, I choose trains, and preferably planes.

MM: Do you collect anything from the matches you have visited?

First of all, tickets, and I often bring home scarves from my travels. After all, the most important things I bring back are my memories.

MM: Fanzines are popular in Poland. Have you never considered publishing your experiences in a magazine?

It happened several times that my photos were published in some zines. This is enough for me. Besides, I think that the readers would not be interested in my often quite picnic approach to matches.

MM: Do you have your own stickers or mascots to mark the stadiums with?

Yes of course, sometimes I mark the stadium I visit with a sticker where you see the blog's logo.

MM: What countries or matches do you want to visit in the near future?

Balkan countries for sure, I like the atmosphere there. Recently, a very good "guide" to fan groups in the Balkans has been published in Poland, so something will definitely be chosen.

MM: What would you recommend to novice groundhoppers, how would you inspire them?

It is best to start with groundhopping in your own town or neighboring towns, and not necessarily at the highest level. If someone doesn't like it, it's ok, he will let it go. If someone feels curious and want to see something more, then he can get addicted. It is a very addictive fun.

MM: Finally, what would you wish for in 2021?

To be normal and fans are allowed back to the stadiums.

You can find Rafal´s advantures at https://footballsightseeing.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/footballsightseeing.