Ampo Ordizia: The dream of the Cup final passes through the house

Erlantz Garmendia (Ordizia, 20 years old), Alain Araña (Ordizia, 21 years old), Lander Mujika (Ordizia, 23 years old) and Ander Alberdi (Beasain, 25 years old) are the present and the future of Ampo Ordizia. An Ampo Ordizia that will play tomorrow, starting at 4:00 p.m. in Altamira, the semifinal of the Copa del Rey rugby and in which the new blood of Goierri will be essential. As the commercial for a car brand from 1995 said, when the four protagonists had not yet been born, young but amply prepared.

The Ordizia academy is bearing fruit and tomorrow they hope to pass the tie and stand in the grand final. They are aware that they are facing the most important match played in their still short career as players. «I have played two important games, like the League semifinal in Alcobendas around four years ago and another similar game in Valladolid, against El Salvador, in which I barely played. As this one can say that none »says Ander Alberdi, the most ‘veteran’ of the four.

For Lander Mujika “it is essential to play vital matches at home. In the Altamira games we are another team. The public gives us a lot of strength and playing these types of games at home makes them more special.

Altamira is still a fort in which no victory has escaped. Alain Araña is clear that the support of the fans is and will be fundamental in tomorrow’s semifinal. “We have had good dynamics for two years as locals. We are excited knowing what the prize is to win a semifinal. We are also aware that the team in front of us will arrive with the same enthusiasm. Hopefully the push of the fans will give us that extra to reach the Cup final.

SilverStorm El Salvador is one of the most complicated rivals in the current season. Erlantz Garmendia recognizes the difficulty of facing them, but he is optimistic. «The two teams from Valladolid have been the two teams with the best results for many years. In addition, they are leaders in the League and it will be for a reason. A few weeks ago they beat us well at home, but I think tomorrow’s game is different. To begin with, it is a single game, at home, independent of the League. In addition, many of the player casualties that we have been dragging have been recovered.

“The Complete Squad”

The best news of the last week is that Iñigo Marotias will be able to count on all the players in the squad. Ander Alberdi confirms it. “We are all available. There is only one question.”

The heeler from Besaindarra believes that the match on March 5 can serve as an apprenticeship. “It is a team that plays very fast behind and has big and strong people up front. If you go back to defend they take advantage of their opportunity. Their attacks are very fast and you have to be prepared to stop them.

Last week the youngsters suffered a loss at home, but Mujika doesn’t think that affects them. “They have their eyes fixed on the next game, without looking back, and even more so being a Cup semifinal.”

This year, on April 22, it will be ten years since the first Cup title in Palencia, precisely against the same opponent as tomorrow, and nine years since the second title, against VRAC, in Santander on May 5. The four protagonists lived it as part of the quarry in a different way. “We were youngsters,” remembers Spider. “We all went and it was a party.” Although Erlantz Garmendia sees the possibility of history repeating itself still far away. “First we have to win tomorrow’s game. Going little by little is essential.”