but I get up again

The UEFA Champions League touched down in Bratislava for the first time last night and supporters at the Tehelné Pole stadium rose to the occasion. Strong supportFC Artmedia Bratislava were tenants for the evening, decamping from their own tiny [url=http://www.philatelie.qc.ca/pic/news/]cheap nfl jerseys from china[/url] ground across the Danube in Petrzalka to take their first step into the big time against FC Internazionale Milano. They brought their supporters with them, and considerably more besides as Bratislavans of all footballing persuasions joined forces for the night. The city's traditional powerhouses, ŠK Slovan Bratislava and AŠK Inter Bratislava, have hit hard times, and it is Artmedia who are now top dogs in the Slovakian capital. Huge taskThey have even changed their name, as if to reinforce their unprecedented status as Slovak champions. The club may call themselves Bratislava these days, but there was no mistaking where loyalties lie as chants of "Petrzalka, Petrzalka, Petrzalka" rang out before kick-off. Petrzalka is a vast maze of Soviet-style apartment blocks, a world away from Bratislava's picturesque old town just the other side of the river. The contrast is stark but then so is the gulf between the Slovakian Superleague and the Champions League. Big turnoutThe fans did their bit to bridge the divide. As the players emerged before kick-off, a group behind one goal held aloft nine mock Champions League trophies each bearing a separate letter to spell out Petrzalka. Behind the other goal, alternate blocks of supporters held up black and white paper, turning their end into the zebra stripes of the home team. Electric atmosphereA booming sound system and frantic MC cranked up the decibels, but was almost drowned out by the roar of the crowd when the Champions League anthem was played in Bratislava for the first time. Flash bulbs lit up the arena as the giant Champions League banner was draped over the centre circle. Defiant moodAnother roar greeted the first [url=http://cannonfinancial.com/about/]wholesale jerseys from china[/url] whistle and again when goalkeeper Juraj Čobej came out confidently to punch away Luís Figo's early cross. Whistles [url=http://portmanart.com/mailer/sale.htm]cheap football kits[/url] reached a crescendo as Adriano prepared to take a free-kick then gave way to cheers as the Brazilian shot into the wall. After 15 minutes Artmedia's supporters had relaxed enough to start a Mexican wave. Reality set in when Adriano teed up Julio Cruz to put Inter in front. Silence, then another defiant chorus of "Petrzalka, Petrzalka, Petrzalka". Late flourishJuan Sebastián Verón's dismissal early in the second half galvanised the home support. Some had insisted a miracle happens just once a lifetime. Artmedia had used theirs, so went the argument, in the 5-0 defeat of Celtic FC in the second qualifying round. Now, however, there was a chance to get back in the game and they urged their team to take it. "My Chceme Gol," they chanted, "We want a goal." And it almost came. Lukáš Hartig flashed a header wide before Juraj Halenár's shot was well saved by Julio Cesar. New experienceInter's small band of followers were able to make themselves heard for the first time just before the final whistle. They were soon drowned out as the home fans rose to their feet to applaud a gutsy performance. Their efforts did not go unnoticed. "Playing league matches in one stadium and these matches here is a completely different atmosphere," Artmedia midfielder Aleš Urbánek told uefa.com. "The crowded stadium is good for us because it raises our game." Fans satisfied By then the supporters had filtered out of the stadium, leaving Chumbawamba to speak for them over the PA system: "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Artmedia's fans couldn't have said it better. Related [url=http://www.sirtoli.com/new/about_new.htm]jerseys wholesale[/url] ItemsPršo rejuvenated by Rangers winCruz ends Artmedia resistanceKonecný added to Artmedia ranksArtmedia packed full of surprisesHistory spurs on ArtmediaSlovakia stirred by Artmedia
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