Thursday, May 18, 2006
WE'RE THE CHAMPIONS!!!
I must admit that I'm not an unconditional supporter of any football team. I prefer playing sports rather than watching them passively seated in front of TV.
Today, however, it is a day to remember!!! Barça has won the Champions League! Therefore, students feel very excited and I decided to prepare some activities related to THE TOPIC.
As I had imagined, most of them are confessed "Culés" but none of them knew WHAT "Culé" meant an WHICH its origine was.
So I gave them the following test.
The Gamper years
In 1908 Joan Gamper became club president for the first time. He subsequently held the position on five separate occasions and spent 25 years at the helm. His main achievement as president was to give Barca their own stadium. He also started a campaign to recruit more club members and by 1922 the club had over 10,000 members.
Gamper also introduced legendary players like Paulino Alcántara, Ricardo Zamora, and Josep Samitier . These players helped the club dominate both the Championat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey and then win the first La Liga championship in 1929.
Until 1909 the team played in various stadiums, none of them owned by the club. On March 14 1909, the 6,000 seat stadium of Carrer Industria opened its door. This was the first ground owned by the club. In 1922 the club moved to a new home at Les Corts. This stadium had an initial capacity of 20,000, later expanded to an impressive 60,000.
It was during these early years in these stadiums that Barça fans acquired their nickname the culés. Roughly translated from Catalan, it means arses.
Far from being offensive, the name refers to fans seated in the highest row of the stadium. From outside passers-by could only see their arses. Barça fans have been referred to culés ever since. As of November 2005, there are about 1730 officially registered supporters clubs of FC Barcelona around the world.
Today, however, it is a day to remember!!! Barça has won the Champions League! Therefore, students feel very excited and I decided to prepare some activities related to THE TOPIC.
As I had imagined, most of them are confessed "Culés" but none of them knew WHAT "Culé" meant an WHICH its origine was.
So I gave them the following test.
The Gamper years
In 1908 Joan Gamper became club president for the first time. He subsequently held the position on five separate occasions and spent 25 years at the helm. His main achievement as president was to give Barca their own stadium. He also started a campaign to recruit more club members and by 1922 the club had over 10,000 members.
Gamper also introduced legendary players like Paulino Alcántara, Ricardo Zamora, and Josep Samitier . These players helped the club dominate both the Championat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey and then win the first La Liga championship in 1929.
Until 1909 the team played in various stadiums, none of them owned by the club. On March 14 1909, the 6,000 seat stadium of Carrer Industria opened its door. This was the first ground owned by the club. In 1922 the club moved to a new home at Les Corts. This stadium had an initial capacity of 20,000, later expanded to an impressive 60,000.
It was during these early years in these stadiums that Barça fans acquired their nickname the culés. Roughly translated from Catalan, it means arses.
Far from being offensive, the name refers to fans seated in the highest row of the stadium. From outside passers-by could only see their arses. Barça fans have been referred to culés ever since. As of November 2005, there are about 1730 officially registered supporters clubs of FC Barcelona around the world.
Comments:
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Hey Cris,
I’m glad you’re finally feeling better! We missed you in class last week. You see, going out so much at the weekend isn’t good for your health! ;-) You should be more careful from now onwards.
It wasn’t too bad and boring if you could enjoy the Barça-Arsenal match despite having temperature. :D They kept us suffering until the very last minutes, didn’t they? And yes, the Celebration in Barcelona was very spectacular!
Well, I hope to see you in full shape in class this week.
Take care,
R.
I’m glad you’re finally feeling better! We missed you in class last week. You see, going out so much at the weekend isn’t good for your health! ;-) You should be more careful from now onwards.
It wasn’t too bad and boring if you could enjoy the Barça-Arsenal match despite having temperature. :D They kept us suffering until the very last minutes, didn’t they? And yes, the Celebration in Barcelona was very spectacular!
Well, I hope to see you in full shape in class this week.
Take care,
R.
Hey Anna,
Now I understand why you looked so sleepy in class on Wednesday morning! :S
Yes, this is a day to remember for all the Barça fans!!! You must be even prouder now that you know the origin of “Culés” nickname. It’s always interesting to know the reason of things, don’t you agree with me?
By the way, Anna, let me tell you that I’m very proud of the effort you’re doing trying to improve your writing in the blog’s comments. You’re doing very well! Keep on writing and amusing us with your comments.
Thanks,
R.
Now I understand why you looked so sleepy in class on Wednesday morning! :S
Yes, this is a day to remember for all the Barça fans!!! You must be even prouder now that you know the origin of “Culés” nickname. It’s always interesting to know the reason of things, don’t you agree with me?
By the way, Anna, let me tell you that I’m very proud of the effort you’re doing trying to improve your writing in the blog’s comments. You’re doing very well! Keep on writing and amusing us with your comments.
Thanks,
R.
Hi Anna,
I can see you are a great Barça fan. You must have enjoyed last night's match. :D
I noticed you weren't in class this morning and your classmates told me about your appointment with the doctor. I hope you get well soon but alergies are very annoying, specially in spring.
We have decided to think about some activities for the end of the year party. Ask your classmates about it.
Get well,
R.
I can see you are a great Barça fan. You must have enjoyed last night's match. :D
I noticed you weren't in class this morning and your classmates told me about your appointment with the doctor. I hope you get well soon but alergies are very annoying, specially in spring.
We have decided to think about some activities for the end of the year party. Ask your classmates about it.
Get well,
R.
Hi Anna,
You see, people are too worried about exams and final projects and they seem not to have time for the blog. Anyway, I prefer you all study and get good marks. We'll have time enough to comment anything you feel like to in a few days.
You can take it for granted that I'm going to take your participation in the blog into account in the final mark. ;-) An it is not a JOKE!!!
Have a nice weekend and study a little bit of English for next week's test.
Good luck.
R.
Post a Comment
You see, people are too worried about exams and final projects and they seem not to have time for the blog. Anyway, I prefer you all study and get good marks. We'll have time enough to comment anything you feel like to in a few days.
You can take it for granted that I'm going to take your participation in the blog into account in the final mark. ;-) An it is not a JOKE!!!
Have a nice weekend and study a little bit of English for next week's test.
Good luck.
R.
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