SpVgg UNTERHACHING (Stadion im Sportpark)

3.LIGA, SpVgg UNTERHACHING 0-0 1.FC SAARBRUCKEN, ATTENDANCE: 1,100

Our weekend in Europe began in one of the most famous beer cities in the world, Munich. An early arrival meant plenty of time to visit a couple of brew houses, the best one today being the Augustiner.

The beer was so tasty that we lost track of time so that meant a very quick dart to the s-Bahn in order to make kick off. The running of the trains into the suburbs meant we may not have made kick off so we bailed out a few stops earlier and jumped in a taxi. We made it to the ground with just 5 minutes to spare! Luckily there were plenty of tickets available on the terrace for 8 euros a pop.

Founded in 1925, Spielvereinigung Unterhaching are Munich's third team and have played in the lower reaches of German football for most of their existence. In terms of wider publicity SpVgg Unterhaching are probably more famous for their Bobsleigh division (a bobsleigh features on the club badge) which has won World and Olympic titles.

The football team did have a moment in the sun, so to speak, at the turn of Millennium when they reached the Bundesliga for season 1999/2000. They finished a respectable 10th in their debut season and denied Bayer Leverkeusen the title by beating them on the final day. The following season though they finished 16th and were relegated, but they did enjoy beating both Bayern and 1860 in league games.

They are currently members of Liga 3, the, err, third tier of German football where they are currently mid-table.  The opposition tonight was 1.FC Saarbrucken, which is a town near the French border, so that meant a long trip on a Friday night for the team and it's supporters, of which I'd say around 200 made the journey.

I always try to be positive with my brief match reports but I was really struggling with this one. The game ended goalless and I can't recall either goalkeeper being forced into a meaningful save. My ability to speak German is less than limited but even I know the word 'scheiss' and this game was definitely that! 

Bloody cold on the terrace as temperatures dipped below freezing and the game nor gluhwein did little to warm us up. So, so glad to get back to the warmth of a beer haus!