MONTENEGRO V ENGLAND 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER TUESDAY 26 MARCH 2013 CITY STADIUM, PODGORica KO 21:00 (LOcaL TIME) 1 GENERAL INFORMATION ENTRY TO MONTENEGRO Population: Montenegro – 626,188 (2011) Podgorica – 156,169 (2011) Language: The official language is Montenegrin, and although since independence in 2006 they have their own language, most still speak Serbian. Time Difference: +1 hour (BMT) Weather: Podgorica has a mediterranean climate, with temperatures between 5° and 15° in March. MONTENEGRO Visas: Tourist visas are not required for citizens of most European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand and the USA. Citizens of other countries should check the current requirements with their nearest Montenegrin embassy or consulate before their departure. 2 3 MONEY HEALTH AND SAFETY Cash You are expected to register with the local police within The currency is the Euro (€), comprised of 100 cents. Euro the first day of your arrival in Montenegro. There is a risk banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, that you could be fined or detained to appear in court if you €100, €200 and €500. Coins also come in denominations fail to register. If you are staying in a hotel or registered of €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, and 1c. accommodation, then you will be automatically registered upon check-in. However, it is advisable to check that this ATMs that accept major credit/debit cards, such as Visa has been carried out. and Mastercard, are an increasingly common sight and can now be found in all sizable towns and cities. Also, If you are arriving from Europe you don’t require any jabs before you leave home check with your bank about before arriving in Montenegro. exchange rates and commissions. The banking hours in Montenegro tend to be 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has replaced 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. the old E111 and is available from most post offices, through the Department for Health website Currency Exchange (www.ehic.org.uk) or by telephone 0845 606 2030. Euros are best obtained from ATM’s where you should expect to be charged the same transaction fees as at The EHIC entitles you to emergency treatment on the same home. Alternatively, use foreign currency exchange terms as Montenegrin nationals but you won’t be covered facilities within the bank, however, you will need some for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or form of ID for these transactions to take place, i.e. treatment of a non-urgent nature, so it’s still important passport or photographic driving licence. to make sure you have adequate medical insurance. Mobile Network Montenegrin Contact Numbers: Cellular network coverage is fair to good in Podgorica. Country Dialling Code: +382 However, it can be worth investing in a local pre-paid SIM City code for Podgorica: 020 card for €5, €10 or €20 to avoid paying high roaming charges. They are available from mobile phone shops, Emergency Numbers: post offices and kiosks. Police: 92 Fire: 93 Ambulance: 94 4 5 GETTING AROUND From Podgorica Airport Bus: The Montenegro Airlines bus runs directly from Public Transport: Most places you would want to the airport to Republic Square (Trg Republike). The bus get to are walkable, alternatively, taxis are extremely departs shortly after each flight arrival and the fare is cheap. The bus service in Montenegro is extensive and approx. €3 for a single journey, and tickets are purchased reliable, covering the majority of the country. The usual from the driver. fare between towns is around €2; with luggage carried below being an extra charge at around €0.50 per piece. Taxi: The only other form of transport available into the Please note however, that they are often not equipped to centre of town is a taxi. It is advisable to make sure that transport disabled travellers. you have the address of your hotel written down to hand to the driver as it is unlikely taxi drivers will speak much, if any, English. A taxi from the airport to the centre will cost around €20. 6 7 GETTING AROUND BRITISH EMBASSY AND FCO INFORMATION At the time of research Jugoslovenske Železnice (JŽ, For direct assistance, please use the following contact Yugoslav Railways) were operating the trains from information: Belgrade that run along the highly scenic line down through Podgorica to Bar and terminating at Sutomore. Embassy Information A: British Embassy Cyclists are rare even in the cities. There are no special Ulcinjska 8 provisions for them and as there are few cyclists, road- Gorica C users are not cycle savvy. 81000 Podgorica Independent travel is an ideal way to get about and T: +382 (0) 20 618 010 discover the country. Beware of traffic police with speed F: +382 (0) 20 618 020 radar guns; they also do spot checks of your documents and the car. The major European car-hire companies Office hours: British Embassy have a presence in Podgorica. Cars are required to carry 09:30 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday a first-aid kit, an emergency stop warning triangle, 09:00 to 13:00 Friday (local time) spare tyre and spare bulbs; the police can fine you for not having these. E: General Enquires: [email protected] Visa Enquiries: [email protected] Disabled Travellers Consular Enquiries: [email protected] Most pedestrians crossings in Podgorica have sloped kerbs and sound signalling systems. Unfortunately For more detailed information, consular details and regular most of the cafes and restaurants are inaccessible updates, please check the Foreign and Commonwealth for wheelchair users but a number of hotels provide Office (FCO) Travel Advice for Montenegro at: disabled access rooms. The Tourist Board should be www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice- able to provide a comprehensive list of hotels which by-country/europe/montenegro are accessible: www.montenegro.travel 8 9 MATCH INFORMATION Montenegro v England Date: Tuesday 26 March 2013 Venue: City Stadium, Podgorica Kick Off: 21:00 (local time) Capacity: 11,438 Montenegro Kit: Red shirts, Red shorts, Red socks GK: Gold shirt, Black shorts, Black socks England Kit: All white GK: All green (This may be subject to change at the referee’s discretion on the day of the game). 11 THE HISTORY England qualified for the UEFA EURO 2012 Finals in Poland and Ukraine following their 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Podgorica the last time the two teams met. Fabio Capello’s men went into the game knowing that a point would be good enough to secure their place in the Finals and it seemed they were all set to win the game with half-time approaching, as goals from Ashley Young and Darren Bent had put them firmly in the driving seat. However, Montenegro struck back just before half-time to give themselves a life-line before putting in an improved second-half performance and finding themselves with a man advantage following the sending off of Wayne Rooney. Montenegro duly found a deserved equaliser in the dying stages to spark wild scenes of celebration in Podgorica as they sealed a play-off place themselves with the result. It had all started brightly for England too, as they forced a string of corners in the first ten minutes before Rooney picked out Theo Walcott on the right and his excellent centre was headed home at the far post by Young. Young then turned provider in the 31st minute when Rooney found him on the left and after advancing into the box, his pass across the area was perfect for Bent to finish from close range. 12 THE HISTORY THE HISTORY England’s tempo and possession had them in complete was cautioned for simulation as full-time drew nearer. control of the game and as the first-half petered out, it looked as though it might turn into a comfortable evening The equaliser finally came though, as Stefan Savic crossed for Capello’s side. from the right to the far post and Andrija Delibasic climbed highest at the far post to emphatically head home and send But this is international football and just seconds before the home fans wild. the break, the hosts got themselves back into it as Elsad Zverotic brought down a pass in the area before shooting at With the news of Switzerland’s defeat in Wales having goal. The ball took a deflection off the back of Gary Cahill’s filtered through to the supporters, they knew that a point leg and just crept past Joe Hart at the near post. was good enough to see them finish in second place, so there were scenes of jubilation at the final whistle whilst That goal gave the fervent home crowd the lift they England could also leave with satisfaction at their job being needed and they emerged for the second half looking like a complete too. different team. Within five minutes of the re-start, Hart had to save from Fatos Beciraj’s low left-footer and they then ENGLAND’S MATCH HISTORY WITH MONTENEGRO had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when Steven Jovetic tumbled under Phil Jones’ challenge. Match Date Competition Stadium Score Result 12/10/2010 European Wembley 0–0 Draw England were then dealt a blow in the 73rd minute when Championship, Stadium, Rooney lost out in a tussle with a defender and kicked-out 2012 Poland & London in frustration, giving referee Wolfgang Stark little option Ukraine, Regional but to send him off. Stages 07/10/2011 European City 2–2 Draw With a man advantage and growing momentum behind Championship, Stadium, them, Montenegro ended the game strongly and Hart had 2012 Poland & Podgorica to make a fine save at full-stretch to turn Milorad Pekovic’s Ukraine, Regional bobbling shot around the post.