Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza have never won the league, and their fans never expect
to. But over the years they have become known as a good cup side – a
reputation which was enhanced in 2004 when they beat Real Madrid 3-2 in
the Copa del Rey final in a game that signalled the beginning of the
end of Madrid's season.
Los Maños enjoyed a swinging '60s, picking up the Fairs Cup in 1964,
and then memorably lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1995 thanks
to Nayim from the halfway line past Arsenal's David Seaman. But
Zaragoza fans expect their team to play with flair and passion – they
often claim they would rather lose 5-4 than win 1-0 – and are prepared
to turn up in their thousands to the atmospheric Romareda Stadium,
metaphorical rain or meteorological shine.
Their most vociferous set of supporters, El Ligallo, gather in the
Fondo Norte, but on a good day the whole stadium can be expected to
join in with the most popular chants.
This is a city with a real passion for the game and where better to
chew the football fat than the Fuji-Rama bar on Avenida San Jose.
Before the match there's also plenty of space in the Foro next to the
multiplex cinema, from where the local radio station broadcast their
matchday previews.
As for the city itself, Zaragoza is big but enjoyable with around
750,000 inhabitants, and a lively zone of bars and restaurants tucked
in among remarkable monuments. Among these is an awesome basilica and
the spectacular Moorish Aljaferia.
THE STADIUM
La Romareda is a low-slung affair on the high-rise outskirts of
town, notable for its floodlights and for having been built on blue
concrete pillars rising from the pavements outside the ground. Bus
numbers 30, 35 and 40 will take you there from Plaza de España in the
centre of town.
Home to los Maños since 1957, it's not small: its 34,000 capacity means that tickets
are relatively easy to come by, though it's advisable to get them a few
days early for the really big games.
Club Address P Isabel La Catolica s/n, 50009 Zaragoza
Telephone (0034) 976 567 777
Website www.realzaragoza.com
CITY GUIDE: ZARAGOZA
The excitingly-zedded Zaragoza is the capital city of the Zaragoza province, in the north-east of Spain between Barcelona and the Basque country. It's a university city, home to roughly 50,000 students – a fair proportion even in a city of about 700,000, Spain's fifth-biggest metropolitan centre. Sadly, Zaragoza is regularly ignored by tourists in transit between Barcelona and Madrid. Their loss: a historic city, it has a range of museums and cultural attractions including palaces, churches and other historical buildings – and handily, they're mainly based in the Casco Viejo.
ARRIVAL
Zaragoza Airport is a convenient 10km from the city centre and in 2008 moved into a new terminal building. A bus running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday (hourly on Sunday) connects the airport to the city centre with tickets below €2. Alternatively, a taxi to the city centre will cost roughly €25-€30.
TOURIST OFFICE
Their are six official tourist offices, most of which are located in the city centre. Conveniently, a tourist office is located in the airport which is open everyday 10am – 8pm. www.zaragoza.es/ciudad/turismo/
DON'T MISS...
The bullfight events may not be of interest to every tourist, but the Misericordia Bullring is a must-see architectural attraction: the 18th-century landmark typifies the cultural nature of the city. However, if you're totally opposed to everything about bullfighting, the Amusement Park is a family friendly attraction that has something for all ages. Note, though, that it's only open October through to July. Ties in nicely with the football season, mind.
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Provide something to look forward to at the end of a long day of sightseeing (or football-watching) by booking into the luxurious Hotel Castillo de Ateca for a lovely romantic dinner.
FIESTA!
Las Fiestas del Pilar is a seven-day festival, peaking on October 12, in which the people of Zaragoza and the region celebrate their belief in the Virgin Mary. There's a vibrant mood around the city, with the population swelling to more than two million inhabitants during the course of the festivities, and the bars and restaurants laying on entertainment throughout the day and the night. The main attraction is the daily bullfight, with free admission.
For regular updates on the crazy world of Spanish football, see our blog La Liga Loca
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