It’s seven in the morning. The alarm rings and Ramon Carrascal He starts his day surrounded by books. Shortly after, the alarm goes off. Ignasi Armengouwho starts theirs via a telematic meeting or in person. The first is a physical education teacher in a school, the second is dedicated to relations with the suppliers of a distribution company.
After their respective routines, in the afternoon, they dress in shorts to give free rein to their passion: football. Ramón is the coach of Vica team in the sixth category of Spanish football in which Ignasi, one of the captains, plays. This Thursday, they receive in their renovated stadium, the Hipolit PlanàsAt Atletico Madrid challenge the King’s Cup. “It’s the match of our lives,” Vic’s footballer assures OKDIARIO.
“We have had difficult days to assimilate because for a club like us, so humble, being able to compete with none other than Atlético de Madrid… Imagine the atmosphere”, says the coach of the Catalan team with a voice that exudes enthusiasm throughout his conversation with this newspaper.
Le Vic, absolute leader in Elite League The Catalan team, ahead of other historic teams in the region like Palamós, beat Sporting de Mahón to earn a place in the Copa del Rey. Its history goes back centuries, it was founded in 1922 – and its roof is marked by the Third divisionn, what we call today Second RFEF. In other words, the fourth category of Spanish football.
Ramón Carrascal arrived at the club at the age of 16 and now he has just celebrated his 40th birthday, he is still there. “More than half a life», says the coach after 24 years during which he did everything. “I painted the grass lines, installed the flags, cleaned the locker rooms… Normal for such a modest team. For example, our players were selling tickets for the match,” reveals Carrascal.
See you tomorrow, @Atleti! 🔴⚪
– Unió Esportiva Vic (@UEVic_) October 30, 2024
The queues to buy a ticket went around a stadium dressed to the nines for the occasion. Even the additional stands will be filled, which will increase the capacity of Hipòlit Planàs to 7,000 people. “Atlético will be more accustomed to this environment, We brought in an average of about 300 to 400 fans per game. and we’re going to play in front of 7,000 people. It will be a special day with our people,” explains Ignasi.
They will all arrive on site together in a coach available for the occasion. “Unthinkable things happen. Normally we each leave in our own vehicle, but for this match we will go to a common place to board the bus and be greeted by the supporters who are also organizing a small cheering stand. It’s a price for everyone,” said one of the captains of the Catalan club.
Ignasi was born, raised and raised in Vic. He is known and loved in the Catalan city, where he developed the ball game in its streets. Their popularity has increased exponentially since the draw between them and Atlético de Madrid. “I made friends I hadn’t had in years.. Everyone is asking for tickets, but we only have what we have, the club has handled this in the best way possible,” he explains.
Vic’s key to challenging Atlético
The municipality wakes up in constant turmoil since it learned the name of its rival. Ramón was teaching a physical education class and his students stopped him to watch the drawing. “We all saw it together. When the Atlético ball went out All the kids started jumping and screaming with excitement.. When I got home, I had to watch the drawing again to make sure it was real.
To compete with Atlético, good management of emotions will be vital. “We have our feet on the groundeither. We prepared for the match the same way we did it,” reveals one of Vic’s captains. “The routine changes a little, now the whole municipality talks about the game, but not about the approach, we We will do it as against any rival,” adds Carrascal.
The coach would like to chat for five minutes with Simeone, his namesake on the bench who, due to his longevity in the same team, is compared to Vic Ignasi who is returning from injury and hoping for minutes. He wants Koke’s shirt After the match this was reported to the red and white club, who provided a list for Vic footballers to request the player’s jacket they want.
“The game gives them more laziness than excitement, but for us it is the game of our life.“, warns Ignasi, who must attend meetings before dressing in shorts, just like Ramón with his students. “It’s a game that life gave us,” adds Carrascal, before directing the match of his life from the sidelines.
