EAST IS EAST AND WEST IS WEST

May 29th 2019, two London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea met in a "derby" on this day, in the final of the Europa League. The venue for this "derby" was in fact the Olympic Stadium, Baku. I hope you know it? Baku is further east than Baghdad and is the capital city of Azerbaijan, an East European country which has its border with Iran. It borders with Asia. 

Azerbaijan, despite its peripheral location, is a member of UEFA and should be involved in such celebrations, despite the cost and practicalities of our London fans travelling around 5000 miles, round trip to see their teams play. Inevitably, the prospect of this complication meant that the allocation of tickets could not be sold. The locals weren't interested either, although there were reports of "free tickets" for and open gates during the time of the final. This bears some resemblance to the UEFA Champions' League Cup Final, tonight, when our two English clubs are treated to a journey to the far reaches of Europe, to play a UEFA Final in Porto, 820 miles away as the crow flies.

In the early twentieth century, football became popular in Azerbaijan, which was then part of the Russian Empire. In 1912, Azerbaijani footballers had their first "international match" and they won in Georgia against the local "Sokol" team with 4-2. During 1912–1913, matches between Azerbaijani and Georgian football teams were organized, first in Tbilisi and then in Baku. In 1914, the Football Union founded in Azerbaijan, undertook the organization of official city championships and other competitions.

The oldest record of football teams in Soviet Azerbaijan goes back to 1926–1927, when Trans-Caucasian Championship was organized in Tbilisi. Three countries participated: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The Azerbaijan national football team held its first friendly matches against Georgia and Armenia in 1927, for the Trans-Caucasian Championship in Georgia. Also in 1926, football players from Azerbaijan played three matches with an Iranian football team in Baku. In 1929, three matches between these teams were played in Tehran. In all matches Azerbaijan won.

The 1960s is considered the "Golden Age" for Azerbaijani football (known as The Milli-National) as it produced some great teams (comparatively) and the football referee Tofiq Bahramov,, most famous for being the linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final against West Germany. Dome of you are too young to remember the great moment. Currently ranked 110th in FIFA (73rd has been the best). Their most capped player is Rashid Sadygov-111caps-5 goals!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROn1Z22T9fo  a video which you have to see.

England has played them in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying on 13th October 2004 away winning 1-0 with a goal from Michael Owen. Carlos Alberto was their manager! AND the return on March 30th 2005 at St James' Park winning 2-0: Gerrard and Beckham scored.