Vitejte v Riverside - kolebce evropskeho fotbalu
Welcome to the Riverside – Home of European Football!
On this historic night, the 16th of September,
2004 – make it one to remember.

It’s the UEFA Cup and the Boro are in it,
Some wags are proclaiming that we might even win it,
But I’d suggest that we all keep our feet on the ground,
For this is, after all, just the very first round.

We’ve waited ‘a lifetime’ but we’re now making history,
And the least we expect is a convincing victory,
So welcome this European inauguration,
With the longest and loudest, real Teesside ovation.

Give a real vote of thanks to Vladimir Janek,
When he makes his appearance having made the long trek,
He’s a guest of the town with his son of 12; Jan,
And he’s proved to us all he’s a true football fan.

Without outside help, of his very own volition,
No financial reward, not even commission,
He’s amassed information and everything’s planned,
To welcome all Boro fans when they visit his land.

For him to come here was, well, out of the question,
Until Boro fan, Chris Turner, had a wondrous suggestion,
He took out a bucket, got donations galore,
Sufficient for flight, the hotel and much more.

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The teams are now assembled on this true, historic night,
The ground is quite a picture, with the visitors all in white,
As the referee, a Frenchman, has a quick glance at the clock,
I notice Chairman, Mr. Gibson, who’s as proud as any peacock.

The journey to arrive here has certainly been a very long one,
And Banik’s team, do rest assured, will surely be a strong one,
I glimpse a sample of the Boro’s ‘Dressed-up-to-the-nines’ fan,
And in Brownlee’s own immortal words, there’s even a “female linesman.”

So, the ball’s now on the spot and the fans are all ecstatic,
The atmosphere is something special for every home fanatic,
Early pressure is applied by our own Slovakian, Szil,
But Parnaby failed quite narrowly to get in for the kill.

A short free kick by Zenden soon found its way to Franck,
Who got across a great ball from way out on the flank,
It landed for Viduka, who hit a fine shot on the turn,
But we still await that Euro goal for which we really yearn.

Southgate rose to win a header then he needed some assistance,
But Latal, the Banik leader, struck a great ball in from distance,
Schwarzer pushed it for a corner; he was, thankfully, alive,
The kick was somehow cleared but we were lucky to survive.

Some sloppy Boro moments caused McClaren great concern,
No matter how he berates them, they simply never seem to learn,
Parlour lunged in awfully late and the result made me feel sick,
The stretcher’s quickly called for and it’s the end for Dvornik.

Amazingly, to my mind, though really serious it looked,
Parlour got away Scot-free and he wasn’t even booked,
Sadly, for Dvornik, there is no further part to play,
But it’s a chance for Velkoborsky who is brought on straightaway.

Sheer bravery from Parnaby, who threw himself in and, by heck!
He certainly saved the Boro from one being lined up by Cizek,
His block was really quite terrific and, just by doing enough, he
Proved to all those watching that this is going to be a toughie.

Nemeth’s within inches of opening up Boro’s Euro account,
As finally, and to great acclaim, the pressure starts to mount,
Szilard turned upon a sixpence then his shot’s almost perfection,
But Raska pushed it ‘round the corner and surely justified selection.

Parnaby really should have scored as Boro turned the screw,
Nemeth broke along the right then saw another Raska rescue,
The ‘keeper’s great performance has really left me most impressed,
And after every save he makes he proudly beats his chest.

Nemeth forced a corner though he’s something of a riddle,
He failed to beat the first man with red shirts waiting in the middle,
Zenden’s great delivery’s met by Riggott with such power,
But he couldn’t keep it down and, did I see McClaren glower?

Yet another corner’s sent by Zenden rather long,
It’s picked up wide by Jimmy who, so far’s not quite on song,
Nemeth was again too high with a quite audacious chip,
But these men from far-off Ostrava are proving difficult to unzip.

Just as we await the final touch to be successfully applied,
Raska flies out from his goal and Viduka’s then denied,
A Boro goal had seemed certain and the future looked so bright,
But we’d reckoned without their ‘keeper who’s having a really marvellous night.

Zenden attacks the area and, in a wonderful position,
Is brought to ground; a free kick’s earned; will it come now to fruition?
It’s well in range for Jimmy and it’s left to his discretion,
But he sends it wide then looks away with his trademark, pained expression.

The brilliant Chris Riggott stood there alone and most defiant,
As he snuffed out Velkoborsky who is something of a giant,
Once again we’d witnessed some quite remarkable defending,
As the referee blows his whistle to show the first half is now ending.

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No changes made by either side as ‘battle’ recommences,
And Boro must surely score a goal or pay the consequences,
The first chance fell to Banik, just as Boateng somehow stumbled,
As Latal thought about a shot the move then quickly crumbled.

Riggott’s ball glides to the head of Viduka as he rises,
It then broke for JFH and another chance arises,
But his shot then lost a lot of sting as it took a slight deflection,
And Raska in the Banik goal made the easiest collection.

A good ball from Queudrue saw Mark Viduka’s swift control,
Then came a chance for George Boateng to have a pot at goal,
From twenty yards he struck it: he’s been really bright and breezy,
Though it bounced up rather awkwardly, the ‘keeper’s save was easy.

Nemeth’s pained expression clearly told its very own story,
He got on the end of Zenden’s cross and then awaited glory,
Having pulled out all the stops he took it in his stride,
But sadly for the Boro fans, he placed it slightly wide.

With McClaren on the prowl and not too happy, on the whole,
The Boro finally cracked it, to get their opening Euro goal,
As the ball then nestled in the net the Banik hearts all sank,
And to whom do we all owe our thanks? To JF Hasselbaink.

Boateng had the first shot but he saw it being deflected,
It bobbled ‘round the area and Jimmy then collected,
He scored then looked towards the heavens and saluted to the skies,
One could clearly see the pleasure in those huge, expressive eyes.

With signs of Banik cracking and their supporters strangely stilled,
Viduka got a great ball in which the nervous ‘keeper spilled,
It’s been a long time coming: more than a hundred years,
But this Boro machine’s now purring, really smoothly through the gears.

We didn’t have too long to wait and the Boro made it two,
As Viduka’s shot, sent fast and low, into the corner flew,
But let’s not forget young Parnaby who played a massive part,
To put this game beyond recall and break Ostrava’s heart.

Further sloppy Boro play had McClaren almost frantic,
He knows that, should our heroes fail, the cost would be gigantic,
“Keep pressing on,” he urges, “We’ve really got to toil,”
He’ll do everything that’s needed to keep this kettle on the boil.

With just ten minutes left we put the icing on the cake,
When Zenden’s cross picked out Viduka, who left everyone in his wake,
He leapt high into the air and Banik were suddenly Viduka’d,
And surely now, with three goals scored, this Banik side is snookered?

Shell-shocked Banik Ostrava were now really on the rack,
Mesmerised by the Boro and their quality attack,
First of all ‘twas Jimmy’s and then we saw Viduka’s,
Now I understand what’s really meant by “a pair of big bazookers.”

Acclaim from all around the ground is constantly now ringing,
“There’s only one Stevie Gibson,” the jubilant crowd is singing,
In the end we gave the visitors a really thorough trouncing,
Surely there’s no way we’ll see this Banik Czech a’bouncing?

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Finally, let us all raise a glass to our new Czech friend, that's Miro,
For all that he has done for us, he simply is a hero,
To fans travelling to Ostrava and going out on the town,
Have a truly wonderful trip but don’t let anyone down.

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