England v Belarus at Wembley: Much Better than on the TV

With England having already secured qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, much was made of going to Wembley to watch the last World Cup qualifier against Belarus.

The result would have no significant impact, several top England players would be missing (including Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney), Belarus with all due respect don't have the great players England have, and in any case the game would be televised live on terrestrial TV with highlights of course available as well.

These are just some of the reasons why only 76,897 attended the match out of a possible 90,000 crowd, and why some fans have been on the receiving end of friendly banter questioning their paying £30, £40, £50, £60 for a ticket.

But for the 76,897 who did decide to make the pilgrimage to the home of football, contrary to popular belief, it was time and money well-spent.

For a start, the atmosphere at Wembley Stadium is unparalleled.

Getting off at Wembley Park tube station, standing outside looking at the thousands of fans along Wembley Way, looking up a hundred metres away at the spectacular South Stand of the stadium and the famous arch; it gives you a buzz like no other.

Inside the stadium, moments before kick-off when the England fans sing their heart out for the national anthem, as well as for almost the entirety of the match; the cacophonous support really does seem like nothing else in international football (Croke Park and the Republic of Ireland aside).

Besides the amazing atmosphere, the football on display alone can almost justify the ticket price.

These England players are playing at the highest level in football, and it shows. Only when you go to the stadium to watch the game can you fully appreciate players like David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand (despite his recent dip in form).

David Beckham is an incredible player, and seeing a superb through-ball that dips beautifully over the defender and curves its way with pin-point precision to the attacker expertly exploiting the gap in defence and making that darting run into the box, is something that really would make you go 'Wow!'.

Frank Lampard with his brilliant footwork and technique to skip past players like they weren't even there, Gareth Barry with his great all-round play (crunching tackles, accurate passing, tactical awareness, etc, etc).

Rio Ferdinand with the defending that made him the most expensive defender in the world; all of this is only ever fully appreciated when you see it with your very own eyes.

And as for John Terry, well, only when you actually see him there right in front of your eyes do you realise just how much of a nutcase he really is.

Everytime the ball came JT's way, he'd never shy out of a challenge (both aerially and on the ground), and when the ball was in the air, he'd always make sure it was he who got his head on it. Heck, he even resorted to tackling with his head! Only seeing this live can make you fully appreciate the true madness of the man.

These sensations alone are reason enough to watch England play at Wembley in a game where the result is not necessarily significant.

But if you wanted more convincing, for every England game (competitive or friendly) you can expect the players to give it their all, because with Fabio Capello at the helm, any slackers will be sent into international football exile (Michael Owen).

And finally, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to have some happy memories from the home of football?