2023-06-26 06:30:57
In his fourth year away from Montilivi and his first outside of Spain, Pere Pons has played 39 games, scoring four goals and providing two assists. The one from Sant Martí Vell doesn’t lose his class and the fans of Girona still remember him as a key piece in the promotion to the First Division. So much so, in fact, that he has a Penya and, yesterday, a hundred of its members met with him to celebrate the season and honor those who played 214 games in the Girona shirt.
-Totally an honor!
Many people have come and I am very grateful to them, because they are the people who have seen me grow up, the people from here, from the surrounding towns, family, friends and climbers, also from the Girona Climbing Federation. It is appreciated that they remember me and to see the excitement of the children is very cute.
-How is the meeting going?
We have a very good relationship with Raimon and Carlos, who run La Penya, and we’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time, but it’s always difficult. They proposed it to me this year and I thought that with so little margin it would cost, but the other way around.
-Why did you sign for AEK Larnaca last summer?
It was strange because my intention was not to go abroad. I had options in Segona, but due to the salary limit they could not sign me. Everything was very fast and in the last weeks of the market they told me that you are thinking of leaving. There were offers from exotic countries, a lot of money, but AEK called, with a lot of players and a Spanish coach (José Luís Oltra), and a Catalan sports director (Xavi Roca). In addition, they had qualified for the Europa League.
-How is football in Cyprus?
It shocks because it is far and the league maybe a little lower, but I was positively surprised. It is true that the difference between the players of the top and bottom teams is noticeable, as well as the infrastructure. In this sense, in Larnaca we are one of the best, with good training fields and changing rooms and the grass always taken care of. This year has gone very well and I hope we continue in this line.
-Individually, he has also signed a very good course…
I’ve had a great time and I’ve had no injuries, but this has coincided with a great collective season, fighting to the end for the league. I have played against great opponents in the Europa League, which I had never done before, and in the Conference, and I am very happy with what I have found.
-Also in the way of living?
When I went there I had doubts, but in the end very good. The people are nice and I’m learning a new culture. The weather is good, sunny and summer almost all year round, and even though there are more tourists now, I’m very comfortable in Cyprus.
-How is the football fan there?
It is growing. The most historic ones, like Apoel and Omonia, put fifteen or twenty thousand people in the stadium. For the majority, who are smaller, it is more difficult for us. We usually have five thousand fans cheering. The good thing about there is that since the journeys are at most two hours, people come a lot and when we play outside we have a very loyal group accompanying us. Also, playing in Europe made people excited.
-Girona stayed at the gates, were they able to follow him?
I watch it whenever I can. This year I really enjoyed seeing the style of play they propose. The season has been spectacular and the fans have been very attached to it. I’m really happy for them and I hope they keep the line up.
-What do you think is different about your time in Primera?
The team has been strengthened with very talented young players, which it is true can go wrong, but it has not been the case. The coaching staff is very good and the signings, also the contrasted ones, have given a very high performance, and this is a style of play that can be costly. It is very colorful, but it is difficult to adapt to it.
-Would you like to play under Míchel?
Of course. I have friends and former colleagues there who speak highly of it. I would like to be with Míchel and I would like to return to Girona, but now I am happy in Cyprus and eager to continue enjoying football.
-He has one more year on his contract…
And in principle I will fulfill it. Yes, an option has come up for me in Segona de España and I will value it a lot, but I have to see what happens. It’s all summer. On the one hand I would like to return to be closer to the family, on the other I am very comfortable and we play in Europe. It’s all options.
-He experienced all the levels of the Girona base, what do you think of the growth in recent years?
They have been doing great work in the shadows for a long time, even without the resources of now. It used to be more talent from the region and now it is being taken from everywhere. It’s becoming very professional and I’m glad about it. When I joined Alevins it was at Devesa, a dirt field, then we went to Torres de Palau, in barracks… There weren’t the best facilities or conditions for the coaches. Now there are very good nannies and they are also being mentally prepared for elite football. It must continue like this, so that they feel the Girona Pride.
Pereponsism is found in Sant Joan de Mollet
#Pere #Pons #return #Girona