A trip for FC Bayern and friend Chrissi

FC Bayern fans travel from all over the world to support their team at away matches – even if they have to travel hundreds of kilometres on the Autobahn or by rail, or across oceans and deserts. We want to get to know those who spare no effort or expense to see their beloved Bayern away from the Allianz Arena a little better: our away fans with their special stories, their love and their passion for FC Bayern.

On Monday, Thomas, Michael, Thorsten, Julian and Christoph set off from near Donauwörth to Stavanger. Their destination: FC Bayern’s Champions League match at Viking FK. But the five of them aren’t just travelling to Norway for the football – they have a banner with them with a get-well message for their friend Chrissi.

Chrissi was supposed to come with them, the trip was already booked, but around two weeks ago he suffered a heart attack. He’s doing pretty well now in the circumstances. Nevertheless, his friends are taking him into the stadium with them: the homemade banner is designed to show that Chrissi is in their thoughts in Stavanger. As well as the Champions League encounter, the group are also attending the Youth League match earlier in the day. They’ll return home on Wednesday.

For Thomas, the journey to Norway is the latest special moment in Europe. He’s been following Bayern at big games and on long away trips for decades. The Champions League finals in 2010, 2012 and 2013 are among the highlights for him, but so too are tours to Belarus or Moscow. The UEFA Cup games in Lisbon and Belgrade also stick in his memory.

Michael, who has a season ticket for the Allianz Arena, also looks back over many special matches. The Champions League semi-finals in 2012 and 2013 are among his highlights, as is the DFB Cup final this summer. He’s been a Bayern supporter for 39 years. Along with Thomas, he’s part of the ‘Red-White Eagles Huisheim 1996’ fan club, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year.

Their shared journey began early on too: Thomas attended his first Bayern match at the Rosenaustadion in Augsburg when he was just five years old. Now that passion is taking the friends all the way to Stavanger – and Chrissi is with them.