“Everything is basically controlled…” | Relief

Girona.- The City of Four Rivers woke up with clouds, decked out for a historic day: the home debut of its football team in the Champions League. A huge banner unfurled with the motto “Territory of Champions” on the bridge Le Peixeterie Vel and one big flag With señera and the club shield on Plaza Catalunya greeted loved ones thousands of Feyenoord fans They came from the Netherlands on the occasion of the European match against the Catalan team. The Girona club itself also did the same, posting a message on their networks.

The presence of Dutch fans was visible from the station grounds; Many spent the night outside Girona and arrived in the city by train this morning. Despite the early hour, getting out of the car, Many were already carrying cans of beer in their hands.

. Some of them were dressed in black with clothes Fred Perry or Lyle and Scottusually associated with ultraculture, and had football-themed tattoos.

Those who arrived by train walked into the historic center of Girona, full of cyclists and specialty coffee. Before entering old townover the stone bridge, The increased police presence in the area was evident.both local and regional, Mossos D’Esquadra. Feyenoord’s radicals are among the most dangerous in European football and the Catalan city has been booked to avoid rows.

“Are you a local resident? Are you afraid of something?asked a local policeman with an accent from the Girona region when asked about security ahead of the visit of the Dutch fans. “We’ve been planning today’s device for weeks.. Basically everything is controlled… There shouldn’t be any problems“he added kindly.

The police deployment was very extensive. There were security forces everywhere you looked. Even some are disguised in dark clothing and look radical; The earring in his ear gave him away. Judging by his inattentiveness, it seems his goal was to attract attention, as he went for a walk from one place to another around the territory Independence Square

. It was there that many Feyenoord fans gathered early in the morning. No problem, by the way.. Some even shared space with fans wearing Girona jerseys. And they roasted each other.

“No photos please”Many of them say they don’t really like photos and videos. “YesFirst of all, we were told not to serve food in plastic cups.. And if we see any movement, such as them moving or lifting chairs, we must inform them about it. If something happens, we, of course, will immediately inform the police,” admitted the manager of one of the most crowded places on the square.

There were few Feyenoord shirts on the terraces as a large proportion of their fans wore casual clothes. Most repeated among Dutch followers It was a T-shirt with the words “Feyenoord on tour”. with a raffle for eight beer cans, which symbolize the eight opponents of the Rotterdam team in the Champions League. Girona is identified with the star Damme.

. “Don’t take pictures of my face, please,” asked one of those carrying him. “Look, Lille has pepper spray in it because of something that happened in the city years ago with the police.“, he said with a smile. “You can buy it for 30 euros,” one of his colleagues jokingly suggested.

As lunchtime approached and the glasses of beer piled up, The Dutch began to display a banner from time to time and sing the first songs of the day, without any incident until then. Quite the opposite: good mood and camaraderie.