Who are yer? MSV Duisburg

I'll be honest, I didn't know until i visited but meet the Zebras - known so because of their striped jerseys.

They are one of the original members of the Bundesliga back in 1963 but the fact they don't roll off the tongue as a European giant confirms their comparitve lack of success. The omens must have looked good when they finished runners-up in that very first Bundesliga season - but that's as good as it has ever got.

They slipped into the second division in 1983 and since then have become what we call yo yo teams, but in German they are an elevator side - up and down between the top and second flight.

Their record in that department would put West Brom or Palace to shame.  In 2007-8, they were relagated in bottom place - the fourth successive season they have gone up or down.

However, they have been cup runners up four times, the most recent in 2011, and did managed to make the UEFA Cup semis in 1979.

Where do you come from? The MSV Arena

The team may struggle to hold its own in the top flight but the ground is definitely up to the mark.

It holds 31,000, much the same as most new grounds in Britain, but seems to have a bit more about it than some of the soulless bowls loitering in the top two English divisions.

On checking out a game there I was trying to come up with a similar comparison in England and the best I could manage was Reading's Madjeski (although that could have something to do with it being filled with people in blue and white tops as well).

It's fairly tight on the pitch and steep enough to ensure you have a good view from all quarters.

Rising out of surrounding parkland - helpfully turned over to parking on matchday - its pretty striking and gleaming new.

The main stand, also housing the club shop and ticket office, has an impressive frontage and is the main entrance for the sizeable commercial business clientele.

Zebra central: The main stand at MSV Duisburg.

The ground is two tier all the way round with terracing right across the lower half of the home end - known as the Fankurve - with a further sector in the far right corner for visitors.

Two giant screens hang from either end, revealing teams, scores, the goals, - but sadly no action, and the ultimate in unsubtle advertising - a regular plug for the local beer Konig Pilsener, which gets the crowd heading for the kiosks at regular intervals during play.

Many games in Bundesliga B see the ground around half full. The vast majority of people gather in the home end, although the main stand is well populated - the other side and far end less so.

One criticism I would level is getting in. For a fair sized brand new ground you have to pile through a small amount of turnstiles and it's a bit of a free for all, so give yourself a few minutes to get in.

Once through the check and search you can wander round much of the ground.

Make sure you get in early to catch the Duisburg anthem belted out at high levels just before kick off.

Check out this video of my visit to the MSV Arena at the start of the 2008-9 season - a good atmosphere despite the ground only being half full.




We're on our way: Getting to the ground

Probably the best option for getting there is on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn. The U-Bahn 79 and S-Bahn 103 both trundle from the city centre, including the Hauptbahnhof, to Grunewald stop, a ten minute journey.

When you get off, head left underneath a wide bridge and shortly afterwards take a right along a tree-lined boulevard A further 400 yards along cut left across the park to the ground - you approach via the home end, and the ticket collection kiosk is there too.

Park life: The green approach to the arena.

After the game trams are busy, not rammed, and extra services are laid on.

Buses 934 and 944 to MSV Arena also make the same journey from the Hauptbahnhof, as the destination suggests.

Who ate all the pies? Eating and drinking

For a quick stand-up brutwurst and beer the stalls at the Hauptbahnhof are a popular stop with the Duisburg diehards.

Bag a seat: Buying a ticket

There's no trouble getting a ticket right now. You can book online if you can master the German club website - a Google translation got me through.

You can pick your own seat and see how busy certain parts of the ground area. Best seats in the main stand are around 30 euros, they are cheaper at the end upper tiers and standing is under a tenner. Tickets bought in England need to be picked up at the collection kiosk at the end of the ground you'll arrive at - just show your passport.

If you do get a ticket from the main stand, you enter the ground via the turnstiles in the corner of the ground. The main entrance is for sponsors and business clients only.

You can also call too - ring 01805 678007 seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.

If you're buying on the day, bear in mind you need to buy them from the ticket office sited within the main shop and it does get pretty busy, so give yourself a fair bit of time.



Buy a souvenir: Stores

The main store, sited alongside the main entrance, has more zebra related material than Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.


If the queue to get in looks messy bear in mind there are reduced versions of the shop to be found inside, there's one on the main stand concourse, and you can get programmes for one euro at those.

The main shop is open 10am to7pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm on Saturday and from 10am on Sunday matchdays.

Go online too to the club webstore