Espanyol: The other club

Last weekend I attended an Espanyol game for the first time. I know what you´re thinking: What is a Barça fan doing at an Espanyol game? In my defense I wasn´t there for the teams I was there because two of my favorite Mexican players were playing: Andres Guardado and Hector Moreno. I don´t regret going, football is football. Its a beautiful game and it doesn´t matter who plays. I was surprised with with how many people showed up. I´m not saying they have a small fan base but I´ve seen different Espanyol games and the stadium never looked as full as when I went.

My trip to the stadium started with a funny story. I´m so bad at planning, anything whether its an important trip or a small event the next day. I showed up at the metro not knowing what metro stop to get off at but I did see a few Espanyol fans. I would just follow them, and I did. I followed them almost to the stadium until a group of Espanyol fans chanting and yelling made their way to me. They asked me if I was going to the Espanyol game and I nodded, so one of the girls grabbed my hand and dragged me into their group, accepting me as one of their own. How mad do you think they will be if they found out I was a Barça fan?, was all I kept thinking. They didn´t ask me if I was an Espanyol fan so technically I wasn´t lying. Some did look at me confused as to whether I wasn´t joining in the chants, but they just assumed I was shy. As we arrived at the stadium one of the guys handed me an Espanyol scarf. Don´t push it. I did grab it though, but I did not wear it. We had an interesting conversation about how I was from the US and they were surprised that I knew that much about football being American and a girl.

As the game was about to start I headed to my seat and realized that the Espanyol games had a different atmosphere. Espanyol is more of a  family club, most people don´t become fans because they think the club is great or because its popular. They don´t have as many titles as other Spanish teams although they have been successful. The reason why most Espanyol fans are Espanyol fans is because their parents were Espanyol fans, and so were their grandparents. The love for the team is passed down from generation to generation and that’s how they keep the club and fan base alive. It was different from other games I´ve been to. In all the Barça games I´ve been too there is a man or group of people sitting behind me yelling insults or criticizing our players when they miss a shot. During the Espanyol game I heard none. I know not all Barça fans are the same way and not all Espanyol fans are completely loyal to their club. But while I was there the fans clapped whenever a player missed, like giving them their support, even for Sergio Garcia who was not having a good game.

As minute 21 approached people started to clap. They clapped for a straight minute in honor of the Espanyol player Daniel Jarque who died at the age of 26. He wore the kit number 21. Right inside the stadium there is also a statue in his honor, he was a very loved player.

The Espanyol fans get a little too happy when the team scores. The guy next to me who I didn´t even know turned to me and hugged me and then continued to jump up and down. My overall experience was a great one. I would definitely go again maybe this time not alone.

More than a Club

The name Barcelona is mentioned and for many the first thing that comes to mind is the team. To some, it is the best team in the world. FC Barcelona or Barça as it is referred to by fans is one of the most successful football clubs not just in Spain but in the rest of the world. FC Barcelona was founded on November 29, 1899 by Hans-Max Gamper or Joan Gamper as he is known by most. The club has become more of a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. Barça is not just a club. Barça is a way of life, an inspiration, a reminder to keep fighting and to never give up. Their motto “Més que un club” means just that to many fans, more than a club.

Barcelona is considered one of the greatest clubs in the world but not only for their titles and victories. FC Barcelona is a club of values. Many values are instilled in the players at a young age. Many of the players playing in Barcelona are homegrown players, those who have been playing for FC Barcelona their whole life. Barcelona has a youth academy called La Masia where education is taken very seriously. Boys are admitted at a young age where they not only practice and play football but they also attend school. La Masia takes education very seriously because they know that most players admitted to La Masia do not make it to Barça. They want those who do not make it to be able to go on and do something else with their life, sometimes it’s things that do not relate to football.  It was started by one of the best players to have played for FC Barcelona, Johan Cruyff. The majority of the players currently playing for FC Barcelona went through La Masia.

As Francisco Franco came into power, the Catalans suffered greatly under his rule. He preferred current rival team Real Madrid and they were even referred to as “Franco’s white army.” He banned the use of Catalan and often times used to his power to help Real Madrid achieve their goals. Many FC Barcelona fans are proud of the team because even through the hardships they have had to overcome they have still become one of the most successful clubs, teaching fans that even when the world is against one, one has to keep fighting. To this day the Clásico, the match between FC Barcelona’s biggest rival Real Madrid, is one of the most important matches in the world. It is not just two teams playing a game; it represents the hardships the Catalans had to suffer. It is a game to let everyone know, that even after everything FC Barcelona has been through they are still here and they are still strong.

Credit to http://azul-grana.tumblr.com

FC Barcelona has become a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. During the minute 17:14 of each half many fans, Catalan or not, start yelling “Independencia!” At a Barça game, it is not uncommon to see people with the independence flag. When FC Barcelona plays, it is not just representing great football, it represents the many Catalans who suffered. It represents the current Catalans that have certain problems with identity, that they feel more Catalan than Spanish. It represents the discrimination many Catalans still suffer and the many other fans that even though they are not Catalan they believe in justice.

The hardships Barça has had to overcome are not all relating to the banning of their language and the discrimination. A couple years ago one of Barcelona’s player Eric Abidal was diagnosed with a tumor in his liver. He underwent surgery just a few days later. Just when it was thought that he had beaten it, it came back once again. The club announced that Abidal would have to undergo a liver transplant. His cousin was the donor and in April of 2012 Abidal underwent surgery. On April 6, 2013, 406 days later, Abidal was finally able to play again against Mallorca in a 5-0 home win. Mallorca was not the only defeated that day. Barcelona’s coach Tito Vilanova was also diagnosed with cancer in 2011. It was thought that he had beaten it but in December of 2012 the club announced that Vilanova was suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time. He too underwent surgery once again and during the Mallorca game Tito Vilanova made his return.  Barcelona did not just win that game 5-0 they also beat cancer 4-0. If one asks any Barcelona fan, they will say that the victory does not matter what matters is the health of the players. Tito Vilanova told Abidal something that applies to most of the Barça fans, “Your fight is our strength.” And it is.

Although Barcelona has won their fair share of trophies and championships, every fan knows that is not what makes the club one of the greatest. Barcelona has won many trophies from the Champion’s League to the FIFA Club World Cup. Championships are not always the most important. What makes the team great are the values instilled in the players, to play fair, to be determined and to never give up.

Més Que Un Club

It’s been more than two weeks since I first arrived to Barcelona but it seems like a lot longer. So much has happened since I stepped off that airplane.  The first few days are a blur; I barely remember the airport, or the day I arrived here. I´m still trying to get used to it all, the culture, the language, the city in general. When I first arrived, I felt so out of place, like I didn’t belong here but each day that goes by convinces me that this is where I belong.  I can definitely see myself living here for the rest of my life, maybe not now but later. Who knows?  I’m so in love with the city and everything it has to offer. Barcelona is the home of greatest team, and as a big Barça fan, I am where I need to be. Since I’ve been here I’ve attended every home game. Each time I step foot into the stadium it takes my breath away; I don’t think anything I see here can top Camp Nou. It looks even better when it’s filled with people chanting “Barça!” Gives you the chills. I will not get tired of repeating how much the people get into the game. Soccer here is not just a sport. And to many, Barça is not just a club. Barça is a way of life, an inspiration, a reminder to keep fighting and to never give up. Barça is ‘més que un club.’