Free Lions

14/11/2024

Unfortunately, once again, we are having to ask England supporters to send in their witness accounts to ourselves regarding the situation outside of the Athens Olympic Stadium.

Despite being told how things would operate in advance, to see the exact opposite occur in some cases, and to see the treatment of our fans by local police using shields and tear gas to do something as simple as rearrange a queue, is so incredibly frustrating.

We’ll say more over the next 24 hours, but in the meantime, if fans can email [email protected] with your experiences, we will work with the FA and we will raise with Football Supporters Europe and in turn UEFA, who have already been made aware.

On a night where we had a great result on the pitch, there is still clearly so much needed to do off it to ensure our supporters aren’t put in unjustifiably dangerous situations.

We keep trying. Safe travels home all and thanks in advance.

14/11/2024

The stadium is now open.

Public transport is expected to be busy. If travelling by Metro, use line M1 to Irini, the green one.

Leave good time to get there. Come on England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

14/11/2024

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇷

Here is some key info ahead of tonight.

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
If heading from the city centre of Athens, metro line M1 (the green one) will take you to Irini, next to the stadium. From here it is around a 20 minute walk to the away section. This station is accessible.

We wouldn’t advise getting a taxi, or if you do, make sure you leave at least two hours before kick-off, traffic isn’t great on a non-matchday, so expect this will be extremely busy.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
England fans are located in blocks 20 and 22 of the upper tier, with wheelchair supporters using block 21 (info should have been provided to you by the FA on entry points).

The stadium will open three hours before kick-off at 18:45pm.

Fans will face an initial ticket check and body search before entering the outer concourse area where the concessions are. Anyone trying to enter without a ticket can be pulled aside and issued with a €500 fine on the spot.

We have been told that fans must bring passports, we realise this isn’t ideal, but don’t shoot the messengers.

The turnstiles are located just before the ramp up to the seating deck, and tickets can only be scanned once.

The toilets are located before you go through the turnstiles (we know…) so would advise using those before going to your seat. If you need to use the toilet, a steward will be located at the gate to let you out (and apparently back in).

There should be plenty of space for flags (2x1.5m).

Bags no larger than A4 size are allowed, and power banks no bigger than your phone are also allowed.

No alcohol will be served, only 0%.

A section of seats at the front of the upper tier have a sticker placed on them for fans who have been allocated a place to stay seated throughout, please respect this.

𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞
We expect a holdback of up to 20-30 mins, but this could change so listen out for announcements. We were told toilets would be accessible at this time.

We have been told that trains will continue to run until 01:30, and will continue to run until everyone has cleared, with trains only running back to the city centre.

Fans heading straight to the airport are advised to head back to the city centre and use the bus services from there, although there are also a couple of options not too far from the ground, a quick Google Maps search will show the best options at that time.

https://www.oasa.gr/en/routes/special-bus-lines/24-hour-service-bus-lines/

It goes without saying that transport back to the city will be busy. If you can locate a taxi, great, but again the traffic will be heavy.

𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The ticket collection point at the Moxy Hotel in Omonoia is open until 7:15pm. Please contact the ESTC directly should this be an issue for you.

𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐬’ 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐲
Our Fans’ Embassy team will be based outside of the ticket collection point, and are contactable via all social media channels and our 24/7 helpline +447956121314.

13/11/2024

We’ve had a couple of reports of pick pocketing around Athens.

Naturally this won’t be breaking news, but keep this in mind as you’re out and about and keep an eye on your things.

13/11/2024

Some seats have been reserved at the front of the away section in block 20 tomorrow night for fans wishing to sit.

Those fans will have tickets allocated in this area, so please consider that when entering the seating deck. Each of these seats will have a sticker on them.

13/11/2024

The last trip of 2024, it has been some year, hasn’t it?

The Fans’ Embassy is open outside of the ticket collection point at the Moxy Hotel.

Free Lions 194, with the cursed front cover of Trent Alexander-Arnold, is here to collect.

The ticket collection is open until 8pm.

06/11/2024

⚽️𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐯 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
🗓️𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟏:𝟒𝟓
🏟️𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦

We’re off to Athens for our last trip of 2024.

Please keep an eye on our channels throughout, those with experience know how much this info can change closer to the time.

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
If flying into Athens International, take Metro Line M3 into the city centre. This can be done at a cost of €9, tickets can be purchased via the machines at the station which can be selected in English. You will be looking to purchase an Athens & Airport ticket which lasts for 90 mins after the ticket has been verified. A return is €16.

There are five-day passes available for €8, or a day pass for €4.10 to get you around the city itself, but these do not cover the airport.

Uber does work here and will connect you with the yellow cabs that you’ll see everywhere, to get around the city itself these are relatively cheap.

If there is a group of you, we’d actually recommend splitting the cost of a taxi from the airport which is around €40-50, especially if you land at night.

Public transport normally finishes just after midnight.

E-Scooters are available, but much of the city and the main attractions are walkable.

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
The best way to the stadium is via public transport, but given the stadium opens three hours before, this tells you how busy it can be.

The nearest station to the ground is Irini (Eirini) on line M1 (the green line). From here it will be around a 20 minute walk to the far side of the stadium where our section is.

We wouldn’t advise getting a taxi, with city centre traffic this will take around 90 minutes, although it may not be as bad after the game if you can bag one. We’d still advise public transport.

After the game, public transport services will run until 01:30.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦
The Athens Olympic Stadium is located towards the outskirts of the city. The capacity for this game is set at 65,000. The stadium will open three hours before kick-off at 18:45.

England fans will occupy blocks 20 and 22 in the Upper Tier, with accessible supporters located in block 21.

You will first approach a ticket check before climbing the stairs onto the outdoor concourse area. Anyone trying to get in without a ticket or with a counterfeit runs the risk of an immediate on the spot €500 fine.

The toilets are strangely located outside of the turnstiles which are located just before entering the seating deck, so go for a wee before entry if possible. If you enter and need to come back out, you will be required to go back through the turnstile process.

✅Power banks
✅Bags no bigger than A4
❌Bag Storage
❌Alcohol on sale
✅Flags 2x1.5m
✅Cash and card

We do expect to be held back for around 20-30 minutes at the end of the game, where we were told access to toilets and concessions will be allowed. You must have left by 75 mins if you don’t want to be held back.

England fans in home sections run the risk of ejection, and you will not be relocated to the official England section.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨
Info available in our Free Lions ⬇️

𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
You won’t struggle to find anywhere to drink in Athens, but the popular areas are around Monastiraki and Piraeus.

We have more recommendations in the Free Lions.

𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭
ESTC members will be able to collect their tickets from the Moxy Hotel near Omonoia Station (located on metro lines M1 and M2).

Opening times:
Wednesday 13th 11:00-20:00
Thursday 14th 10:00-19:15

𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐬’ 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
The Fans’ Embassy team will be based next to the ticket collection point at Omonoia Station, opposite the Moxy Hotel. Issue 194 of the Free Lions will be available to collect.

We’ll be there from 11:00-17:00 on Wednesday, 10:00-17:00 on Thursday.

If you need any help, our contact info is in the Free Lions.

The Three Lions will travel to Athens for their last awayday of 2024 – and we have all the best information for England’s travelling fans. The FSA’s Free Lions Fans’ Embassy team will be on hand to help anyone travelling to the match at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.

23/10/2024

The sold out away section in Athens (upper tier). More tickets were requested as per usual.

We’ll be in blocks 20 and 22, with accessible supporters in block 21.

Brilliant support as always for the last trip of 2024.

We’ll have key info about the trip out soon 🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

21/10/2024

The view from the away section at the Athens Olympic Stadium.

3500 England fans will be on the upper tier.

21/10/2024

660 tickets will be available for Greece away in the second chance sale on Wednesday at midday.

20/10/2024

The deadline for buying Greece tickets is tomorrow morning for those still left to buy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇷

18/10/2024

The Free Lions from Finland away will be arriving with subscribers soon, but for those that missed out on one out there, you can get a hard copy via the link below.

The Free Lions team provided a guide to England’s Nations League 2024-25 game against Finland, in Helsinki on, 13 October 2024. Available to FSA members (you can join here).

17/10/2024

The last trip of 2024 is on the horizon, and Greece tickets have gone on sale for those successful. You have until noon on Monday to buy before the second chance sale begins. £10 a ticket 👏🏻👏🏻

We’ll have more info on the trip to Athens out soon, needless to say there will be plenty to see and do 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

14/10/2024

Safe travels home to all England fans in Helsinki.

Brilliant support once again, great to see and speak to many of you. See you in Athens 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

13/10/2024

All 2,200 editions of the Free Lions have been distributed, just in case you’re heading to the Fan Embassy point to collect one.

We will have a small number on our website when we get home.

13/10/2024

13/10/2024

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The Fans’ Embassy team are based at Senate Square, next to the cathedral. Issue 193 of the Free Lions is here to collect.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ⬇️

• Gates open at 17:30, 90 mins before kick-off.

• You can walk to the ground in around 30-40 mins, or take trams 4 and 10 towards the stadium.

• The official England section is entrance B. Power banks are allowed, and we were told bags of A3 size are also allowed but we would advise not bringing any. There is a storage area next to the away section at a cost of €3.

• Flags of 2x1.5m size are allowed, anything bigger should have a fire certificate. Flags covering fire exit signs may be removed, see images below.

• Alcohol will be served in the ground and we have been told it is card only. You cannot drink in sight of the pitch.

• There will be a section at the front of the away end for fans who have requested to sit, so please respect this area.

• We are not expecting a hold back, but should there be one it will be announced before the end of the game. Supporters who need a quick getaway can leave by 75 mins to avoid the holdback.

• The Finland fans are starting a fan walk to the stadium around 2 hours before the game, a few hundred are likely to join this and it starts not far from the Old Irish Pub, so this may impact on traffic and public transport.

• The ticket collection point is open until 18:00 today at the Hilton Strand Helsinki hotel.

Have a great day and night all 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

12/10/2024

The Fans’ Embassy is up and running at Senate Square in Helsinki.

Free Lions 193 is here to collect.

The ticket collection point is also open at the Helsinki Hilton Strand hotel near Kallio.

Our helpline is open should you need us on +447956121314