Dutch Eredivise Sparta Rotterdam 1 Groningen 0
Same division as yesterday, much lower quality game, but oddly better experience. Sparta play in a small 11,000 capacity stadium hemmed in by housing in the middle of Rotterdam, feels very urban, local and Loftus Road ish. But the seats have leg space, there is decent beer and very good meatball sandwiches available within sight of the pitch, no huge queues for the bogs (designed for the Dutch the tallest nation on earth, so could be a challenge for anyone under 5 foot 10) even in a sell out crowd and very open and friendly home fans.
Sparta play in red striped shirts because one of their first ever games was against Sunderland and the visitors left their kit. They also don’t have squad numbers (doubtless the PL and EFL would ban this) and the team which takes the pitch wears numbers 1 to 11 and they play in roughly the right positions. This will confuse youngsters but was a delight for this old git.
Saito played 47 games on loan here and scored 10 goals, they love him. They now have an even smaller Japanese winger but he isn’t very good.
Highly recommended. Rotterdam is big, industrial and not at all pretty but has a funky vibe and fun locals.