In the months afterwards I made a trip to the Celtic Superstore to buy the DVD of the match. I wasn’t ready to watch it but needed to have it nonetheless, for when the time came. I’ve still not opened the box.
I watched the game from high up in the Porto end. The Porto fans were great, allowed us to celebrate with all the enthusiasm you could muster for goals in a European final, then wished us well as we made our way through them and out of the stadium. Had Celtic won while dropping like flies whenever an opponent coughed, it might have been different.
Porto were favourites and would go on to prove how good a team they were by winning the Champions League 12 months later. Their players would demonstrate their prowess across the world for the next decade. They had fabulous talent, so much so, that they should have aspired to better than the gamesmanship used during their run to the Uefa Cup and Champions League wins.
On the field it was a tale of great goals and heroic defeat, off the field, it was one of the most spectacular events in sport.
80,000 Celtic fans made the pilgrimage to Seville and treated the world to a carnival. The city became the scene of one of the largest parties the game had ever known. For me the pre-match schedule involved a two hour trip north before a panicked dash across the city collecting match tickets. What a stress!
There was 10 in our party and collecting the tickets took priority. Once we had them we could afford time to eat, but what? Several restaurants were sold out, we eventually found a café with frozen chips and a meat-based slab of something or other. No choices. No beer, wine or cola either, it was diluting orange juice or water. An entire city was pretty much emptied of food and drink.
You could forget about motorised transport to get to the game, we had to walk from the city to the stadium on the very outskirts of town. It was hot and dry. An enterprising local was selling a retained stash of cola at the side of the road at a hugely inflated price, no one passed him without buying.
This was a journey to a football game, but not one any of us were familiar with.
The long walk home from the game was memorable for the incredible reaction we got from the locals. They applauded each of us as we walked past their homes in recognition of what took place in their city throughout the day. Things like this don’t happen but that day was different. Seville, like Lisbon, will always remember Celtic. Fifa and Uefa made their Fair Play Awards the following year to Celtic fans, a nomination normally reserved for clubs.
I met a German couple in the hotel elevator. “Are you disappointed?” they asked. “No. We were beaten by a good team”. I had celebrated two Celtic goals in a European final and watched as we pushed a tremendously talented team to the brink. Disappointment comes a lot worse than this, although time brought regret.
Seville 2003 was not Lisbion 67 but it was a wonderful occasion in our very proud history. Let’s do it again.
For those who prefer their nostalgia with a bit of silverware, 10 men won the league, 24 years ago today. Big Billy was back and the Celts were in control.
Speaking of Lisbon 67…… Willie’s book, pre-order your signed copy now!
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I had the best forgery in Seville by a mile. BlantyreKev and Monteblanco allowed me to get so pissed I never got anywhere near the ground. I never got any of the Tapas either.
RIP Father Mac
Aston Villa centre-back Richard Dunne, 33, is set to be released on a free transfer by manager Paul Lambert while veteran goalkeeper Shay Given and midfielder Stephen Ireland could also be shown the exit door.
Would Richard Dunne be worth a gamble? I certainly think we need some experience in that defence. He could really bring on Efe and some of the other younger players.
LB
When I went to Seville it was in my dreams as I didny go. I blame Chelsea and Northern Ireland fans otherwise known as cancer!
MWD
Great reading all these stories of Seville. Never made it as as bringing up a young family and could not really afford it.
All these stories make up for it though. Keep them coming Bhoys.
livibhoy
Depends what shape he is in. He was never the quickest.
On the day before the Seville final, 3% of the entire world’s air travellers were Celtic fans.The biggest flying support in sports history!
Sky Italy reporting that Monaco have signed James Rodriguez + Joao Moutinho from Porto for a combined £60m.
If true, big blows for both Spurs + MU’s transfer plans this summer.
“Approximately 80,000 Celtic supporters, the largest travelling support in history at that time”
The Independent 2003
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
I could write a book about it. I remember everything about my 5 days in Spain and the 24 hours of the game.
The pain started at Kilmarnock on the Sunday though.
I am still paying Seville off! It was worth it at the time but 10 years to pay off my dets of following Celtic home, away and abroad for about 10 years took it’s toll.
Haven’t had my season ticket for 2 years. Soon to be 3 years when next season gets underway. I will be back though and make games when I can.
LB
We arrived at Glasgow airport around 5am on the Monday morning – we were flying to Portugal and making our way to Seville from there. The airport was brilliant – a mixture of confused business types and Celtic fans -one with a ghetto blaster with the Willie Maley song playing and the beers – even at that time – were being enjoyed.
We watched the 1967 Final on the plane – there were so many Celtic supporters that they agreed to our request and I remember thinking that every time you see that match you are surprised at how much of a doing we gave Inter Milan. It should have been 7-1 not 2-1.
When we arrived in Seville there weren’t too many Celtic fans around, so we were there from the start and watched as more and more arrived over the next three days.
We headed to the stadium which was fairly deserted and the one person we did meet was none other than Billy McNeill – so we got some great pics with him. Then we went back into Seville (on the bus, way to far to walk although we had to there and back on the Thursday). The Cup was on display in the centre of Seville so again some great pics.
The numbers of supporters kept increasing -it was like a massive green and white tide coming in. I remember walking to the game – and most of the supporters were going in the opposite direction, these were the unlucky ones without a ticket. Another memory was a bus driver on the Thursday afternoon in the centre of Seville – the city was gridlocked due to the sheer volume of Celtic supporters. Anyway he simply parked the bus and told everyone to get off and off he went to enjoy the occasion! For those who reckon there were only 80,000 in Seville then I say that is a massive under-estimation.
The walk to the stadium was long – it wad even longer on the way back. anyone who wasn’t there just could grasp what it was like in that stadium – the heat and the dry air was horrible. They ran out of water too and there were lots of supporters struggling – dear knows how the players managed to play in those conditions – it clearly gave Porto a massive advantage.
I have posted some pics on the CQN Magazine Facebook page – so you can see where I was sitting. In the perfect spot to see Henrik’s goals and before that big Rab’s first mistake.
To me the game turned when Jackie Mac was fouled and that rubbish ref failed to give the free kick at the edge of their box, instead they broke and Bobo brought down their player and was sent off. Even then you could see that Porto had settled for penalties then our goalkeeper presented them with the trophy.
The walk back was long – it was well after 2am when we got to the hotel and no-one really wanted to go to bed. We sat around, stunned but proud. Then when we went to our room around 5am I turned on the tv and they were showing live pictures of Porto arriving back with the cup – OUR cup.
Next day, back at the airport in one of the shops there was a dummy displaying a Porto strip and a security guy standing next to it. A Celtic fan brushed past it and as it fell the security guard caught it, whist drawing the Celtic supporter a dirty look. The Celtic fan quick as a flash said – “I never touched him – it was a dive!” The guard laughed – he was a Sporting Lisbon fan and wanted Celtic to win. Like many on here have never been able to watch that game – don’t think i ever will.
four of us drove to heathrow to get our flight to zurich then another to malaga,hire car to our hotel in cadiz only to find that the hotel was in the town of cadiz 50m back at Gibralter,sod it we said just get blootered and sleep in the car,next day seville,wonderful wonderful seville.
after the game we where heading back to find our hotel,sod it we said just get blootered and sleep in the car.
the next day we got to the hotel,checked in and went straight over to Gibralter and got blootered.
never been the same since
HH
LiviBhoy
Your better off with Clive Dunn
Don’t Panic! Don’t Panic
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
Fair point. His experience would be an asset though. We are lacking some experienced heads in the side and squad.
LB
LiviBhoy
Richard Dunne ?
For what its worth .-
A big loud resounding NO from me ..
The Spirit of Arthur Lee
That’ll be a no from you then?
Hahaha
LB
R.Dunne was on 70k a week at Villa.
Too old, too dear and not good enough.
South Of Tunis
Thought I would throw it out there. Do you not think we would benefit from some experience in defence though?
LB
Didn’t make it to Seville. My good lady wife was pregnant after our final attempt at IVF and had just lost the baby. She was in hospital for the D and C operation the day of the final. She went into surgery early around noon and I had heard absolutely nothing till after 6pm. Apparently there were complications. The doctors told me her first words on waking were “How soon can I go home? My husband wants to see the game?” The doctors were not having it but my wife told them as she was a midwife as was her mother she would be ok. We were allowed home and after a mad rush home to Hamilton got to see the final. Was just relieved my wife was ok and sad at the previous few weeks events that much of the game was a haze. Don’t remember much of it apart from Henrik’s goals and Porto diving.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
It was just a thought. Didn’t realise he was on that cash. He wouldn’t need the money though would he?
Maybe he will head for LA with Robbie Keane.
LB
Paul67
Your recollections of the city being seriously depleted of food and drink made me smile.
After the game, I managed to find a small café which “only” had a line up of around 20 or 30 people outside.
I ordered a pizza and some time later a box was thrust into my hand.
Upon inspection outside, I noticed that the toppings were corn and carrots – I didn’t care as I was Hank Marvin’. I took a bite out of the first slice – It was rancid. I tried another bite…just the same.
A Tim in the queue asked me “you finished wi that big man?”.
I replied that it wasn’t particularly good, but he was welcome to it.
As I turned to walk away, I heard him say “Hey blue cheese – That’s unusual.
I just couldn’t bring myself to ask for it back:)
Teuchter ár lá
Interesting article on the Champions League: the era of the superclubs has begun. (Where does that leave us?)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/may/21/champions-league-super-clubs
Livibhoy- he probably doesn’t need the money, but paying him that kind of money puts the idea in his head that that is what he’s worth.
South of Tunis
The Italian managerial/player merry-go-round rumour mill going into overdrive!
Allegri to Roma?
Seedorf the next Milan coach?
Mazzari to Inter?
Benitez/Martinez(?!) to Napoli?
Higuain and/or Tevez to Juventus?
…….
HH!!
LiviBhoy ——
I want 2 centre backs with pace , dig and the ability to pass the ball.. Richard Dunne is done .
I’d really like a playmaker
South Of Tunis
I agree with that. I would like to see CB’s with pace and goal scoring ability. Ambrose should be working on his heading this summer. He could be on double figures for goals.
A playmaker would be the jewel in the crown for the team but we have to be realistic about what we can afford and who is available. I thought Dunne may be a shout for experience and his ability to organise the defence. Maybe in hindsight it’s not a great shout.
Get a good spine to the team and the rest will slot in around them.
LB
10 years ago today, myself, 3 mates, my then girlfriend’s Dad and his mate made the pilgrimage to Seville.
Only two of us had tickets but that wasn’t really the point, was it? We were going to the biggest Celtic party ever. That was good enough for me to make the trip.
I’d be here all afternoon taking you through the experience so I’ll keep to the highlights –
* Sharing a few beers with hundreds of fellow Tims, bedecked in green & white, at Glasgow Airport at 6am in the morning.
* The pilot, both at the start and end of the flight, shouting Hail! Hail! over the aeroplane intercom and wishing us all the best.
* Arriving at the Cathedral, singing, dancing and drinking all day until kick-off. The atmosphere was sensational.
* Being filmed by a local TV crew playing keepie-uppy with my mates in the Square.
* Meeting & having a photo taken with the guy from UEFA (cannae mind his name) who said we’d only bring 4,000. I’ll never forget the look on his face.
* Finding a BUTCHERS selling ice-cold, 1 litre bottles of beer for £1.50.
* Looking along the ‘Green Mile’. A finer sight I’ve yet to see.
* Hearing my Da call out my name. Didn’t know he was going. He booked last minute and took my sister for good measure. Probably still paying it off today!
* Continually interrupting Raman’s news piece for back home cos he was a Sevconian. Priceless. He was beeling.
* Celebrating Henke’s two goals with 10,000 others at the big screens. His first was particularly special.
* Whilst celebrating his 2nd, someone knocked off my glasses (which I need for everything). Never saw them again. Mate had to talk me thru the rest of the game.
* The feeling of pride, not dejection, at the final whistle.
* The joy at finding my fellow travellers (who I had been separarted from) at the bus park after the game. Barely being able to see 10ft in front of me, it’s a miracle I found them!!
And that bhoys & ghirls, was my Seville experience!
Goalkeepers
1 Forster 24 Zaluska 26 Noring 35 Fasan .
Defenders
2 Matthews 3 Izaguirre 4 Ambrose 5 Gershon 6 Wilson 21 Mulgrew 23 Lustig 25 Rogne 43 Chalmers 44 Fraser .
Midfielders
8 Brown 15 Commons 16 Ledley 18 Rogic 20 McCourt 31 Herron 33 Kayal 42 McGregor 46 McGeouch 49 Forrest 56 Twardzik 67 Wanyama .
Forwards
7 Miku 9 Samaras 10 Stokes 11 Nouioui 28 Keatings 32 Watt 37 Atajic 50 George 88 Hooper
This is the squad, as listed by the BBC. It looks thin to me, in terms of quality, anyway.
Over the summer we could lose Hooper, Wanyama and Forster.
I hope John Park is well rested, and rarin’ to go.
Tallybhoy
Si ! .
Changes by the hour .
Sicilian radio has – Mazzari to Inter or Milan or Roma ..
Benitez to PSG..
Juve stating that Tevez is more likely than Higuain.
Lichtsteiner going to Real Madrid
Yesterday , one pundit had the Fiorentina manager going to Barcelona .
Catania look set to lose the excellent Gomez .
I didn’t make it over. Or to a single game on the lead up. I was a poor broke bum in those days. But I had watched every single game in O’Neill’s on Sauchihall Street, in the back room, with my mate Hogan.
On the day of the game we got to the pub in plenty of time only to be told by the bouncer tat the pub was full and they weren’t for letting us in. No matter how much we begged and pleaded fearing a jinx on the game the bouncer didn’t shift (bet he was a hun).
Across the road The Garage nightclub had a queue from the front door, along the street, round the corner and all the way up the hill to the Art School.
We feared that we’d have to grab a carry out and watch it in the house.
As a last ditch attempt we grabbed a taxi west to the QMU.
Arriving there only to be told they weren’t showing it.
This time I was not to be denied though. ogan and I along with a few other few lads managed to convince the staff that there was a goldmine ready to be tapped as there would be hundreds of punters in the same situation as us and that they would fill the place no problem.
The staff saw sense and the game was put on the big screens on Qudos. We even helped put out hundreds of seats so that the masses who were now arriving in droves as word was spread that the game was being shown could watch in comfort.
I remember the game all too vividly and the pain of losing. but the atmosphere in the QM was spectacular that night. But the pride I have in knowing that I helped many a Celt find a crowded room to watch the game is also still with me.
I wept after the final whistle.
I still blame myself for the defeat, no matter how rediculously supersticious tat may be.
If only I’d got to O’Neills sooner.
Thenightyquinn.
Glad ti see at least you don’t blame the keeper…douglas was one of eleven…
Seville memories,
On the outward flight which was scheduled for Seville airport,being informed by the travel rep “we’re not landing in Seville,it’s Faro airport instead” ok says i,is that nearby?…this was quickly followed by the guy behind us roaring “f****n Portugal!
Singing the Celtic song in a bar with Shug Keevins on a link up back to Radio Clyde at lunchtime.
Seeing a guy i went to school with standing at a bus stop…went over stood beside him and casually asked “is the 44 due soon?”…cue his face when he turned and saw me!
The heat in the stadium…or should i say the lack of fresh air…head was burstin everytime i tried to sing!
Would do it all again tomorrow!
Thanks Martin,twas a lovely journey!
everytime i try to type about seville , i get another wee memory, and want to add it.
needless to say, it was the best day out of my life.
other than the result. also not winning the league that weekend, i felt seriously dejected for months after , with what ifs and might have beens.
it did take me a long time to get over getting beat.
Yes I would agree that we need two commanding ball-playing CBs with a bit of pace!
Not too much to ask for – is it?!
Two players who are a combination of Billy McNeill, George Connelly, John Clark, Franz Beckenbauer, Ruud Krol, Franco Baresi and John Kennedy!
Easy!
HH!!
We should reminisce on Seville more often……keeps the bhun lurkers at bay ….. Not one of them has mentioned Manchester to me…….wonder why ??
The 21st of May 2003 for me and the CitiBhoys really started on Friday the 25th of April –
Flights Gatwick –Malaga were sorted out for 19th May: A Hotel booked in Puerto Banus to meet up with some Dublin friends and engage in a bit of pre match acclimatisation ; Car hire for the final push to Seville was easy; a Hotel in Seville for the nights around the the game was slightly more difficult but “happened”…
Ah right, all we need are the tickets….. so various web-sites “contacts” and other sources official and unofficial were tried all to no avail.
2 weeks pass and we are getting nowhere, quite a few tickets on e bay seemed to be coming from the Malaga area and I’m getting desperate so I posted an online request on the Malaga FC bulletin board – and amazingly got a call that same evening .
did they have tickets… ? eh si !
How many? …. How many do you want…
Well there were 8 of us so I wasn’t hopeful.
I need 8 ….. perfecto he says I have 8.
Ok how do we do this… I wanted to see the “goods” he wanted cash (a lot of cash)
Our negotiation was getting bogged down in my poor Spanish and his equally poor English.
At this point I told him that I would get a Spanish speaker to call him back shortly .
So Citighirl a native of Spain got on the phone… called the guy and was on the phone for what seemed like hours. …. “ Dinero , Madrid, Manana” were the gist of it.
So next day I find myself flying to Madrid on the first flight out of Heathrow. A visit to Citibank to pick up the “Dinero” and then off to the “meet” at the Ritz hotel .
Carlos was already waiting . A colleague of mine from our Madrid office (big chap) agreed to play minder. Ray-bans and all. So there we are sitting on the terrace having a san Miguel checking the “merchandise” . It all looked kosher – tickets issued to Malaga FC , Carlo’s claimed to be a family member of an FC Malaga official. Was happy to provide us with a photocopy of his passport. It was still a risk, a big risk, and one that might not become a reality until we got to the turnstiles… But there was no room for doubt – the “Dinero” was handed over… and do you know Carlos never even counted it, just stuck the envelope of 500 Euro notes into his inside pocket; shook hands and off he went.
I thanked my colleague and headed straight back to Barajas for the 5pm flight to London.
The Citibhoys met the next evening to examine the “merchandise” and it was the consensus that they were genuine! Seville Bring it On !
God how slow were the next two weeks …….
Tbc.
DBBIA
Time to unleash ole Mo?
There was some discussion about a Facebook page for CQNers.
No need to go over the debate again.
There is already one that is not greatly used. If you wish to join search for CQN/Facebook and ask to join.
I was at the game and haven’t watched it since, but I remember seeing the winning goal on telly and was it not a nick off Laursen that put the ball beyond Rab’s reach?
I’ve no desire to see it again, but always though the big man wasn’t at fault for that goal.