August 30th - Haná Prostějov 2 Olšany 1 (Haná won 4-3 on penalties)

August 30th, 2014

Okresní Přebor Prostějov - 8th div

Haná Prostějov 1 Olšany 1 (Haná won 4-3 on penalties)

Attendance - 35

For various reasons Haná dropped down to the 8th division this year from the 6th division.  On the plus side, they are finally back playing on grass after spending 2 years on a poor quality artificial pitch. 

A few leagues around the Czech Republic have adopted the new rule of penalties if a game ends in a draw. The winner gets 2pts and the loser 1pt.  A stupid rule in my opinion.  Oh well.

August 17, 2014 - Divize E - Určice 2 Hranice 1

August 17, 2014 - Divize E (4th div)
Určice 2 Hranice 1
Attendance - 190

Určice is a small village of 1320 people located 6km south of Prostějov.  A few years ago they were promoted to the 4th tier of Czech football, and so far they have not looked out of place.

There are a few buses on the weekend to Určice from Prostějov, but they may or may not be convenient depending on what time the game starts.

Aug 10, 2014 - Turnovo 0 Pelister 1

August 12, 2014 - Macedonian 1st division
Turnovo 0 Pelister 1
Attendance - 350
Admission - 100 denars

I was back in Strumica for 6 weeks recently but I had only one chance to watch football.  My only chance was in Turnovo which is about 10km outside of Strumica.  It is a village of about 1,000 people but they have recently played in Europa League qualifiers, which is an amazing achievement for such a club.

This was the home opener and a decent crowd turned up.  The only stand was full, and about 40 supporters from Pelister Bitola were on hand.  Without them there wouldn't have been any atmosphere, because Turnovo has no vocal support.

My friends and family were surprised that the ticket was 100 denars, and they were even more surprised that people actually paid the entrance fee.

Sorry about the quality of pictures.  My camera seems to have a problem, and little black spots are turning up on the pictures.

Philip II Arena (Skopje, Macedonia)

I was unable to get to a game in Skopje, despite staying 6 weeks in the country.  So, a walk around the stadium would have to be enough.  The stadium was originally built in 1947. Construction of the south stand began in 1978.  Since 2008, the stadium has been under construction off and on.  The illuminated outer facade was supposed to have been finished last year, but I don't think it is finished yet.

2014 Women's U18 World Handball Championships - July 22 - Germany 24 Denmark 28

2014 Women's U18 World Handball Championships
July 22 - Strumica, Macedonia
Germany 24 Denmark 28
Attendance - 200

Handball is not my sport of choice, but without any football to watch...

Strumica, Skopje, and Ohrid recently held the Women's U18 World Handball Championships.  The main sports hall in Strumica is quite run down and I was surprised to hear that it would be hosting a World Champsionships. The city or government really should have put in a little more money to fix up the seating, but I assume the money wasn't available.

The one match I watched was between two quality teams.  Germany went on to finish 2nd in the tournament while Denmark went on to finish 3rd.  Around 200 people were at the game, with about 20 from Denmark and 30 from Germany.