First Visit to Racing Santander!

Last Sunday I went to watch the local top division football team, Real Racing Club de Santander (commonly known as Racing) play at home in their stadium, the Estadio del Sardinero. It was the local derby against the nearest other top division team, Athletic Club de Bilbao. In addition to this local rivalry, Bilbao is in the Basque country (a province in Spain that is striving for independence) whereas Santander is in Cantabria and is loyal to Spain. The strong nationalistic emotions evoked add a further element dimension to the already tense setting of a local derby: all these factors add up to a guaranteed electric atmosphere! However, this comes at a price: it is the most expensive game of the season and the cheapest tickets start at a sizeable 60€ (£40).

Before the match, Athletic were languishing in the relegation zone, whereas Racing were in the respectable position of 9th in La Liga. Racing were the odds on favourites but that didn't seem to bother Athletic, who scored within the first 10 minutes, scored a dubiously awarded freekick by smashing it low under the legs of the mid-jump wall where it was deflected past the motionless Toño. The rest of the half saw an almost silent stadium and a tame performance from a Racing side who couldn't wait for half time. I was beginning to doubt the extortionate price I had paid for entry.

Well that all changed in the second half: what resulted was 45 minutes of end to end football and 8 goals! The final score? 5-4 to Racing, all thanks to a hat-trick from the Serbian striker, Nicola Zigic. Racing's comeback was, from my point of view, mostly down to excellent performances produced by three players. The two Racing strikers formed a classic little-and-large partenership: Zigic using his 6'9" frame to full effect, acting as a solid target man and making his presence felt; Munitis rapidly scampering about and feeding off the little nod-downs from his Serbian teammate; and Balboa the able and nippy right winger who caused Athletic all sorts of headaches down the righthand side, constantly getting the better of his marker. He provided some excellent crosses for Zigic as well as linking up well with Munitis, playing some attractive one-twos and some nice through balls allowing the striker to whizz away from the Basque defence.

The win took Racing to withing 2 points of a UEFA cup spot and committed Athletic to almost certain relegation. They were very vulnerable to the Athletic set pieces, with 3 of the goals being conceded in this manner and if I go to see them again I would hope this situation would be remedied. But all in all, very attractive football and well worth the entrance price!