EURO 2021 | Fans of Schicka et al. he will not fly to Baku on his own plane
Baku, Azerbaijan is a bit of a scarecrow on the map of the host cities of the ongoing Euro. “I can imagine a better place. The fans deserve the opportunity to really support us not only in Budapest, “commented Jiří Chytrý, assistant head coach of the Czech national team Jaroslav Šilhavý, on the consequences of the unfortunate draw.
As soon as the Czech football fans got a sensational victory in the sold-out Puskás Arena in Budapest, the harsh reality of this year’s championship occurred. The way for the quarterfinal match is simply forbidden for the vast majority of Denmark’s Czech heartthrobs for various reasons. As if it weren’t enough, UEFA planned a non-traditional program for football fans, reminiscent of a hectic trip around European capitals rather than a football tournament. But those who are not afraid may go to Baku.
Some Pakistanis are also closer to Baku than the Czechs from Prague. Distance alone is a solid obstacle in time. It is currently only possible to travel three thousand kilometers from Prague to the capital of Azerbaijan with a stopover in Turkey.
✅ Prague – Glasgow – Prague – 2800 km
✅ Prague – Glasgow – Prague – 2800 km
✅ Prague – London – Prague – 2000 km
✅ Prague – Budapest – Prague – 900 km
🔜 Prague – Baku – Prague – 7200 km
🙏 Prague – London – Prague – 2000 km
🙏 Prague – London – Prague – 2000 km
🌍 Total 19700 km– Livesport.cz (@LivesportCZ) June 29, 2021
The return ticket costs twenty thousand crowns, while you are guaranteed to spend over 16 hours together on the plane and in the airport halls. In addition to the amount spent on travel, other necessary costs with local accommodation, match tickets or food are relatively tolerable.
An interesting alternative was brought by the initiative of one of the fans, who came up with the idea of ordering a private flight for fans of the Czech national team.
“One of the fans decided to arrange a fan plane to Baku. The preliminary price is from CZK 13,550 to CZK 16,220 for the return flight and depends on the occupancy of the aircraft, “said the national team’s fan club on Twitter.
The plan was to fly on Friday afternoon. However, the action was canceled. there were not enough applicants.
A pandemic requires documents
According to the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan is a risky state. Entry into the country is currently very regulated, but fortunately there is an exception for holders of entry to the Euro quarterfinals.
The Czech Republic and Denmark compete #Baku in the 1/4 final # EURO2020! Which side do you support? Please note that only ticket holders who are citizens of 1/4 of the final countries or have permanent residence will be able to obtain a visa to Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/sMJAk22LVi
– ASAN Visa (@asanvisa) June 29, 2021
According to detailed information from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Baku, a certificate of a PCR test with a negative result, not older than 72 hours, is required. More information here.
“We assume that the interest will not be as high as on the way to Budapest. For this reason, I believe that it will really reach everyone who will want the quarterfinals, “said Petr Šedivý, the spokesman for the Czech national team.
Baku Olympic Stadium can only be half full. The match could theoretically be watched by 31,000, which is basically precluded. On average, about half of the allowed groups arrived at the Olympic Stadium for the basic match, although the neighboring Turks also presented themselves twice in Baku. The current quotas, according to which only 1,500 Czech fans are allowed to come to the match, do not add to the prospects for a solid backdrop.
Despite the fan troubles for both quarter-finalists, long-distance travel in the advanced stages of the tournament is another unnecessary obstacle that they must overcome state-of-the-art. “These flights are a terrible tragedy. That was probably invented by a head, “said Czech gunner Patrik Schick to the UEFA address. The Czech footballers and the entire implementation team must swallow a bitter pill in the form of a long journey, at the end of which they will be welcomed by a maximum of a few thousand exhausted fans.
The Euro-Denmark-Czechia quarterfinal match will take place in Baku on Saturday, July 3, from 6 p.m.
The article has been updated with information related to the cancellation of the fan flight. And also for more detailed information on the conditions of entry into the territory of Azerbaijan from the Czech Embassy in Baku.