Oriented on making people closer

Georgiy ASLANYAN

ORIENT in collaboration with LaLiga starts to acquaint readers with the participants of the Spanish championship. The first is Getafe CF.

The Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Pérez: “Where giants tremble”.

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The story of David versus Goliath is often used in a footballing context whenever a minor team comes to face one of the league’s historic greats.

Getafe CF have indeed been a “David” for many years, confronting the leading lights of LaLiga. The pride and glory of the 170,000-strong city spent many years living in the shadow of the other teams from the autonomous community of Madrid, before bursting onto the scene in LaLiga in 2004 to become one of the staples of the Spanish top flight.

In football, there are few feelings comparable to beating one of the big teams, and if there is a side that’s expert at such an achievement it is Getafe. Many attribute the mystery of their bravery and resilience Azulones to their stadium.

The Coliseum Alfonso Perez, a venue that the “big” teams increasingly dread to tread with each passing season.

Located in the north of Getafe and with a capacity of little more than 17,000, this ground has experienced some of the most exciting moments in recent Spanish football history.

The night of 10th May 2007 will long live in the memory, when not even Lionel Messi goal in the first leg of the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, won 5-2 by Barcelona, could eclipse what came in the second leg. In this game Getafe mounted Blaugranas an incredible comeback, winning 4-0, which saw them reach their first-ever Copa del Rey final.

That Getafe side became known as real giant-killers and went on to be within touching distance of an even bigger upset against one of the biggest teams in Europe.

In April 2008, Getafe experienced one of the greatest nights in the history of the club, which also turned out to be one of its most heart breaking.

After drawing 1-1 away at Bayern Munich in the first leg at Allianz Arena, now back at the Coliseum Getafe managed to ride the storm that resulted from Ruben de la Red receiving a red card in the 8’ minute to reach the end of the 90 minutes level 1-1 with the German giants. The home side then went into a 3-1 lead in extra time, yet Bayern scored twice through a Luca Toni double in the last five minutes, to send Bayern through on away goals.

Legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn later said that in his entire career he had never felt anything like the atmosphere that night in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.

This series of matches won the hearts of Spanish and European football fans who recognized the courage and commitment that the team show in every game they play.

The Coliseum Alfonso Perez has become a ground to be feared by all other teams with each passing season. And that’s because there’s nothing quite comparable to being small and reaching greatness.