Football in Mechelen

Well the day had to come when I had to visit yet another football stadium in Belgium. I had the fortune to be invited to watch a game with KV Mechelen against KVC Westerlo. I had no knowledge of Mechelen as a football club but I was educated a lot during this match, apparently had Mechelen won one of the European tournaments back in 1987 against the mighty Ajax Amsterdam in Strasbourg. My friend and his wife were a regular encyclopaedia regarding this team which they both had followed for years; it was great fun to get all this knowledge enjoy a match together.

The stadium was not that large but it was very cosy stadium with an enormous atmosphere from an inspiring spectator crowd. They were singing during almost all the match and they had very good song – which also were publish on the fan group home site. The stadium could host around 15.000 spectators and they had almost sold out to every match. To this match between the current number 7 and 11 (Mechelen) was almost sold out.

We were given outstanding conditions by having the first summer evening this year with a temperature of +20 degrees Celsius even though the match started at 8 pm. When I arrived I was amazed by the grass on the field – it was the most wonderful lawn I had seen for years, apparently the care taking was done by a school – a green keeper school! We were at the stadium almost an hour before kickoff and there were to youth teams playing against each other on the field in from of at least 5000 spectators. What fun it must have been for the kids – when I played football in that age I would have been happy if my parents had watched. We watch the match a bit but decided to get a beer before the game.

The game was intense but also a bit nervous because the teams were standing almost too good towards each others. The spectators were making it very fun to be there with all their songs. I second half Mechelen put some pressure on Westerlo and had a nice goal. After this both the atmosphere and the tension grew to another level – also on the field. The referee handed out 10 yellow card and one red (to the home team) before the match was terminated. It had been great fun.
If you have possibility to watch Mechelen on own grass don’t hesitate – the atmosphere is great and the songs and general liveliness is fantastic. Good fun!