Newcastle United fans set for Euro cracker if Brugge clash matches atmosphere
If tonight's game is as good as the build-up here in Brugge then we are in for a real treat at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Newcastle United fans waited long enough to get their European trips back and it is safe to say they are making the most of this.
The vibe in this picturesque city has been excellent from being in Market Square - which feels like walking around the Bigg Market by the way - to just simply walking around the cobbled streets of Brugge.
Alan Pardew had appealed for fans to enjoy the occasion and remember the trip for the right reasons.
And there has been a friendly tone around the city so far.
Walking around Brugge and soaking up the atmosphere was quite a funny experience.
One minute I was taking in the stunning scenery and the canals, the next you could hear a friendly Geordie answering his phone, he said cheerfully: "Aye pet I'm in Brugge..."
Next one of the city's famous horse drawn carriages clip clopped past me and sat in it were two Geordies with black and white shirts on taking in the city!
Walking past Market Square last night you would think that Newcastle were in the Europa League final as the "Do the Ameobi" song and powerful bursts of the Coloccini song erupted around the place.
This is what Europe does for a club and while the Europa League has been hammered by some critics, to the Toon Army it is simply a delight to be part of.
It's something that Pardew has delivered in his first full season and if this is a sign of things to come, Geordie fans won't be complaining too much.
And you only had to look at the sea of black and white to see that today!
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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