Today marks 15 years of a tragedy that shocked all of Spain and of a sporting feat forever remembered. On December 20, 2006 the Recreativo, who lived his best years in First division, visited the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid of Fabio Capello, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo, among others. A football party that encouraged more than 5,000 followers from Dean to travel until the capital from Spain to cheer on his team.
But unfortunately, tragedy made an appearance. At 00:35 hours in the morning a amateur bus collided with a truck that had overturned minutes before on the highway A-49 at the Hinojos-Chucena crossing to Seville. Four people, three of them members of the same family, they passed away Y 35 were injured of diverse consideration. Weeks later there would be a fifth dead. The names of Mariano, Francisco, Javier, Isabel and Sebastián are remembered with affection and respect in the history of Recre.
When the terrible news the dejection was enormous and the merriment turned to tears. The Recreativo that then presided over Francisco Mendoza, (recently deceased) asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to suspend the crash.
But federative entity rejected the request. “The natural order of competition postulates that, even within this sadness, the meeting in question be celebrated, although an express recommendation is made to Real Madrid CF that a minute of silence be observed in memory of the accident victims and that the players, as a sign of mourning, wear black armbands, a recommendation that is extended to all matches corresponding to this day. “This was the statement.
The real Madrid had a great gesture and announced that the collection of that party would be destined for help families of those killed in the accident. Biting the bullet, the two teams jumped onto the pitch.
The best of tributes
The atmosphere in the Madrid stadium was soulless. Barely 50,000 people. Many people did not dare because they assumed that it was going to be suspended or, directly, they returned to Huelva because it was not for parties. But those who stayed were clear that this should serve as tribute for victims.
In the run-up there was a emotional and overwhelming minute of silence. And then he got the ball rolling. Under the orders of the Aragonese Daudén Ibáñez the teams formed as follows:
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Salgado (Mejía, min.66), Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Emerson (Robinho, min.46), Guti, Raúl; Ronaldo (Reyes, min.66) and Van Nistelrooy.
Recreativo: López Vallejo; Merino, Beto (Arzo, min. 54), Mario, Poli; Santi Cazorla, Viqueira, Jesús Vázquez, Aitor; Uche (Javi Guerrero, min. 80) and Sinama Pongolle (Juanma, min.66).
The team that then trained Marcelino Garcia Toral he overcame harsh circumstances. I would have preferred do not play. But it was time to face up and offer the best of tributes to the deceased. The people of Huelva embroidered football and they submitted to Real Madrid by Fabio Capello who was outmatched from minute one. At 35 ‘, the French Sinama Pongolle easily left the Italian Cannavaro, who was horrible that day, and shot Iker Casillas. 0-1.
The Dean was not satisfied. I wanted more. At 51 ‘the Nigerian Uche he scored a game dodging opponents until he got a piece of goal. But the best was yet to come. At 86 ‘ Emilio Viqueira, one of the footballers with the best ball hitting that can be listed, threw masterfully a frank coup that overcame the feline stretched out of Iker. 0-3. Joy for a historic result, but tears for those who could not finish a trip that began with all the enthusiasm in the world. Recreational players they did not celebrate is great victory with hugs, jumping or shrillness. They did it serious, sad and with gestures to heaven in memory of those who died. Much respect
The Recre survives
The Dean has hit rock bottom. A succession of mismanagement has led him to Third RFEF, the fifth category of Spanish football. His fabulous fans have prevented the death of the oldest team in Spanish football. Almost 10,000 subscribers Y massive displacements. Through thick and thin, the Recre resists in the hope that, sooner rather than later, it will return where it deserves.