About 500 PSV fans are having a great time in Glasgow in Scotland on Tuesday afternoon. PSV will play there on Tuesday evening at nine o’clock in the play-offs for the Champions League against Rangers FC. Among the supporters present are Frans Vos (67) from Vught and Petra Leenders (63) from Eindhoven. They have been football buddies for fifteen years. Their wives don’t care about football.
Monday evening at half past six they left for Scotland by bus. “We were here on Tuesday afternoon at twelve o’clock. It was quite a tough journey, but everything for the club, hey,” says Frans. The two have settled in a pub where more fans have gathered. “But first we went shopping. Get some magnets that can be put on the fridge.”
PSV also played against Rangers in the play-offs for the Champions League last season. Five supporters got to know each other on the bus to Scotland. They became friends and are now back in Glasgow as a group.
One of them is Frank Warmerdam (23) from Tiel. “During away games you always get to know new people. We were there last year and now again. Everything for the club.” 26-year-old Thijn Verleisdonk from Uden adds: “Staying at home is not an option!”
The only woman in the group is Daily van Diepen (22) from Eindhoven. When asked what they do all day now, she resolutely replies: “We really drink all day.”
29-year-old Chris van Rooij from Eersel also traveled after PSV together with his mate Sander de Graaff (28) from Steensel. In the pub they met two other supporters: Milan Teeken (31) from Breda and Thomas van de Wint (26) from Almere.
Chris: “We drink beer all afternoon while we play cards. Tuesday is all about PSV. Wednesday we will explore the city and on Thursday we fly back.” It is the first time for Sander that he has participated in a PSV away game.
So Milan is on the road with Thomas. Milan: “We booked for the home game against Sturm Graz, on a gamble. So we’re here for three tens.” Thomas confesses that he booked a hotel for one person in Glasgow while intoxicated. “So we had to book later,” he says with a smile.
PSV kicks off against Rangers at nine o’clock. The return is next week in Eindhoven. The winner of this diptych qualifies for the Champions League. Last year, the two clubs also played against each other in the play-offs. Then Rangers went to the Champions League at the expense of PSV.