-Com li va vida? Què fa ara?
Em vaig retirar la temporada passada. He passat per la Kings League i ara sóc president d’un club a Elx, el CDLas Bayas.
-Quin record té d’aquell dia. A Montilivi estava tot punt per celebrar l’ascens?
Hi havia un ambient festiu. El Girona s’hi jugava l’ascens i veia que ens guanyaria perquè no ens hi jugàvem res. Això és esport i als futbolistes no ens agrada perdre. Vam empatar i va ser una desil·lusió tremenda per ells. Llavors va ser tot caòtic, amb la suspensió i la represa. Érem professionals i vam fer el que tocava.
-Va fer diverses aturades de mèrit fins i tot una amb la cara a Mata.
El porter ha de parar. Sentia que la gent em deia que em deixés fer gol…Realment era un partit difícil per nosaltres perquè havíem de sortir a guanyar en un escenari festiu.
-Com veia els jugadors del Girona a la segona part?
Feia molta calor. Estaven cansats i sobretot angoixats. Nosaltres arribàvem poc, però en alguna acció aïllada podíem crear perill. I així va ser.
-Com va viure la interrupció pel cop d’ampolla, la represa i el tancament al vestidor?
Una mica estrany tot plegat. Fins i tot van anul·lar un gol al Girona per fora de joc en l’afegit. Al final del partit, la policia ens va tenir dues hores al vestidor visitant per seguretat. Va ser tot convuls i caòtic. Són anècdotes.
-Va arribar a passar por?
Por no, preocupació, sí perquè no se sap mai què pot passar.
-Es va parlar molt que havien rebut un incentiu de l’Sporting per puntuar a Montilivi. Què me’n pot dir?
Doncs que és tot fals. Vam venir a jugar i a deixar l’escut del ben amunt. No vam veure cap duro de extra de ningú.
-Li va saber greu veure jugadors del Girona per terra plorant?
Havia jugat amb Sandaza l’any abans. Em va quedar la tristor de veure’ls enfonsats. Ho tenien a la mà i se’ls va escapar a casa i amb tot preparat per celebrar-ho. Pensava que algun dia em podia passar a mi també.
-Llavors el Girona era un club petit de Segona. Aquell dia, al final del partit, s’hauria imaginat mai que acabaria pujant i arribant la Champions?
Aquella malastrugança d’aquell dia els va acompanyar un temps, però després van poder pujar dues vegades i jugar la Champions League. Es mereixen pujar i tot el que els ha vingut després. Han fet les coses molt bé. Al final, el futbol et torna el que li dónes i el Girona, després de tantes patacades, havia de pujar d’una manera o altra.
The day GironaS Champions League Dream Began: A look Back at a Controversial Match
-What is your life like now? What are you doing?
I retired last season. I’ve been thru the Kings League and now I’m the president of a club in Elche, CDLas Bayas.
-What do you remember about that day? Was everything in Montilivi ready to celebrate promotion?
There was a festive atmosphere. Girona was playing for promotion and saw that they would beat us as we had nothing to play for. That’s sport and we footballers don’t like to lose. We drew and it was a tremendous disappointment for them. Then it was all chaotic, with the suspension and the restart. We were professionals and we did what we had to do.
-You made several merit stops, even one with your face against Mata.
The goalkeeper has to stop. I felt the people telling me to let them score… It was a very challenging game for us as we went out to win in a festive setting.
-How did you see the Girona players in the second half?
It was very hot. They were tired and, above all, anxious. We didn’t get much, but in some isolated action we could create danger. And so it was.
-How did you experience the interruption by the bottle, the restart and the closure in the locker room?
A little strange. They even disallowed a goal for Girona due to offside in stoppage time. at the end of the match, the police kept us in the visiting locker room for two hours for security reasons. It was all convulsive and chaotic. They are anecdotes.
-did you get scared?
Scared no,worried yes as you never know what might happen.
-There was a lot of talk that you had received an incentive from Sporting to score points in Montilivi. What can you tell me about it?
Well, that’s all false. We came to play and to leave the team’s crest at the top. We didn’t see any extra money from anyone.
-Were you sad to see Girona players on the ground crying?
I had played with Sandaza the year before.I felt the sadness of seeing them devastated. They had it in their hands and it escaped them at home and with everything prepared to celebrate it. I thought that one day it could happen to me too.
-At that time Girona was a small club in the Second Division. That day,at the end of the match,would you ever have imagined that they would end up going up and reaching the champions League?
That misfortune of that day accompanied them for a while,but then they were able to go up twice and play the champions League. They deserve to go up and everything that has come to them afterwards. They have done things very well. football gives you back what you give it and Girona, after so manny blows, had to go up one way or another.
Table: Girona’s Ascent – Key Milestones
| Event | Year | League | Significance |
| ———————————– | —- | —————- | ————————————————————————————— |
| Match vs. X (mention opponent name) | 2013 | Segunda División | Girona needed a victory to secure promotion |
| The Infamous Draw | 2013 | Segunda División | Girona lost promotion due to not winning |
| Promotion to La Liga | 2017 | La liga | First-ever promotion to the top flight. |
| First La Liga season | 2017-2018 | La Liga | Girona achieved a respectable position, showcasing potential |
| Return to La liga | 2022 | La Liga | Another return to Spanish top flight |
| champions League Qualification | 2024 | La Liga | Historic achievement, marking European debut |
* Note: This table provides a concise overview of Girona’s journey, emphasizing the context of the interview while highlighting key moments and facts related to their eventual success.
FAQ: Girona’s Champions League Journey
This section answers reader questions, optimizing for search engines with relevant keywords and detailed responses.
Q1: What was the significance of the match against [opponent Name – Insert Actual Opponent Here] mentioned in the interview?
A1: the match against [opponent Name – Insert Actual Opponent Here] in the 2012-2013 season was crucial for Girona. A victory would have secured their promotion to La Liga. The draw,however,dashed their hopes and is remembered as a moment of great disappointment that sparked the beginning of their long journey. This game, with the chaos that it caused during the match, is frequently enough cited as a turning point, making the draw today so special to the club.
Q2: How did Girona ultimately reach the Champions league?
A2: Girona’s journey to the Champions League was built on resilience and strategic growth. After facing disappointment in the 2012-13 season, girona went on to be promoted to La Liga in 2017, after this initial rise into the top flight, they were relegated, only to return again and continue to build year after year on the work and foundation that was laid. A combination of tactical improvements, effective management, and dedicated player progress eventually led to their historic qualification for the Champions League in the spring of 2024.
Q3: What challenges did Girona face on their path to the top?
A3: Girona faced several challenges, including financial constraints, competition from established La Liga teams, and the pressure to consistently perform. These challenges were navigated through smart signings, a strong team spirit, and the ability to adapt and evolve their tactics.
Q4: What is the significance of the interview with the opposing goalkeeper?
A4: The opposing goalkeeper’s viewpoint provides a critical look into the match that was filled with controversy, emotion, and chaos. His insights underline the competitive nature of the game and the pressures the teams face. The interview also highlighted the potential rumors of outside interference and the goalkeeper cleared up the false rumors that took place.
Q5: How does the Girona story inspire football fans?
A5: The Girona story inspires football fans as it is indeed a true Cinderella story that displays perseverance and the possibility to overcome adversity. Their climb from the segunda division to the Champions League demonstrates that dreams can come true with dedication, resilience, and unwavering belief. Its a testament to the power of sport to provide hope and excitement.
