Stormy Mestalla

Our last night in Valencia was with 45,000 others at the home of Valencia C.F. (3rd in La Liga) for the visit of R.C.D. Espanyol (6th). After exploring the old town we took our seats on the steepest and highest seating I think I’ve ever sat in. We both felt weird being so high up. Espanyol’s kit was assessed as ‘the worst kit I’ve ever seen’ by Lesley. The salmon or possibly pink strip with dark blue hoops was indeed shocking. They did better at the football, quickly equalising after an early-headed goal by Valencia. They also hit the post & crocked Valencia’s main striker David Villa who limped off after 15mins following a heavy challenge. Half time 1-1 & entertainment was provided by a 100 strong brass band that stopped at various points round the pitch to be warmly applauded by the home fans. The other sport of the night was making paper airplanes from the free (yes free!) match programmes and seeing who could send their effort high into the night sky and get it furthest down the pitch (we were above the north goal) everyone was highly entertained by watching origami at it’s best. Several must have been piloted by kamikaze paper pilots who dive-bombed into the tiers below, only a few actually making the pitch. Big cheers went up for the best efforts that actually cleared the six yard box and javelined into the turf. Some of these cheers were a bit choked as of course this being Spanish football and the Saturday night kick-off being 10pm, mouths were full from bocadillo’s brought in aluminium foil that were miraculously produced by all on the half-time whistle.
In the second half Espanyol scored a break away goal beneath us with 10 minutes to go and the 30 away fans even higher up to our left went wild. The aficionado in blue and white matador striped outfit (home kit colours) with flag and beret looked particularly happy. Valencia in truth were pretty poor in attack without Villa and despite frantic attempts from Morientes and others they never looked like scoring – ‘tormenta de mestalla’ said Marca. The fans were pretty miffed but streamed out with a song. Valladolid (our next possible match) had better watch out, if we come see you play (versus Athletic Bilbao on the 21st Oct) you may struggle at home, we are 2 from 2 so far.
Hasta Luego.