The Copper Box Arena

My friend & I were here last night for our first basketball game in London. The copper box arena is surrounded by a beautiful scenery of green hills & open space. At night, the neighbouring landmarks light up from a distance & it reminisces an amusement park.
There is also a canal that is a 5 minute walking distance from the arena entrance doors. The canal is an alternate route to the Copper Box. As we were leaving the event, there was a pub/​lounge seated on the edge of the canal hosting a lively party.
The interior of the arena has a suitable build. There was nothing special inside the arena. I was expecting more pizzazz. something special to keep the audience intrigued & entertained. There were no cheerleaders, merchandise giveaways or fun activities for audience interaction.
The most important aspect of the evening was that I experienced something new in London. I am looking forward to attending my first football match (soccer) in London.

I went there to see the basketball game between the London Lions and the Bristol Flyers in the BBL Championship. It was very one-​sided with most of the fans supporting the London Lions on their home ground.
Although, it really was not as exciting as the Olympic basketball games in the Basketball Arena or even the wheelchair basketball, but this was a much smaller scale arena, and nice to be back in the Olympic Park after 2012 Olympics. The Park looks really different now, with some of the structures gone and other areas landscaped.

Spent a day during half term here with the kids. Lots of activities for only £2 a child to spend the day. The food served at the Café was healthy and wholesome and kept the kids happy. They could certainly offer more but at the moment not many people around the area so thats the only reason for 4 stars. On the whole was a great day out for virtually nothing. The kids had tons of exercise and tried things they have not done before. The staff were helpful and welcoming.

I’m all for intimate venues. Who wants to see their favourite band with 10,000 other people? You want to be so close that you know what they ate for dinner… right?
The same goes to sporting experiences. And this is where the Copper Box excelled at. Even though we had the cheapest (still bloody expensive!) tickets, our view of the play area was amazing. There were also ample toilets (yay!) and since I already ate 2 happy meals and BYO’d my own popcorn, we were happy as 2 larks can be.
It’s no wonder handball is turning out to be a sleeper hit this olympics– though not a popular sport in the UK, this fast moving, high goal yield sport is fun for the experienced and the beginner to watch. The only cavet I have is that they should have a box for time penalties like they have in ice hockey.
All in all, an excellent experience. I did feel (and also at gymnastics) the MC/​commentator didn’t do the best job ever but it was adequate.

Works for it suppose.
Entering and getting out of the Box was not a hazzle and went quick and convenient. As it should.
This venue is one of the smallest, and only have space for 7.000 people. In other words: An intimate experience. I can understand why the rest of the handball matches will be played in the Basketball Arena.
I was lucky enough to see my own country, Norway, play the quarter final against Brazil. Although it unfortunately wasn’t enough spaces for all norwegians who would like to watch the match, I must say that the venue suited the match.
First of all, you have to know that Norwegian handball supporters are crazy. With cowbells, clown hair, giant flags and custom-​designed sweaters for the Olympic Games they’re ready to shout «Norge» (Norway) *clap-​clap-​clap* on repeat for 60 minutes. But when Norway save or score important goals things are getting even crazier. And i have to admit that I took part in it. Jumping, running, yelling, high-​fiving and clapping. All together in a wonderful mess.
Norway is six goals below in the middle of the match before the Norwegian handball girls turns the match upside down. Suddenly it is tied. The norwegians are screaming like never before. We’re talking wonderful mess. And — believe it or not — Norway manages to score even more goals, and actually wins the match two goals ahead of Brazil. After an awful start of the Olympics Norway beats Brazil, who won their group, out of the Olympics. Norway is in the semifinals.
The match would have got five stars from me, but not the venue. Besides the above there is nothing at the venue that surprise positively, with the possible exception of four big screens, which actually are quite small. Also, it should have been more than two kiosks.
After the Olympics it will retain in the Olympic Park and become a multi-​sport arena for community use, athlete training and small-​to-​medium scale events. That’s nice!
It was okey. Worked for it suppose. Nothing more, nothing less. And when all is said and done it actually is a bit too small.