Bordils Handball: the Enduring Legacy of Two Local Legends

For anyone who’s ever stepped inside the Pavelló Blanc i Verd (White and Green Pavilion), the names Eduard Mitjà and Ernest Céspedes resonate deeply. Affectionately known as Dardo and Nesto, these two figures are more than just faces in the crowd; they’re living embodiments of the Club Handbol Bordils spirit. Think of them as the small-town handball equivalent of a legendary green bay Packers duo,deeply intertwined with the team’s identity.

“I was born with the connection already made,” proudly states Mitjà. His father was a founding member of the club, established in 1961, though handball had been played in the town even before then. “I’ve been part of the club my whole life. From the beginning, and surely until the end,” admits Mitjà, who has served as a young winger, coach, president, and currently as the court delegate for all three senior teams. All this, of course, selflessly. it’s a commitment reminiscent of a dedicated high school coach in Texas,pouring their heart and soul into the local team year after year.

Céspedes chimes in, “I was tricked into it! They told me they needed people on the board because the kids needed to play. I didn’t even know what handball was. Dardo was the president then. And look at us, we’re still together.”

Their story isn’t just about handball; it’s about community, dedication, and the unwavering spirit of small-town sports. It’s the kind of story that reminds us of the unsung heroes who keep local sports alive, from the volunteer coaches to the parents running the concession stands.

“I don’t regret anything, anything at all. I’ve gained much more than I’ve lost here. And I’ve done so manny things that I think I’ve done it all. Well, not as president,” Céspedes confesses. Mitjà, laughing, retorts, “It’s not over yet, eh!” Nesto replies, “Forget it, that’s not my job.” they estimate they met in the 1980s but can’t pinpoint an exact date. What they do know is that they’ve had a blast. “We’ve had fun like two kids,” they answer in unison. Besides all the positions they’ve held at the club, the most emotional is having run the bar together for about a decade, every weekend included, with few exceptions. Céspedes,who was also a delegate and involved in volleyball,spent almost twenty years there.

During the eight years that Bordils competed in Plata (Silver League), both were part of the board. “It was a miracle. That we’re a town of 1,700 inhabitants! And there we were, giving it our all. Working more hours than a clock. But I would do them again. All of them. Right, kid?” Céspedes asks his adventure partner, who doesn’t hesitate in his response. “you bet I would.” Their camaraderie is enviable. “We would arrive first thing in the morning on Saturday and sunday, grab the bucket and mop, and clean the stands, so they would be ready for the whole day. Then, to the locker rooms. We left everything spotless.”

The conversation takes place, precisely, in the stands of the pavilion. Neither of them is used to occupying this space. “I’ve only sat in the box once, when I was president and because they forced me to. For the 25th anniversary,on the old court,playing against Granollers.I’ve never liked it, honestly,” mitjà recalls. “Me neither. We’re from that corner,” Nesto assures. And he points to it. The corner of the White and Green Pavilion. Where a couple of stools stand against the wall, one of them belonging to Céspedes. There, with the warmth of their people, near the bar, is where they want to be.

“That corner is magical. We go there with the gang. What more do we want?” he adds. “That guy who left Barça, what’s his name?” Dardo ponders. “Yeah, the little one. Who said that playing winger next to the bar was a crime. Because there was a smell of bacon…” “We had a grill and we made wonders. Bacon, frankfurters, pork loin, sausages. We wrote it on a chalkboard and people started ordering. And when it ran out, off to the butcher shop. like when the bread ran out. We would take the car, whatever time it was, and head to the bakery, to get 80 loaves,” Céspedes points out, who was the one who cooked the most of the two. And what about the *cigalons* (coffee with a shot of liquor)? “Whoever wanted one, we told them it couldn’t be, that it wasn’t allowed. But in return, we hid in the kitchen and prepared a surprise coffee for them.” “Nothing,just four drops. For a cold or to wake someone up,” Mitjà jokes, who suddenly remembers the name he couldn’t find. “Víctor Tomás! Now it’s come to me. He said it was a crime to play there,with that smell,” he repeats.

They’ve seen a lot, the protagonists. “I had an R9 and had gone to Olot with eight guys inside. Now,you try that,and when you leave the traffic light,you have the police waiting for you as the parents themselves have reported you,” he elaborates. “I loaded them all into the work van. My boss never knew,” Céspedes points out. They had arrived at the pavilion and found players sleeping off a hangover after a long night or had done a parade after the first final lost to ascend to Plata to raise the morale of the group, where Nesto dressed up as a mascot. “The players’ faces changed when they saw him. They were sad and ended up bursting out laughing. In fact, I dare say that it was more festive than when we actually went up a category,” Dardo assesses, who wishes that the club continues to move forward and overcome all the setbacks that appear over time. “Bordils must continue to live, no matter what.”

“In an interview they did with me many years ago,” Céspedes states, “I said that the boys and girls of Bordils are born with the ball in their hand. If you come to any game, halfway through you’ll see them jump in to play. The day I saw it, shortly after landing, I felt it that way. And over time I realized it. The kids wait for the slightest chance to jump onto the court. That’s Bordils, and it can’t be lost.” “And another of the pillars of having made it possible is that once you enter, you stay. When you finish as a player, you coach, you join the board, or you look for the role that best suits what you can do. We all transmit our knowledge and feeling to the generations that grow up. We do it as we feel it’s ours, because we love it,” Mitjà concludes.

Further Investigation

For U.S. sports fans, the Bordils handball story offers a compelling look at the dedication and community spirit that fuels sports at all levels. Here are some potential areas for further investigation:

• The Role of Small-Town Sports in Community Building: How do sports teams like Bordils Handball contribute to the social fabric of small towns, both in the U.S. and abroad?
• The Economics of Local Sports: What are the financial challenges faced by small sports clubs, and how do they overcome them?
• The Impact of Volunteers: How much do volunteers contribute to the success of local sports organizations, and what motivates them to give their time and energy?

Bordils handball: By the Numbers

to further illuminate the impact of Eduard Mitjà and Ernest Céspedes on Club Handbol Bordils, let’s examine a snapshot of their remarkable contributions:

Key Contributions of Mitjà and Céspedes

| Data Point | Eduard Mitjà (Dardo) | Ernest Céspedes (Nesto) | Combined Impact |

| :—————————— | :———————————– | :———————————– | :——————————————————————————————————————————————— |

| Years of Service | Lifetime (since 1961) | 3+ decades | Shaping the evolution of Club Handbol bordils and providing continuity, commitment and a shared passion. |

| Roles Held | Player, Coach, President, delegate | Board Member, Delegate | Diverse skillsets; essential to all aspects of the club. |

| Years Running the Bar | ~10 Years | ~10 Years | Created welcoming atmosphere for players, fans and the community. |

| Bordils’ Plata League Tenure | Yes | Yes | instrumental during a pivotal period, overachieved despite limited resources. |

| Memorable Anecdote | Transporting players in work van | Dressing up as a mascot | Unbreakable bond,making handball a way of life in Bordils.|

Note: Data represents approximate values based on available data.

FAQ: Frequently asked Questions about Bordils Handball

To provide thorough information, here are answers to potential questions about this remarkable handball club:

Q: What is Club Handbol Bordils?

A: Club Handbol Bordils is a handball club located in Bordils, a small town near Girona, Spain. It represents the spirit of community handball, known for its long history and the dedication of its members.

Q: Who are Eduard Mitjà and Ernest Céspedes?

A: Eduard mitjà, nicknamed “Dardo,” and Ernest Céspedes, nicknamed “nesto,” are two iconic figures deeply involved with Club Handbol Bordils for decades. They have held various roles, from players and coaches to board members and volunteers, helping to shape the club.

Q: What is Handball Plata League?

A: The Liga plata (Silver League) is the second tier of professional handball competition in Spain. The league showcases high-quality handball at a competitive level. Border played in the Plata League, overcoming the odds to compete with much larger teams.

Q: How did Mitjà and Céspedes contribute to the club’s success?

A: Their contributions are multi-faceted.Mitjà and Céspedes have dedicated their lives to the club. Their dedication and efforts extended to ensuring facilities were ready for the events. They fostered a sense of community, ensuring the club thrived through volunteer efforts and passion.

Q: How does Club Handbol Bordils reflect the spirit of small-town sports?

A: Club Handbol Bordils exemplifies classic small-town sports values.It is a club largely built on the commitment of volunteers, community support, and a shared love of the game. It’s about the unsung heroes who keep sports alive.

Q: Where can I learn more about handball?

A: There are many resources available online.Search for the International Handball Federation (IHF) for information. You can visit their official website to understand the rules, history, and governing bodies that oversee handball. The EHF (European Handball Federation) is also a good source of information.

Q: How can someone become involved in handball?

A: Explore local handball clubs near you. Check if there are local clubs or leagues that have youth or adult programs. Many clubs welcome new players of all levels.

Q: What makes Bordils handball unique?

A: bordils’ uniqueness lies in its enduring legacy. The small town, in its population, has created a team with a very visible commitment from its members. Mitjà and Céspedes are living proof of enduring service and dedication, symbolizing community commitment.

Q: What is the significance of the bar at the Pavelló Blanc i Verd?

A: The bar symbolizes the club’s community spirit, providing a welcoming space for players, fans, and supporters to connect. Mitjà and Céspedes ran the bar for many years, helping to create a strong community atmosphere.

Q: How does the Bordils handball experience compare with the handball culture in the United States?

A: While handball has a growing presence in the United States, it’s less established than in Europe, where it enjoys more widespread popularity. The Bordils story highlights the intense community focus and volunteer spirit often seen in European sports clubs, a model worth considering for US handball’s progress.