Football Supporters

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Football Supporters Federation Wales FSF Cymru
Issue 23
Croatia v Wales International Friendly
match Sunday 23rd May, 2010 Stadion Gradski Vrt,
Osijek Kick off 7pm local, 6pm UK
Information for Welsh fans compiled by Welsh Fans.
This information is produced to be issued free of
charge to Welsh football fans. Thanks to the Home
office and the FAW for help with distribution.
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Chairman/Treasurer... Vince Alm ...447814 779441
FSF Executive council member Secretary Paul
Corkrey... 07903 619654 International
officer/Home office Liaison F.A.W. Liaison
officer Melanie Richards 07823 337791 Away match
reconnaissance officer Neil Dymock 44 7852
305447 FSF Cymru helpline number 44 7905 861848
FSF CYMRU - by Wales fans, for Wales fans - an
independent organisation, committed to helping
Wales supporters. MISSION STATEMENT To help and
support Wales fans who travel away. Our role is
to provide accurate and objective information,
including a Risk Assessment we convey what other
agencies, such as police forces, government
departments, and football authorities are
recommending we publish a comprehensive guide
which is distributed free of charge to all
travelling supporters we operate and publicise a
24 hour Hotline for fans in difficulties we
arrange a Football embassy operation, at venues
abroad, where we can offer advice, guidance and
support as necessary. To work with the Football
Association of Wales in all aspects affecting the
fans, to ensure that the supporters voice is
heard. A continuous, running dialogue is held
with Mr Mark Evans, Head, International Affairs,
we take supporters complaints, views to the FAW
for discussion To take every possible action to
eradicate any inter club rivalry when fans are
following the Welsh national team
Neil Dymock will co ordinate the fans embassy in
Croatia. Neil has not missed a Welsh
international match for many years and he also
runs the Welsh fans football team. Neil will be
based at Maksimilian,Franjevacka 12 Tvrda ,around
the corner from the St Patrick Irish bar and can
be contacted on the FSF help line on 44 7905
861848. Please contact Neil if any emergencies
occur during your trip, he will have contact with
the police and British embassy officials and will
be able to assist you.
Welcome to Issue 23 of the FSF Cymru information
booklet. The draw for the 2012 European
championships is interesting and we believe that
Wales has a real chance of qualifying. We have
some challenging trips to face in Switzerland,
Montenegro, Bulgaria and of course London. FSF
Cymru will provide Fans embassy assistance at all
the venues. For this friendly game in Croatia we
have provided a smaller than usual booklet but
hope that it is of use to the fans. Could this be
the tournament that Wales finally qualify? lets
hope so and all get behind the national team
during the next two years. Regardless of your
club allegiances Wear Red for Wales and unite
behind the team.
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British Embassy Information about Osijek, Croatia
WHAT THE EMBASSY CAN DO Issue Emergency
passports (one way) and Emergency Travel
Documents (could be two-way) Provide information
about transferring funds from the UK Provide a
list of local lawyers Do all we can to contact
you within 24 hours of being told that you have
been hospitalised or detained In an emergency
and with your permission., contact your family
and friends.   WHAT THE EMBASSY CANNOT DO Get
you out of prison or interfere in criminal or
civil court proceedings Give you legal
advice Investigate a crime Get you better
treatment in hospital or prison than is given to
local people Pay any bills or give you
money Make travel arrangements for you or find
accommodation   PASSPORT FEE Emergency Passport
71HRK605,00 (payable in Croatian Kunas
only) Emergency Travel Document
91.50HRK780,00   Documents required for a
replacement lost/stolen passport Passport
application form C1, form for lost/ stolen
passport Two passport size photographs Local
police report of lost/stolen passport Any other
identity e.g. driving licence Travel itinerary
  British Embassy Zagreb British Consulate
Split Consular Section
Obala narodnog
preporoda Luciceva 4, 10000 Zagreb
10/III,
21000 Split Tel [phone] Tel 385 21
346 007   Working hours Working hours 0830 -
1700 Mon-Thu 0730-1530 Mon-Thu 0830 - 1400
Fri 0730-1330 Fri   British Consulate
Dubrovnik Vukovarska 22, 1st floor 20000
Dubrovnik Tel [phone] Working hours
Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 1000-1300   Out of office
hours please call 00385 1 6009 268 Please
Contact Neil Dymock FSF Cymru, who will have
access to the Welsh police liaison officers and
he will assist you with any issues relating to
the Embassy.. FSF CYMRU HELP LINE 44 7905
861848
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British Embassy Information about Osijek, Croatia
BRITISH EMBASSY ZAGREB http//ukincroatia.fco.gov.
uk   INFORMATION FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE WELSH
FOOTBALL TEAM OSIJEK, CROATIA, MAY 2010   DOS
AND DONTS IN CROATIA   1.TRAVEL INSURANCE Do
make sure you are fully covered for unexpected
losses or expenses, particularly if you are
travelling on discount tickets. Do specify
Croatia in your insurance cover.   2. MEDICAL
INSURANCE Do make sure you are fully covered for
medical treatment and medical evacuation. Croatia
has a reciprocal emergency health arrangement
with the UK. European health insurance (EHIC) is
not valid in Croatia.   3. PASSPORTS Do keep a
separate record of your passport details,
preferably a photocopy of the details pages with
next of kin contact details. Do report a
lost/stolen passport immediately to the local
police. Police reports are needed to obtain a new
passport. The British Embassy in Zagreb and The
British Consulates in Dubrovnik and Split only
issue Emergency passports. See Passport Fee. A
good idea is to scan your passport on your PC and
e mail it to yourself, if you subsequently lose
your passport you can check your e mails and all
the details will be there.   4. FUNDS Croatian
Kunas are the official currency for everyday
transactions in Croatia. You should only change
money through official exchange offices
(Mjenjacnica) or banks. Do declare all foreign
currency of and above the worth of 10.000 Euros
on entry into the country. Customs officers hold
declaration forms. You can use the Western Union
money transfer arrangement in case of loss of
funds. Be prepared to pay for some types of
consular assistance, e.g. issuing an Emergency
passport.   5. BELONGINGS/VALUABLES Do leave
passports/valuables in a safe place. Beware of
bag and mobile phone snatchers especially in the
camp sites, on the beach, public transport,
restaurants, cafés and at the stadium. Dont
leave them in your car if you are driving. Do
ensure you know whom to contact to obtain
emergency credit cards and replacement cheques if
they are stolen. Do report the loss of valuables
to the local police and obtain a written police
report.   6. DRUGS Dont get involved in any way
with drugs. Penalties can be severe, heavy fines
or imprisonment. Dont carry anything through
customs for anyone else.   7. VISAS Visas are
not required for visits to Croatia for tourist
stays up to 90 days. Do enter the country at an
official border crossing. Carry identification at
all times. Do register with the police within 48
hours of arriving, if you are not staying in
registered accommodation, such as hotels, hostels
etc.
Special thanks to Miss Suncica Aganbegovic from
the British Embassy for providing the information
and assisting us before and during the trip
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Information from Reconnaissance trips
The following information is the updated news
following the FSF Cymru reconnaissance trip on
May 5th. 2010. It compliments earlier information
from the FAW and police already inside this
booklet. Thanks to Lucy, Mark Evans and Wayne
Palmer The exchange rate is currently working
out at around 8.25 Kuna to the pound. The average
cost of a bottle of beer was 15 Kuna and a meal
at McDonalds worked out at 32 Kuna, about
4...the prices are a little cheaper than the UK
but not by much and it will be slightly cheaper
to eat and drink in local back street bars rather
than themed bars or main street cafe/bars
etc.   On arrival in Zagreb Airport to get to
the city centre a Taxi charges a minimum of 150K,
(about 18) Bus 30K (about 3.50) Bus takes 20
minutes, leaves every 30 minutes on the hour and
half hour until 8pm. Starts 7am, less frequent
after 8pm Takes you to bus station you then have
to take a tram 0.80K ticket bought at kiosk but
driver can sell you a ticket. Tram is Number 6,
goes left to Crnomerec to go back to station you
need tram 6 going to Sopot. Bus Zagreb to
Osijek 135 kuna one way   7.30 - 11.45 10.00 -
14.00 16.00 - 19.50 17.00 - 21.00   Bus Osijek to
Zagreb   08.00 - 12.20 10.00 - 14.00 16.00 -
22.30 21.00 - 01.00   Train Zagreb to Osijek 130
Kuna one way   6.56 - 11.19 7.20 - 12.47 10.00 -
14.29 13.00 - 18.30 17.01 - 21.11 18.20 -
21.42   Train Osijek to Zagreb   0.05 - 5.05 3.16
- 9.02 5.22 - 8.36 5.25 - 9.36 12.02 - 16.22
16.20 - 20.56 19.32 - 0.53   There is a  Good
taxi deal until end of May. Any journey less than
5km is 13 Kuna Taxi Cammeo 031 205 205 (This
offer applies to Osijek only) We are currently
not happy with the state of the away end for the
Welsh fans...It is in a mess at the moment and
many of the seats are broken...Toilets are
inadequate, there are no turnstiles and generally
it is very poor. We have been in contact with the
FAW to try to improve the situation and they have
contacted the Croatian FA... hopefully Welsh fans
will have a satisfactory area of the
stadium. Internet cafes charge approx 1.60 an
hour or 15 Kuna
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Transport
Public transport Osijek Osijek offers you two
possibilities to get around town buses and
trams. They both operate from 0500  till 2300
or midnight, except the tram line that connects
Višnjevac and Zeleno Polje on Saturdays nights,
on which you can catch a night ride every half
hour. You can use the same ticket for both of
them and transfer with the same one from bus to
tram and vice versa. A ticket is good for 40
minutes after it is validated.
Public transport
ticketing news There is a new and improved
ticketing system that will have you travelling
via public transport carefree. Its called
Butra and you can purchase it with the driver,
as soon as you do so you are to scan it by using
the ticket machine on a bus or tram. Now youre
free to ride and once youre about to depart the
bus or tram, scan your ticket one more time. A
public transport inspector will check if you
really have scanned your ticket or not. The
display tells you exactly how much money was
taken from your ticket and once you get on a bus
or tram, you have to repeat the same procedure.
If by chance you dont spend the entire 40 kuna
whilst staying in Osijek, the remaining amount on
your Butra ticket will be refunded. Those who own
a Diners credit card with a chip can use the card
directly instead of using Butra.
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Fans Embassy, Tvrda Square, Osijek
Lucy Jones ticket officer In Croatia she will be
based at the, at the Hotel Villa Lenije.
VINCOVCI. Which is a fair distance from Osijek
)over 20 miles) She said that the Croatian FA
have promised her a booth at the away end of the
stadium on match day for fans to collect
tickets...check with Neil Dymock if any doubts
We are basing the FSF Cymru fans embassy at the
St. Patrick's Pub. it was opened in 1999 in
Osijek. It was the first real Irish pub in the
city. It is located in Tvrda, the 18th-century
fortress. This is a great place for fans to meet
with traditional food and drinks served. There
are many local pubs , bars, cafes and restaurants
close by to sample the local culture and
cuisine. The stadium is just a ten to fifteen
minute walk from the square.
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Getting to and getting around Osijek
Rail services To Osijek terminate at the grand
1880s railway building at the bottom edge of the
central town. In addition to the numerous train
services operate each day to Zagreb (including
the new, high-speed tilt train which completes
the journey in around 3 hours), there are
services to Sarajev, Budapest, Koprivnica and
Rijeka as well as other local services within
Croatia to places like Slavonski Brod and Ðakovo.
The Croatian Railways has information on train
times and tickets. The railway station is being
renovated and modernised. There are daily
connections with places in the city area. There
are also daily connections to Bizovac spa. By
bus The bus station adjoins the train station and
offers international as well as domestic
services. Some of the many destinations on offer
include Vukovar Ðakovo, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Pecs
and Tuzla. Timetables, tickets and information
are easily accessible. Panturist is the major bus
operator out of Osijek and has listings of
domestic and international bus travel - click on
the vozni red icon. Central bus station is
renovating and it will become the biggest one in
south-eastern Europe. Bus companies Panturist,
Polet, APP, Croatiatrans and many other smaller
companies are daily connecting city with all
parts of the country. By Road It is a distance
of 131 miles or 210 Kilometres between Zagreb and
Osijek Main highways pass nearby to Osijek from
Zagreb through to Belgrade and the pan-European
corridor from Budapest through to Sarajevo will
see a new motorway added to the Croatian network,
construction to be completed by 2010. Highway A5
or Slavonika was opened 17.04.2009. It connects
Osijek with the A3 highway which runs from Zagreb
to the Serbian border. Driving to Osijek is easy
with good signposting from all directions, and
there is on-street as well as lot parking in the
town.
Zagreb airport Train There is no train connection
with the airport yet. It is not known when the
planned rail connection will be completed. Car
and bus The airport is 14 kilometres southwest of
Zagreb. The bus station is right in front of the
exit of the International Arrivals Hall. Every
half hour between 0700 and 2000 a bus goes to
the central bus station Zagreb. Outside of these
times, buses run in connection with arriving and
departing airplanes. The travel time to the
centre of Zagreb is approximately 25 minutes, a
ticket costs HRK 30.00. Taxi Taxis are in front
of the Arrivals Hall The starting rate is
officially HRK 19.00, and then you pay HRK 7.00
per kilometre and HRK 3.00 for baggage. You can
easily pay HRK 200.00 or more for a ride to the
centre of Zagreb. Clearly agree to a price before
you get in. Between 2200 and 0500 and on
Sundays and bank holidays there is a 20 extra
charge.
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General information for Welsh fans in Croatia
Important Phone Numbers Police 92 Fire
Department 93, Ambulance 94 Time 95 General
Information 981, Road Assistance 987 Public
Emergency Centre 985
Currency The Croatian monetary unit is Kuna. It
consists of 100 Lipa. There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20,
50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5,
10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna
banknotes. 1.00 British pounds sterling 8.24
Croatian kuna May 4th 2010
Some basic Croatian words and phrases YES DA
dahNO NE nehPLEASE MOLIM moleemTHANK YOU
HVALA VAM hvahlah vahm HELLO / HI ZDRAVO / BOG
zdrahvo / bogGOOD-BYE DOVID-ENJA
doveejehñah DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? GOVORITE LI
ENGLESKI? govoreeteh lee ehnglehskee
Eating and Drinking Main dishes consists of
grilled and pan - fried pork or veal chop
(kotlet) or fillet (odrezak.) Becki odrezak -
fried Wiener schnitzel in breadcrumbs, Pariski
odrezak - ( parisienne schnitzel ) fried in
batter and Zagrebacki schnitzell stuffed with
cheese and ham. Mjesano meso - mixed grill,
Janjetina - usually cuts from grilled whole sheep
roasted over the open fire. More expensive
restaurants offer specialities like rakovica -
(crab), ostrige (oysters) skampi (scampi) and
jastog (lobster).  Salads usually include zelena
salata - green salad and mjesana salata - mixed
salad, also krastavci - gherkins and paprika -
pickled peppers desserts sladoled - ice cream,
torta - cake, palacinke - pancakes and rozata -
cream caramel. DrinkingPivo - beer mostly light
lager variety, better brands are called
Karlovacko and Ozujsko pivo.Vino - wine. Croatia
produces many great wines of which the best known
are Vrbnik, Vugava, Kastelet, Grk and Posip all
medium dry whites. Dingac, Babic, Primosten and
Viski Plavac and Teran all red wines.Zestoka
pica - spirits served up and down the country
include lozovaca made from grapes, sljivovica -
plum brandy, viljamovka - pear brandy, travarica
- made from herbs, pelinkovac - juniper based
spirit, vinjak - locally produced cognac,
maraskino made from cherries. Prices slightly
cheaper than the UK
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Osijek
Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with
a population of 114,616 in 2001. It is the
largest city and the economic and cultural centre
of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia
.Osijek is located on the right bank of the river
Drava. The name was given to the city due to its
position on elevated ground which prevented the
city being flooded by the local swamp waters. Its
name Osijek comes from the Croatian word "oseka"
which means "ebb tide Osijek is divided into
two main regions - the upper town and Tvrda, the
preserved fortress town to the east of the town
centre along the Drava River. The whole city has
12 districts/blocks Upper Town, Lower Town,
Fortress, New Town, South 1, South 2, Green
Field, Retfala, New Retfala, Industrial District,
Tvrdjavica and The Left Coast. Tvrda is the
self-contained 18th-century Hapsburg defensive
fortress just east of the city centre. This
immaculately-preserved baroque military compound,
designed by Maximillian de Gosseau in 1721,
contains many fine buildings to view by day, and
at night becomes the hotspot with bars and clubs.
Luckily there was no damage during the recent
conflict to the site, ensuring great viewing and
photos. Tvrda is based around the main square,
Trg Svetog Trojstva, and the Museum of Slavonia
is located here with artefacts throughout history
as early as Roman times. We recommend Welsh fans
meet in this square. It is much closer to the
stadium compared to the main city square.
Osijek has a tram system dating back to 1884,
and the three main lines connect the railway
station, town square, Tvrda, industrial district,
and all city borders network is currently being
completely overhauled and more than doubled in
length. You can also experience the ride with the
oldest tram in Europe, which has been renovated
for sightseeing tours. Buses run every 10-15
minutes in the city area. In OsijekTaxis are
available but the city is very well designed to
travel by foot with few hills and you see much
more under your own steam. During May all Taxi
rides are only 13 Kuna for a 5km
journey...fromTvrda square to the stadium FSF
recommend the taxi, the walk is along a busy road
and takes 15 minutes, we are trying to sort some
transport for Welsh fans from St Patricks bar on
match day, contact Neil Dymock for details.
Joining the Football supporters Federation is
easy and it is free, just go to the website and
you can join online. www.fsf.org.uk It is
important that supporters get their voices
heard, the bigger the membership the more
representative the organisation becomes.
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Welsh end of Gradski Vrt Stadium, Osijek
The facilities at the Welsh end of the stadium
are basic, we are concerned that they are very
poor, but you are advised to arrive relatively
early. In the area surrounding the stadium there
is a McDonalds and a very good diner. The
Croatian people are friendly and welcoming and no
problems are expected at the game. They are a
very proud people and they were at war with
Serbia not so long ago and there is obviously
still a lot of bad feeling concerning anything
Serbian...Please be aware of this. The stadium is
home to two clubs NK Osijek and Fortuna VNO
Osijek and has a seating capacity of 19 800. It
was built during the 1980s and a bigger stadium
was planned if the Croatia/Hungary joint bid to
hold the 2012 European championships had won.
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Wear Red for Wales
Neil Dymock , Myself, Perry Morgan and Andy Unwin
Visiting a charity in Denmark in 2008, Gol
provides gifts and donations to help children
through out the world, wherever Wales play away
games Gol representatives travel to orphanages
and places of need . FSF Cymru endorses the work
that Gol does and we hope all Welsh fans support
Gol initiatives whenever possible
FSF CYMRU HELP LINE 44 7905861848