Three journalists from EL PERIÓDICO recall their first memories in the three parakeet stadiums
the stadium of Sarria hosted unforgettable nights of Espanyol, who played there for 74 years. The traumatic demolition of 1997 gave way to a rental stage in Montjuïc, an uncomfortable enclosure and little popular support but positive in the sporting balance. After 12 years, the parakeet club recovered its own home with the premiere of the brand new RCDE Stadium of Cornellà-El Prat, in which it has played its matches since 2009. A house at the height of the greatness of a club that represents like no other the strength of a feeling Here we collect the reflection of three blue and white partnersjournalists from EL PERIÓDICO who connected with the parakeet passion in the three homes of Espanyol.
Ernest Alós: “I remember the stinky smell of the urinals”
Time passes and suddenly you are the only parakeet in the newsroom what has stepped on Sarria. So you must delve into memory… and mine is fish. I only recover scattered images from my childhood card times.
I remember when they played with yellow balls. I remember going up the stairs to the general of the south goal. I remember that I did not understand why the grandstand above the presidential box did not have a visor or shiny blue and white seats and the one in front did. I remember the stinking smell of stale urine of the urinals. I remember that the grass in the goal areas was destroyed and that it suffered from the knees of the goalkeepers.
I remember that my father made sure that we arrived on time to see something, in the front row, leaning on a railing. That, being a futsal referee, yelling or insulting the man in black was unimaginable. That we children stopped going and that he emigrated to the north goal to avoid the company of the brigades. That the reaction after the demolition of Sarrià was to reactivate cards to go up to Montjuïc.
I do not remember plays or memorable matches except, later, the UEFA semi-final against Bruges in 1988. Yes players. Those who marked: Caszeli and Maranon. Those with a distinctive physique: sideburns Ortiz Aquino, the lanky Roberto Martinez; De Felipe y Custers for their whiskers. And above all my idol, Daniel Solsona. That she had curly hair like mine. And I remember the relief when, although she did leave us, it was at least to go to the Valencia and not where it would have hurt us the most.
Jose Real: “Coro’s goal was the most intense moment of my life”
After 74 years in which it has been, is and will be the true home for many, we parrots face a long 13 year exile on the magic mountain: in the olympic stadium of Montjüic. A true pilgrimage for some but at the same time a wonderful time for others. For the ‘young millennials’ it was where we discovered our love and our passion by the Spanish
The majority of blue and white fans are by family tradition. It’s not my case. So I will never forget March 13, 2002: the first time I entered the stadium thanks to a friend of my father’s. The first time I saw a professional game. That 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao with goals from Ricardo Cavas and Quique de Lucas, that explosion of joy in the stands. An adrenaline rush for a 10 year old boy who was absolutely captivated by a unique and special club, unlike any other.
And it couldn’t be any other way when the most intense moment of my life hasn’t been the cups won or the mythical UEFA semifinal against Werder Bremen but the goal of corominas against Real Sociedad that freed us from the hell of the Second Division. I have never seen so much fidelity and passion in bad times. How not to get hooked on this club.
Judit Bertran: “I want Cornellà to go back to being the pressure cooker of the early years”
At just 9 years old, the emblematic farewell match at Montjuïc was engraved in my memory: a Tamudo hat trick, our clean sheet and a parakeet euphoria from minute one. At the time, he had little idea of exactly what the rules of football were, but spending time with my father and my grandfather on Sunday afternoons it became an essential date.
Shortly after, in the summer of 2009, we went to Cornellà, a totally different and innovative stadium that conveyed a very clear message: “We are going home”. It was there that I went from not knowing anything to becoming more and more fond of Espanyol and, whether we won or lost, emotion and ‘la força d’un sentiment’ mixed together, achieving the perfect ‘combo’ to end the weekend.
We have seen few milestones in Cornellà compared to Sarrià or Montjuïc, but in the 12 years that I have been a member I have been able to experience the arrival of players who quickly earned my admiration as Osvaldo o Darderthe withdrawal of ivan de la pena and even the great loss of Dani Jarque, who continues to star in the 21st minute of each home game. And although we are not at our best right now, I hope that the stadium will become that way again. pressure cooker which was for the first three years.