Estonian, Irish Fans to Face Off on Pitch
In the run-up to Friday's all-important Euro 2012 playoff in Tallinn, some fans will be doing a lot more to get into the sporting spirit than painting their faces or downing bottles of lager.
A few hours before the big match at the A. Le Coq Arena, supporters of the visiting Irish team will be facing their Estonian counterparts in a game of their own. The fan game will be played at 14:00 on the same pitch as the professional match.
"Fan games have always been a fun and sportsmanlike event and a good warm-up before the national team games. We won't attempt a top-level performance here, that will be left for the professionals," said one of the event's organizers, Madis Hallimäe.
A corresponding fan match is also planned for the second-leg of the playoff in Dublin on November 15, sport.err.ee reported.
Steve Roman