Two German giants on the River Rhein..

For those that don't follow goings on in the best-attended football league in Europe, today, Sunday 10th April, is 'derby day' as two rivals from the River Rhein, 1. FC Köln and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, lock horns at the RheinEnergie Stadion.

Whilst the rivalry between the two clubs might not be the best known about in Europe, it's still pretty fierce - with 1. FC Köln historically the more dominant domestically, though their arch-rivals have enjoyed plenty of notoriety in European competitions - especially in modern times.

To throw in a couple of random facts, 1. FC Köln have won two Bundesliga titles, whilst Bayer 04 Leverkusen have never actually finished top, but have finished as runners up on no fewer than five occasions.

The two clubs are located around 10 miles apart - with 1. FC Köln found in the west of the city, not overly far from where the main student population resides, whilst Leverkusen are in the north - about a mile or so away from Schlebusch (the terminus metro station on Line 4).

During a crazy near month-long tour of Europe at the start of this year, I was fortunate to visit both stadiums. As you can see, just like the clubs themselves, their stadiums also contrast greatly from one another...

Outside the BayArena.

Taken from the hotel, adjacent to the BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen were playing 'silly sods' about letting me into the ground to take some photos.

The distinctive roof at the BayArena.

The impressive roof of the stadium.

The training facility adjacent to the BayArena - with more fences around than Fort Knox.

In the other part of the city, at the RheinEnergie Stadion - a distinctive venue.

Looking into the stadium.

This is where England played Sweden at the 2006 World Cup.

Another photo looking into the RheinEnergie Stadion.