They arrived in their hundreds rather than their thousands, snaking their way across a continent on the promise of adventure. Navigating their way through all sorts of weird and wonderful routes, in the hope of witnessing history being made.

Some came via Turkey, others via Ukraine, Russia, Georgia or Belarus. When there are no direct flights from the UK, you have to be creative.

Nobody set off thinking their journey was going to be fun. This was an endurance test, an ordeal, an examination of loyalty, finance and patience. A trip that that began in England’s capital and ended, many hours and 2,899 miles later, in the capital of a country few will have visited before.

The local tourist board want them to come back, Baku is desperate to attract tourists from the West, that is why it wanted to host the Europa League Final, it’s why it has shelled out millions to put on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Yet, like much of the city itself, that project remains a work in progress.

Baku, nestled on the banks of the Caspian City, is geographically part of Asia, lying east of Baghdad. It is stunning, a captivating blend of grand old Soviet architecture and modern glass and steel. It is like someone has designed it playing Sim City on their PC.