Sports supporters have long had a gallows sense of humour and it’s hardly surprising the Covid-19 crisis has thrown up the masked fan.
Enterprising businessmen and clubs have been busy marketing masks with their team’s crests and colours.
And they have been snapped up by fans who are never left wanting when it comes to the latest merchandise.
The Belgians have been leading the way.
In Brussels Molenbeek have face masks going with club logos which reportedly fetch €7 a piece.
And champions Club Brugge, Liege’s Standard and Ghent’s KAA have been weighing into the initiative.
With charity a major beneficiary.
Which isn’t surprising as the Belgians remain one of the most empathetic nations in the world.
On account of their challenging history… In Flanders fields and https://visitbelgium.com.
The craze has caught on too in the UK with some of the less fashionable clubs to the fore.
So a shout-out to Bournemouth, Dundee United and Dumfermline.
Ja beauty
Yellow peril: Borussia Dortmund. www.bundesliga.com
The Germans are kicking off again today with the eyes of Europe taking a greater than usual interest in the live afternoon game Borussia Dortmund v Schalke.
Dortmund fans are renowned for their passionate support.
But alas their ‘Yellow Wall’ of fans at the Westfalenstadion will be bare as the game will be played behind closed doors.
If I need to pick a side it would be Dortmund because if the small gesture from a visiting Borussia reporter.
Who handed out small crested Borussia pins to the Press Box for a European match at Celtic Park.
If it was a subtle way of getting the Glaswegians on their side and subconsciously reducing Celtic’s chances it failed… the Scots won.
Schalke though have their passionate fans too, none more vociferous than Greta who almost converted me.
On a boat cruise down the River Elbe in Dresden Dresden’s renaissance and https://www.dresden.de/en/tourism/tourism.php. Dresden too have their storied club Dynamo.
For more on the Bundesliga https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga and Germany https://www.tourism.de.
Gone fishing
You’ll need a bigger boat
I hope you’re staying alert on the court and the golf course now that Boris Johnson is allowing the English to get out there playing.
If you’re in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you’ll have to keep your clubs and racquets in the shed for now.
But we can all get our fishing rods out.
On our first summer holiday, to the Algarve, myself and The Scary One went out with a local boatman for a spot of fishing.
No sooner had we dangled our lines in, and I’d caught a tiddler, than we had to head back.
She only needed a toilet break! It was either that or searching out the nearest island… Madeira!
Portugal, as I’ve been keeping you informed, is ahead of the curve and ready to welcome us all back… if we’re healthy.
They’re encouraging watersports, with safe distancing so that’s surfing and angling then.
Which you’ll find in Portugal Centro Secret Portugal and https://www.centerofportugal.com.
While when everything is normal again in Quinta do Lago then you’ll be able to hone your golf skills.
At the Paul McGinley Golf Academy https://www.quintadolago.com/en/golf/academy/ and https://www.google.ie/amp/s/jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2020/03/28/sportugal-2/amp/.
MEET YOU ON THE SEAS
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