Copa del Rey: From the only colchonero in deep Catalonia to the forward who moved to Norway to be a professional: the modest Vic, Atlético’s rival in the Cup

In 2008, the day after Barça scored six goals against Atlético at the Camp Nou, a boy showed up at his school in Vic wearing his team’s shirt. He was not a Barça player and it did not read on his back Messi, Eto’o o Henry; It was red and white, on the back it appeared Omen and you can imagine the ridicule. “It didn’t matter to me, whether Atlético won or lost, I wore the shirt,” he explains. Kevin Fernandezcoordinator of Unió Esportiva Vic and surely the only colchonero from Vic, who this Thursday will enjoy an award for a lifetime of solitary passion

In the first round of the Copa del Rey, the team from his town, Vic, from the Catalan Elite League, the Spanish sixth division, against the team of his loves, Atlético (7:00 p.m., TDP). “It’s the game of my life, with a photo with Cholo I will be happy forever,” acknowledges who reveals a curiosity: the online tickets for the game have been sold from a computer with the Atlético shield.

«I have been a non-subscribing member for seven years. When I was little I really liked Fernando Torres and thanks to him I started to follow Atleti, to get this feeling. Then there came a time when I wouldn’t sleep if the team lost, on every birthday they gave me t-shirts… Now I go to Wanda four or five times each season,” says Fernández, who was a Vic player, Vic coach and is now his coordinator. If you have to decide between Atlético and Vic, it’s better not to answer.

“Many ask me which team I will support, but it is a game to enjoy, it is the most important game in Vic’s history,” proclaims the coordinator who assures that everything will work. The field, the Estadi Hipòlit Planàs, will fill up to extra stands for a capacity of more than 7,000 people and the artificial grass is impeccable, installed only three years ago. Tickets have been sold for 35, 50 and 75 euros, many of which to the players themselves.

Diaby’s dream

«Each player could buy 12, but I got 18. Paying, huh. And I’m still waiting to see if I can get more for some friends who come from France,” he says. Seidou DiabyVic forward, who repeats a phrase from the coordinator, Fernández: “It’s the game of my life.” «I know it can be my time. I’m 27 years old, but a lot of people will see me against Atlético, it will be a great opportunity,” explains the goalscorer from a Senegalese family who still dreams. What if you can still be professional? Raised in his city club, Mataró, since he was a child he wanted to dedicate himself to ball and he still clings to that ambition today.

«When I was 17 or 18 years old I was already recording videos of my plays and sending them to different countries. They called me from Norway and I went there, to Fram Larvik, a third division team from a town called Torstrand. It was difficult for me, honestly. It was very physical football and the weather was very tough. The league stopped during the snowiest seasons and during one of those breaks I went to England. a cousin of mine [Bambo Diaby] who plays for Sheffield in the Championship, the English second division, got me several trials and I gave it a try. Then I was in the Gran Tarajal of Fuerteventura, in France…», says Diaby.

A worker in a hospital material factory in Mataró, he is still on the path to being a footballer, no matter what the cost. Last season, for example, they did not experience one relegation, not two, they experienced three relegations and despite this they do not give up, they do not give up, they do not give up. He could not save Granollers, with whom he started the year, nor the French Etoile Maritime, which called him in the winter, nor his Mataró, but he is still there. “It’s hard to accept it, you consider things, but you have to continue,” encourages Diaby who celebrates the current moment of his Vic.

The forestry technician, the biologist…

Absolute leader of the Catalan Elite League against historical teams like Palamós, they beat Sporting de Mahón to gain a place in the Copa del Rey. With more than 100 years of history – it was founded in 1922 – its ceiling has always been the Third Division, the current Second RFEF, although it has other matches against the greats in its books. In the Generalissimo Cup of the 1951-1952 season they faced Barça, who also visited the city for a friendly at the inauguration of the Estadi Hipòlit Planàs in 1986.

«It is the most important game ever for Vic. We are in a bubble, in a dream. Atlético should win a lot, but I will have the pleasure of defending Sorlotha Julian Alvareza Rodrigo dePaulwhoever plays,” he acknowledges Gil Bertranacentre-back, second captain and forestry technician.

70 kilometers north of Barcelona, ​​Vic lives off its agri-food industry, meat, and sausages, although few players are related. Some have studied Business Administration and Management (ADE) and even others defense, John Chestnut He is a biologist with a master’s degree in genetics and has a bronze medal in his achievements at the Spanish Biology Olympiad.

«There are also those who work in a warehouse. We are a normal group of young people who play football together. Arriving home at ten at night after training is an effort, but against Atlético we are going to enjoy the reward,” Bertrana concludes, before playing the game of their lives.