Soccer Sunday!

On Sunday April 1st, a group of the students, Professor Shannon, Professor Goldstein and I, joined the passionate Salamantino soccer fans as they flocked to cheer on home team Union Deportiva de Salamanca at their stadium, Estadio Helmantico.  Like true Salamantinos, most of the students showed their support for our local team, wearing white and black to match the players.  The opposing team for the afternoon was Osasuna B, from Pamplona, who were only one place below Salamanca in the League table, but tied in terms of points.  Needless to say it was set to be a competitive game.

There was a great atmosphere at the stadium.   We were fortunate enough to have seats just behind the southern goal, which is just where all the Salamanca fans sit.  They were all very vocal with even the elderly shouting out words of encouragement to the players, and criticism to Osasuna B!  Towards the back, we could see all the peñas, local social groups, who'd brought flags, banners emblazened with the team's logo and the obligatory black and white, and drums, which they used to accompany their lively chants to cheer the team on.  It was fantastic to see the students getting involved, with some even trying to come up with their own chants!

Salamanca played a great game, having control of the ball throughout much of the game.  The Osasuna B players put up a great defence however, resulting in a fairly even performance from the two opposing sides.  We were all sat on the edge of our seats as the Salamanca players aimed and tried to score, but after a few near misses and a couple of penalty kicks, the match ended with a score of 0-0, with neither team managing to outwit their opponents.

In spite of the rainy weather, the students really enjoyed seeing Union Deportiva play, with several describing the experience as "awesome"!  The only complaint that could be heard was that "we didn't win!"  Maybe next time Union Deportiva will be a little luckier!

Have a good week!
Sian

Thanks to Natasha Gill and Lorena Campillo for the photos!