Blog Archives
Porto
One of the three Portuguese clubs that win everything, Porto hold the record with five consecutive league titles and the biggest winning margin in a season. LOCATION: Porto, Portugal CONTACT: fcporto.pt, +351 225 570 400 NICKNAMES: Dragões (Dragons) (Above image Cédric23170, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Sporting Lisbon
One of the big three clubs in Portugal, and the defending league champions, Sporting offer a fervent fanbase and a modern stadium in the beautiful city of Lisbon. LOCATION: Lisbon, Portugal. CONTACT: sporting.pt, (+351) 30 997 1906, #SportingCP NICKNAMES: Leões (Lions) (Above image by Tiago Terraquente, BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Chesterfield
Back in the Football League after an absence of six seasons, Chesterfield offers a pleasant day out from Sheffield or Manchester. LOCATION: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, which is 2.5 hours north of London and 1 hour east of Manchester CONTACT: chesterfield-fc.co.uk, 01246 269300, #Spireites NICKNAMES: The Spireites, for a famous local church spire.
Hamburg
A former European champion now languishing in the German second division, Hamburg are in fact a massive club playing in a great stadium. LOCATION: Hamburg, Germany CONTACT: hsv.de, +4940 4155 - 1887, #nurderHSV NICKNAMES: Die Rothosen (The Red Shorts) (Above image by Patrick Kiss, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Lille
A club that shocked everyone with a 2021 Ligue 1 championship, Lille plays in a modern stadium in the industrial heartland of France. LOCATION: Lille, France. CONTACT: losc.fr NICKNAMES: Les Dogues (The Mastiffs) (Above image by Liondartois, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Marseille
Though without a trophy for more than 10 years, Marseille has a long history of success which has built a tremendous fan base in this vibrant port city. LOCATION: Marseille, France CONTACT: om.fr NICKNAMES: Les Phocéens (The Phocaeans) (Above image by Hombrey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Nice
A giant from the 1950s who supplied a moment of magic in the 1990s, Nice are now something of an afterthought in Ligue 1 -- but they're in the French Riviera! LOCATION: Nice, France CONTACT: ogcnice.com, 04.93.71.93.52 NICKNAMES: Les Aiglons (The Eaglets) (Above photo by Mirasol, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Parma
Parma Calcio recently soared from financial disaster back to Serie A, so they offer a top-tier soccer offering in a lovely Italian city. LOCATION: Parma, Emilia-Romagna, halfway between Bologna and Milan. CONTACT: parmacalcio1913.com NICKNAMES: Crociati (The Crusaders)
Ajax
One of the three giant clubs who win everything in the Netherlands, Ajax play in a beautiful, modern stadium in the much-visited city of Amsterdam. LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands CONTACT: ajax.nl, 088 - 18 3 1900 NICKNAMES: de Godenzonen (Sons of the Gods)
Bologna
A solid Serie A outfit recently seen in the Champions League, Bologna also play in a historic stadium in a beautiful and amazing city renowned for its cuisine -- even within Italy! LOCATION: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, about an hour from Florence. CONTACT: bolognafc.it, +39 0516111111 NICKNAMES: "I Rossoblu" (Red and Blues), "I Felsinei" (The Felsinians),…
