The Cardassar, before its big day after resurfacing from the mud

Two years ago, in October 2018, the tragedy struck a small town on the island of Mallorca, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, of about 8,400 inhabitants. A torrent took thirteen lives ahead and destroyed homes, premises, streets and everything that was ahead, forcing the Mallorcan population to turn to the town to get ahead. The village team, CD Cardassar, was then a member of the Primera Regional and was left without a soccer field. Es Moleter had been destroyed.

The images of the tragedy went around the world and the residents of the island and also from the peninsula turned to help a devastated people that received the visit of all possible local, regional and national institutions, and even the Kings of Spain. The Es Moleter soccer field was devastated with an exceptional witness, Biel Figo, former president, who at the time of the disaster was working at the facilities. The Cardassar was left without a seat, as well as without much of the sports equipment. A tragedy. The team had to play during the following months in other fields in nearby towns, such as Cala Millor and Artá ​​to be able to finish the season in third place and go up to the Preferred Regional, campaign in which the current coach arrives, Miquel Àngel Tomás, 46 years old and declared a rojiblanco supporter like his family.

The RFEF, the FFIB (Balearic Federation) and the Balearic Government contributed what is necessary to rebuild the football field, not forgetting the contribution of Rafael Nadal, resident of the region and protagonist of one of the most remembered images of that event, helping as another neighbor in the sports facilities that were affected. The modest Cardassar returned home a year ago, went up to Third —Second consecutive promotion— in May and seventh in group 11A, a good level for a newcomer to the category.

Now, Es Moleter (with a 50% capacity, 305 spectators) receives a whole Atlético de Madrid after that reconstruction and after passing the pertinent and meticulous inspection of the RFEF, which gave the go-ahead for the rojiblancos to play the Cup match. Gone are the days of suffering and sadness of two years ago. A month ago, on the day of the draw, the football environment of Sant Llorenç got the Christmas fat in advance. The big day has come for a club that overcame the tragedy, resurfaced and grew until it rose two categories and faced off with Atlético de Simeone …