Minsk V St Johnstone 1 August 1St Leg Eq Rnd 3

[andrew]

Bring on the dyslexic Dundonians!

Who are they? How good are they? Can we beat them? Have they played in Europe before?

[andrew]

Azal Baku (Azerbaijan) 1-1A 2-1H

Gaziantespor (Turkey) 1-1H 1-4A

Valetta (Malta) A1-1 H2-0

[travel]

Hi everybody!

Sorry for our intrusion in your forum.

 

We are a tour operator based in Italy and, among other activities, we specialized in destination Belarus.

We have been organizing for 10 years special charter flights between Italy and Belarus for humanitarian associations planning hospitality programs of "Chernobyl children", transporting during these years more than 50.000 of them and we have been using Minsk airport for hundreds of flights with both belarussian and italian carriers. 

This activity made us gaining a huge experience in destination Belarus. In recent past years we arranged also events for other sport teams similar to the one we could organize now for St. Johnstone fans.

Just as an example, we have organized charter flights, hotel accomodation, and tourists services for ITALY NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM playing in Minsk for qualifications to FIFA World Cup (more than 200 people).
Starting last year, thanks to the deep knowledge of the country, we opened a dedicated department (also with Russian speaking staff) for the organization of sport events held in the Republic of Belarus, where we have fully organized some major sport events in both football and ice-hockey.

 

Referring to the participation of St. Johnstone FC in 3^rd qualifying round of UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE in Belarus and the really short time to the following departure (31 July), we sent already our proposal of charter flights from Edinburgh to Belarus and back, accommodation, transfers and our fully dedicated assistance both to the St. Johnstone FC and their official travel partner TMG but we have been told they had already arranged all the services of the potential trip.

Since we have read that St. Johnstone FC doesn’t want to organize the trip for fans due to lack of time, we think that it’s a pity not to give a lot of interested supporters the possibility to be there in a suitable (direct) way.

If you consider to be an adequate number to fill up the plane (120) and you have a representative (Fan Club Association or  something) that can take care about collecting subscriptions and money, you can find hereunder our offers.

In second instance, you can even try to convince St. Johnstone FC to take part in the same proposal (with around 40/50 passengers), in that case you just need to reach the number of 70/80 passengers

Of course we can help with visa, issuing required letter of invitation.

 

HYP 1 – MATCH PLAYED IN GRODNO

 

ITINERARY: (flight plan subject to operational reconfirmation)

31 JULY 2013               EDINBURGH (EDI) – GRODNO (GNA)   11.50-16.45

 

01 AUGUST 2013          GRODNO (GNA) – EDINBURGH (EDI)   22.50-23.55

                                                                                                              

All departures/arrivals are expressed in local time (EDI: UTC+1 ; GNA: UTC+3)

 

CARRIER: Belavia – Belarusian Airlines (IATA code: B2)

 

FLIGHT COST: EUR 81.800,00 with Boeing 737-500 (120 seats)

 

The above timings are set considering that the match will be played in Grodno at 19.00 local time and that the group will fly back home just after the match.

 

***

We already have allotment in the best available hotel in Grodno for team, press and fans and we are ready to provide all additional travel services.

 

LAND SERVICES INDIVIDUAL COST:

in TWIN SUPERIOR ROOM: EUR 60,00        

in SINGLE SUPERIOR ROOM: EUR 80,00        

 

COST INCLUDES:

- 1 hotel night inclusive of buffet breakfast;

- Bus transfers: airport – hotel / hotel – stadium / stadium – airport;

- Specialized local bilingual assistants (English/Russian);

- Compulsory Belarusian Insurance.

 

 

 

HYP 2 – MATCH PLAYED IN MINSK or NEARBY LOCATION

 

ITINERARY: (flight plan subject to operational reconfirmation)

31 JULY 2013               EDINBURGH (EDI) – MINSK (MSQ)      11.50-16.55

 

01 AUGUST 2013          MINSK (MSQ) – EDINBURGH (EDI)       23.40-00.55

                                                                                                          

All departures/arrivals are expressed in local time (EDI: UTC+1 ; MSQ: UTC+3)

 

CARRIER: Belavia – Belarusian Airlines (IATA code: B2)

 

FLIGHT COST: EUR 78.600,00 with Boeing 737-500 (120 seats)

 

The above timings are set considering that the match will be played in Minsk or nearby location at 19.00 local time and that the group will fly back home just after the match.

 

*** 

We already have allotment in two hotels in Minsk for team, press and fans and we are ready to provide all additional travel services.

 

LAND SERVICES INDIVIDUAL COST:

 

TEAM AND OFFICIALS – 4*SUP. HOTEL

in TWIN ROOM: EUR 95,00

in SINGLE ROOM: EUR 140,00        

 

FANS – 3*SUP. HOTEL

in TWIN ROOM: EUR 75,00

 

COST INCLUDES:

- 1 hotel night inclusive of buffet breakfast;

- Bus transfers: airport – hotel / hotel – stadium / stadium – airport;

- Specialized local bilingual assistants (English/Russian);

- Compulsory Belarusian Insurance.

 

Contacts:

TRAVEL WAYS

Via Novelli 4/b

24122 BERGAMO

Tel. +39.035.242309

Fax +39.035.245647

Email: travel@travelways.it

Skype: travelwayseurope

[Tranmere Saintee]

Azal Baku (Azerbaijan) 1-1A 2-1H

Gaziantespor (Turkey) 1-1H 1-4A

Valetta (Malta) A1-1 H2-0

The top 2 games were last season, their debut in Europe.

 

They are a relatively new club only being formed in 2006 taking over the licence of Smena and thus avoided the lower division.

[dave mc]

Travel

Will you be able to get visas for the trip?

[HelsinkiSaintee]

All these guys are offering is a letter of invitation according to their proposal. If your visa application isn't in today, you aren't going without some bribery and corruption.

[travel]

We really agree that time is really short but according to the Belarusian Embassy rules the express processing visa issuing can be optained in up to 48 hours.

It means that if somebody can be in London Embassy on Monday morning with all documents, visa could be obtained hopefully on Tuesday afternoon... just in time for leaving next day to Belarus. The above if you can find somebody taking care about the situation at Belarusian Embassy.

[garydavidson]

Not that these rankings mean too much but I see Minsk are ranked 248th by EUFA. Rosenborg are 109th.

 

Saints are 292nd, on the same points as Falkirk!

 

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/index.html

[Real Madrid]

I must admit I've let reality creep in today and will most probably not be at the game, if it was not for the visa thing I would certainly have gone and stayed with friends in Poland as the game is drivable from their apartment.

[rik2304]

Minsk are definitely beatable.Tough but beatable. Certainly at the bubbling cauldron that is euro fortress McD.

[byebyedundee]

I truly feel this game will be tougher as their a raw hardworking team ....

 

If Tommy keeps our boys firmly grounded and does his homework like before we can progress closer to that group stage....

[SlickDT]

Out of interest....... Do we keep the seeding of Rosenborg for the following round if we were to beat Minsk? Eg- would we be seeded in the play-off round?

[HelsinkiSaintee]

No, only against Minsk.

[dunblanemike]

http://belarus.visahq.co.uk/

click the visitor button on the left rather tourist. All looks fairly straightforward if you can get a letter of invitation. Would FC Minsk invite us? Going to cost 127 quid.

[andy rhodes fancy watch]

Can we sneak in and back out again ?

Edited July 26, 2013 by andy rhodes fancy watch

[john1962]

Seems its a 7 pm kick off which is 5 pm in planet Scotland. Early finishes for some.

[PerthSeany]

Can we sneak in and back out again ?

 

 

I dread to think what would happen to you if you got caught anyway! haha

[Baiggers]

http://belarus.visahq.co.uk/

click the visitor button on the left rather tourist. All looks fairly straightforward if you can get a letter of invitation. Would FC Minsk invite us? Going to cost 127 quid.

 

 

Type of visa Max. validity Embassy fee Our fee VAT Processing time Total

Single Entry up to 30 days £80.00 £39.95 £7.99 5 business days £127.94

Single Entry up to 30 days £155.00 £44.95 £8.99 2 business days £208.94

Double Entry up to 30 days £80.00 £39.95 £7.99 5 business days £127.94

Double Entry up to 30 days £155.00 £44.95 £8.99 2 business days £208.94

Multiple Entry up to 30 days £80.00 £39.95 £7.99 5 business days £127.94

Multiple Entry up to 30 days £155.00 £44.95 £8.99 2 business days £208.94

 

To get it in time, we would need to get visas in first thing Monday morning on the 2 business days rate so £155 for the visa.  The way I understand it, this lot are just an agency who will help you get you an invite and hand your application form in for you.  It looks like they want £55 to do that!

 

If you book a hotel in Belarus, they will send you an invitation letter.  Info@hotel-neman.by were quick enough to respond to me and in good English.

 

I was looking at flights Edinburgh to Luton on Wed morning (time to get into London to pick up passport with visa) then flight from Luton to Vilnius.

 

Coming back Friday from Vilnius to Luton then Luton to Edinburgh.

 

About £370

 

The plan was to try and get some sort of transport arranged to go from Vilnius airport to Grodno and then head back to stay in Vilnius after the match.  I hadn't got round to pricing up taxis or private hire buses, think the service bus is 6pm on the Wednesday so too early for catching.

 

I think it's just going to be too much to try and get someone to take the visa applications down to London for Monday morning and arrange, especially without managing to speak to the embassy beforehand.  Also, there is the risk of booking flights without the visa confirmed and you would likely need to have transport arrangements all finalised for detailing on the visa application form.  It is not a case of just getting in and doing what you want.  They will want to know how you are coming in and out and where you are staying etc.

[Saintly Child]

Spent all day trying to arrange this, Even with someone in London doing my paperwork it's a no go. Too many things can go wrong they want every detail of your trip times , location etc etc. it's not worth it for one game, it went over the £600 for myself, visa, travel, so forget it.

[Gaz9274]

We went to Belarus as part of the Scotland trip last time and the way we worked it was to all chip in for the cost of someone to travel to London with the paperwork for everyone. The problem here is the short notice. UEFA need to take a look at themselves when there is only 7 days between ties and countries like this are involved.

[PerthSeany]

save our money for the home leg folks

[Cagey]

I hope the players & management team get their visas in time.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Is anyone going to make it? The forum's own Dev had a plan on Thursday night that involved camping out at the Belarussian embassy next week until he gets a Visa then catching the first flight in the general direction of Belarus!

[PerthSeany]

I hope the players & management team get their visas in time.

 

If anyone in the squad has criminal convictions would that cause them not to be allowed entry with the squad?

 

I can imagine Belarus are quite strict on things like that?

[Baiggers]

Is anyone going to make it? The forum's own Dev had a plan on Thursday night that involved camping out at the Belarussian embassy next week until he gets a Visa then catching the first flight in the general direction of Belarus!

 

I don't think you would get one under those circumstances.  You need to provide details of how you are getting in and out and state where you are staying.