A True Derby: Levante UD

By: Cesar | June 8th, 2007

I have a special place in my heart for Levante, also known as Llevant Unió Esportiva (in Valenciano) or Las Granotas (The Frogs).

I used to live near Levante’s ground, the Estadi Ciutat de València. I’d walk to Valencia matches at the Mestalla with relative ease, but never made it over to the former home of such players as Johan Cruyff, Vicente, Predrag Mijatović (Judas) and former Arsenal defender Lauren.

It’s not that I didn’t want to go. It’s that my friends never wanted to accompany me, deriding the club as ‘garbage’, ‘pathetic’ or ‘losers’. True, Levante haven’t had much success in their history. This season marks only their fourth in La Liga, despite having been in existence 10 years before our beloved Valencia, 1909.

But I was in Valencia, and my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to see what was down the road.
I remember going to the stadium, which at the time was surrounded by a litany of construction sites. Valencia the city has exploded in recent years, construction growing in all sectors of the municipality.

The stadium was half-full. I wore a random T-shirt, probably a Yankees shirt. I was strictly forbidden from wearing a Valencia shirt, for fear of violence or hooliganism. I bought my very inexpensive ticket and found a seat behind the Levante goalie, the multi-colored seats of the City of Valencia stadium surrounding me. Mestalla is a true beauty next to this outdated arena.

I saw a rather entertaining game, a Second Division contest against Oviedo which ended in a 0-0 draw. Nothing significant to report. It wasn’t a heated affair. The fans weren’t overly passionate, except for an ocassional anti-Valencia chant. What caught me was the way Levante felt like a family affair. Valencia’s a big club and operate in a big way. There’s nothing wrong with that. One sits at the Mestalla, feels close to the team and loves the way they play. But like the big American sports teams, they feel so distant.

Levante seemed to appeal to people in a different way. The fans cared because, even though they weren’t that great, the club symbolised who they were, what they were about … does that make sense? You felt close to them. Maybe because, with no fans in attendance, you actually could get close to them. But whatever, there was no sense of pretension with Levante. Just a sad sense of what could be, what they hoped to be. What they wanted to be lay a few minutes away at the Mestalla. Champions. In the First Division. Important.

You can walk around Valencia these days and find many bars and restaurants that display the colors of Levante alongside the banners of Valencia. That’s a strange phenomenon between two clubs who are geographically so close to each other, maybe a mile away in my estimation.

Valencia’s done well, won many cups.
Levante lays claim to one, and that one’s in dispute.

It’s called Copa de la España Libre and no one in Spain acknowledges it.
Why?
Because the cup, played during the Spanish Civil War years between teams in Catalonia and the Levante region, was played during a period when La Liga and the Spanish Federation were suspended. They don’t recognize the win, so they don’t put it into their official league history. Levante wants the win recorded, as does Valencia, who lost in the Final to Las Granotas.

Legislation has been drafted to get this to happen and it’s even made it as far at the Spanish Congress, although I’m unsure what happened from there. If you’re interested in knowing more about this controversial issue, pick up the latest copy of the fine English football magazine When Saturday Comes, who devote an article to this cup win.

So what do we make of this game?

There’s not much to make. Valencia have nothing to play for. Levante need a point in their last 2 games to secure their place in next season’s La Liga.

Levante boast Salva Ballesta, ex-Valencia striker and hardcore Francoist. He won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1999-00 season with Racing Santander, when he scored 27 goals to lead La Liga.

Another player is Ivorian Felix Ettien, who’s been at the club for 10 years. This, from Wikipedia:

Shortly after signing, Ettien’s agent disappeared with all his money, the-then Levante coach ignored him, and because he didn’t speak Spanish, other players ignored him too. On top of this, he suffered significant racial abuse, being accused of having AIDS when he fell ill. Despite all of this, Ettien’s mental strength got him through his difficult early years, and he gradually established himself in the Levante side, becoming one of their most important players.

Interesting story, and attests to the man’s fortitude.

Regardless, expect more action from Levante as they need the point and more pomp and circumstance than real footie action. This one could get ugly quick. No predictions, as I don’t do that anymore, but I wouldn’t expect our boys to get out with three points …

Some news and notes:
– For you basketball fans out there, the NBA Finals started last night. Who cares? I don’t. I usually tune out after the New York Knicks are out of it, which is usually by Game 3 of 82. Anyways, if you’re from Valencia, you probably follow Pamesa Valencia, the local basketball team. Who’s playing for the Spurs? None other than Fabricio Oberto, former Pamesa player for 3 years (’02-’05). He won the 2003 ULEB Cup with Pamesa and is now going for a title a little less in stature, the NBA Championship. Good luck …

– This is an idea I’ve tossed around for some time, but of the Americans that read this blog (and I know there are a few), do any belong to an official Valencia penya?
I’d love to start an official Valencia supporter’s club here in the States … if anyone’s interested, please let me know …