위드네스 출신인 제가 왜 말라가 축구 클럽에 대해 글을 쓰고 있을까요? 글쎄요, 리버풀과 맨체스터 사이에 있는 마을 출신이니 제가 축구를 좋아할 거라고 생각하실 수도 있겠죠. 하지만 제가 축구에 진정으로 빠져들게 된 건 스페인에 살기 시작한 이후부터입니다. 2005년부터 2007년까지 저는 바르셀로나에서 살았습니다. 그 2년 동안 바르사는 우승할 수 있는 대회는 거의 모두 휩쓸었습니다. 당연히 저도 그 열기와 우승 퍼레이드, 축하 파티에 휩쓸리게 되었죠. 완전히 빠져버렸습니다!
말라가로 다시 돌아온 후, 저는 말라가 FC 경기를 몇 번 관람했습니다. 그 후 이 지역 구단에 대해 모든 것을 알아보기 시작했죠. 축구 전문가는 결코 아니지만, 제가 여러분과 나누는 이 이야기들과 일화들을 재미있게 읽어주셨으면 합니다. 또한 말라가 FC의 주요 명소들을 방문하는 방법에 대한 제 제안도 함께 전해드릴게요. 물론 ‘자전거’를 통해 말이죠!
말라가 축구 클럽 - 간략한 역사
말라가 축구 클럽의 창단 배경
말라가 축구 클럽은 1904년에 창단되었습니다. 오랜 역사를 자랑하지만, 이 클럽보다 먼저 창단된 스페인 축구 클럽들이 많이 있습니다. 현대식 축구는 19세기, 우엘바의 리오틴토 광산에서 일하던 영국인 이주 노동자들에 의해 스페인에 소개되었습니다.th 세기. 초기 말라가 축구 클럽 팀은 말라가 항구에 정박하던 외국인 선원들과 경기를 하곤 했다.
오늘의 말라가 FC
현재 말라가 축구 클럽은 스페인 축구 리그인 ‘라 리가’의 2부 리그에서 뛰고 있습니다. 말라가 FC는 스페인 축구 역사상 2부 및 3부 리그로 강등되었다가 다시 1부 리그로 승격한 횟수가 가장 많은 유일한 축구 클럽으로, 그 횟수는 무려 약 스무 번에 달합니다! 사실, 이 팀의 별명은 ‘엘 에키포 아센소르(el equípo ascensor)’, 즉 ‘엘리베이터 팀’입니다. 그러니 상상하실 수 있듯이, 이 팀이 1부 리그로 승격할 때마다 그 축하 분위기는 스페인이 월드컵에서 우승했을 때보다 더 성대할 정도입니다.
지난 수년 동안 말라가 축구 클럽은 여러 가지 이름을 사용해 왔습니다:
말라가 FC (1904), 말라가 CF (1907), 말라게뇨 FC (1912), 말라가 FC (1915), FC 말라게뇨 (1920), 말라가 FC (1921), 레알 말라가 FC(1927), 말라가 스포츠 클럽(1930), CD 말라시타노(1933-1983), CD 말라가(1941) …이 몇 가지 예일 뿐입니다!
말라가 FC의 첫 번째 축구 경기장
흥미롭게도, 말라가 축구 클럽의 첫 번째 ‘공식 축구장’은 바뇨스 델 카르멘에 있었습니다. 이 경기장은 1918년에 개장했습니다. 전해지는 바에 따르면, 당시 클럽은 바뇨스 델 카르멘에서 경기를 할 때 축구공을 단 하나밖에 가지고 있지 않았다고 합니다. 따라서 공이 바다로 날아갈 때마다 경기를 중단해야만 했습니다. 관중과 선수들은 볼보이가 바다로 노를 저어 나가 공을 건져 올릴 때까지 인내심을 가지고 기다렸습니다.
바뇨스 델 카르멘
바뇨스 델 카르멘(Baños del Carmen)은 과거부터 지금까지도 이 도시에서 가장 인기 있는 사교 모임 장소 중 하나인 오래된 ‘발네아리오’(해수욕장)입니다. 말라가의 산책로 끝자락, 바다 바로 옆에 위치한 매력적인 오래된 건물입니다. ‘MALAGA BIKE’ 매장에서 불과 4km 떨어져 있습니다. 저희가 안내하는 경로를 따라 해안가를 따라 자전거를 타고 말라가 축구 클럽의 첫 번째 경기장까지 즐거운 라이딩을 즐겨보세요. 동부 해안 자전거 루트.
말라가 축구 클럽의 경기장
1941년부터 ‘라 로살레다’(La Rosaleda, 문자 그대로 ‘장미 정원’을 뜻함)는 말라가 FC의 홈구장으로 사용되어 왔습니다. 수용 인원이 3만 명을 약간 넘는 이 구장은 18번째로…th 스페인에서 가장 큰 경기장이자 4번째로th 안달루시아에서 가장 큰 규모를 자랑합니다. 자전거를 통해 쉽게 찾아갈 수 있으며, 자전거를 타고 가거나 말라가 FC를 이용할 수 있습니다. 경기장 및 박물관 투어.
경기장 직원들은 ‘자전거’에 매우 친절합니다. 투어를 하는 동안 자전거를 경기장 안에 주차할 수 있게 해줍니다. (올드 트래포드에서는 절대 그러지 마세요!) 경기장 방문을 마친 뒤, 몇 킬로미터 더 가서 식물원 그리고 리모네로 댐은요? 물론, 도시와 산이 어우러진 환상적인 전망을 만끽할 수 있을 겁니다.
라 로살레다, 월드컵 개최
Back in 1982, Spain played host to the World Cup. Malaga F.C. was overjoyed when their stadium was chosen to host some of the matches. Mainly, this was because they knew that they would make improvements to the stadium. Also local businesses were rubbing their hands together anticipating great financial benefits.
However, once the draw was made their joy became somewhat deflated. They had been hoping for Kuwait so that the rich Arabs would come and spend all their Kuwaiti Dinars. They didn’t get Kuwait- they got New Zealand, Russia and Scotland. Now, remember we are talking 1982 and soccer hooliganism was rife in Britain.
Naturally, the locals were very apprehensive about these Scots coming and destroying their city. Anyhow, the final of the round ended up with Russia vs. Scotland, which the Spanish press dubbed as Vodka vs. Whiskey. Scotland beat Russia and to the great surprise of the locals it was reported in the press the next day that: the Scots just got drunk, sang songs and jumped in fountains.
MALAGA FOOTBALL CLUB recent history
In 2010, Qatar sheik Al Thani bought the club. That year, the most season tickets in ALL of Malaga Football Club’s history were sold. Even the mayor bought one!
The sheik contracted Manuel Pellegrini as coach. (Pellegrini had been given the boot from Real Madrid before coming to Malaga. Mourinho replaced him as coach in Madrid). The sheik, (or ‘el jeque’ in Spanish,) signed some big name players for the 2010-11 season. For example: Martín Demichelis, Julio Baptista, Salomón Rondón and Eliseu. That season Malaga Football Club finished 11th in the Spanish League.
Al Thani continued to sign more big names for the 2011-12 season. Nacho Monreal, Jeremy Toulalan, Joaquín, Santi Cazorla and the Dutch ex-Madrid and Manchester United player Ruud Van Nistelrooy. (As a matter of fact, years later, we at MALAGA BIKE had the pleasure of having Van Nistelrooy on our City Bike Tour!)
Malaga Football Club finished in 4th place in La Liga that season. Therefore, for the first time in the club’s history, they qualified to play in the Champion’s League.
During that season, Real Madrid was due to come to play against Malaga at the Rosaleda. At a press conference the day before the match, their infamous coach, Mourinho, set about undermining Pellegrini- probably wanting to unnerve him before the match. He told reporters that if Real Madrid kicked him out he would NEVER go to Malaga, he would go to some great club in either England or Italy, but Malaga? NEVER!
Well, the Malagueños went crazy. The press were out on the street asking everyone what they thought of Maurinho’s comments. Hilariously, the president of the Tourist Board of the Costa del Sol was quoted as saying: We don’t WANT Maurinho in Malaga- not even as a TOURIST!
MALAGA FOOTBALL CLUB in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
I myself lived the experience of that ”Champions” year in Malaga. I can honestly say that it was one of THE most exciting years of my life in Malaga. Everyone became a fan of Malaga Football Club! The excitement was palpable.
Incredibly, the club made it to the quarter-finals. They were winning 2-1 against Dortmund and at the last minute, due to some suspect referee decisions, Dortmund scored two goals and that was the end of Malaga in the Champions League.
However, the homecoming was one massive street party and the welcome the team received was worthy of Champion League winners.
Over the next few years, the club had many financial problems. Al Thani didn’t pay the players and UEFA banned the club from playing in the 2013-14 European cup.
The club has remained in the second division since then. Even though EL JEQUE the sheik Al Thani was responsible for the accumulated debts and the banning of the team in European competitions, it is hard to find voices of dissent towards him in Malaga. Why? Because he gave us the most exciting year of football EVER when Malaga was in the Champions League. It will be remembered with pride and emotion forever.
MALAGA FOOTBALL CLUB- THE KIT
In the rest of Spain, the Malaga Football team is known as ‘los Blanciazules’- the white and blues. So, yes- you have guessed it- their official first kit is blue and white stripes. Supposedly the blue is for our almost constantly blue sky and the white for the foam of the sea. You can buy Malaga FC paraphernalia at various offical Malaga FC shops located around the city, and, of course, at the stadium.
MALAGA FOOTBALL CLUB- the fans
Before we talk about the fans, we have to talk about food. Well, I should say fish. And one fish in particular. One of the most typical dishes you can try in Malaga is ‘boquerones’- fresh fried anchovies or anchovies marinated in vinegar. In fact, the nickname of Malagueños outside of Malaga is BOQUERONES. I used to think it was because they ate a lot of boquerones here but it is actually because the waters around here are full of …yes!…boquerones.
Anyhow, let’s get back to the topic at hand- the fans. One of the biggest Malaga F.C. supporter clubs is called “Frente Boqueron” which means the Anchovy Front! Unfortunately, such a non-threatening name does not do justice to the ’ideals’ of the group.
Very right wing, it is famous- or infamous- for making Hitler salutes at matches, destroying stadium seats and basically being aggressive and violent. Not the kind of behaviour a fresh anchovy conjures up!
The Frente Boqueron is a ‘peña`. Peña means rock but it can also mean a social club with a particular common interest. The idea being that the group is so united it is as solid as a rock.
Malaga F.C. has approximately 38 peñas. The extreme opposite to the Frente Boqueron is the Malaga Hinchas. Hincha basically means football fan and this group is the biggest of all the peñas. It is famous for never stopping cheering on their team- no matter how badly they are playing. It is great fun to be in their midst as it seems that half the time what is going on in the crowd has nothing to do with what is going on on the pitch.
The Guiri Army
One very unique peña is the GUIRI ARMY. Guiri is the name that the Spanish give to us foreigners. The Guiri Army is a bunch of ex-pats from England- living along the coast who come in coach loads from Benalmadena to cheer on their team. They roll out an enormous English flag during every match.
One day, at a match when Malaga was losing badly and the fans were in despair, one of the Guiri Army ripped off his top, grabbed a nearby flag and ran the whole length of the stadium. He stopped at the other end and waved the flag for a few minutes and then ran back the full length of the stadium.
From there on in it became a tradition at every match with all of the Spanish Hinchas chanting the theme-tune of Rocky and then shouting: Esa guiri esa guiri hey!hey!hey!
When Malaga was in the Champions League, the flag-waving guiri tradition was stopped. In spite of that, the Malaga FC fans won the 12th man award for their support during away games in the Champions League.
There are approximately 3000 foreign Málaga F.C. fans at every home match.
If you plan to take in a match on your visit to Malaga and want to feel part of the crowd, why not learn the words to the anthem of Malaga Football club? Just listening to “Malaga- la Bombonera” will get you in the spirit, for sure!
ANTONIO BANDERAS & MALAGA F.C.
Did you know that Antonio Banderas, the world famous Hollywood actor, was born in Malaga? It’s not possible to talk about Malaga without mentioning his name, as he is the best ambassador for the city we could possibly ask for.
What you probably didn’t know was that Antonio’s childhood dream was to become a professional footballer. However, at the age of 14, he broke his foot which brought that dream to an end. Apparently, he goes to any Malaga match that happens to be on when he is in town.
MALAGA FOOTBALL CLUB & RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
Decades ago there were even more churches in Malaga than there are now. As well, there were many convents. One of the many football pitches over the years of Malaga FC was in a street called ‘Christ of the Epidemic’ (Calle Cristo de la Epidemia).
It was situated next to one of the largest convents in the city. Whenever a shot missed the goal, the ball would land in the patio of the convent. As the players only had one ball, they would have to plead with the nuns for its return. However, the nuns wouldn’t give the ball back until the players made a small donation to the convent. (Some players suspected the nuns of praying for them to miss the goal post).
Spanish Football Club Traditions
Spain being a Catholic country, it is a tradition that football clubs go and make a floral offering to their favourite virgin in thanks for any victory achieved. The Virgin of Malaga F.C. is the Virgen de la Victoria, The virgin of the Victory- the patron saint of Malaga, housed in a church of the same name- la iglesia de la Victoria.
Unfortunately, Malaga FC has never had the occasion to ‘thank’ the virgin for a victory as they have never really won anything. However, they do go there at the start of the season in order to pray for a victory. Then, just in case that isn’t enough, they go to another church to make an offering to the Divina Pastor, the Divine Shepherd, the patron saint of Sport.
Why not cycle to the Iglesia de la Victoria and visit its impressive crypt?
It’s one of our 5 unusual must-see Malaga things – by bike.
Hopefully, Malaga Football Club’s fortunes will change in the coming years. I would recommend any football fan to go along to one of the matches. It is highly entertaining- and almost always warm! You can buy tickets on-line, at the stadium or in one of the official Malaga FC shops.
