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Before the match we met up with some friends from other matches we have attended this season. We were all at the team hotel where the media had gathered to interview fans and players. |
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My friends Carlos and Marga (behind the flag) were with me and joined in the photos. |
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I was interviewed by radio and TV to say why British fans support the Blanquiazules. These shots (taken by Marga) show me doing a TV interview but the most scary was live on radio talking to someone in the studio back in Tenerife. |
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My prediction was a win (correct) with a score of 3-0 (incorrect so Carlos goes above me in the Zonablanquiazul forum "Porra" / prediction league). |
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Now here is a sight you won't see very often !!!!!!! Not Carlos, Marga and Tommy but Chris Todd (right) with a can of Fanta before the match. "The General" of Armada Sur did have a traditional beer or three in the pre-match meet up but we made him swap it for the photo - Dorada brewery, you can breathe a sigh of relief - your profits are safe. |
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Colin Kirby - aka "Lemming beautifully made up for the occasion. |
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The "Two Karens" had come for the match - one from Tenerife and one from Bournemouth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dave, Kevin and Carlos (left to right) - some of TeTe's most loyal supporters reunited at yet another away game. |
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Neal and Karen had made a well judged midweek decision to come to the match from Bournemouth. |
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We went up to the stadium in time to greet the team as they arrived. |
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Our trainer, José Luis Oltra, was the one of the first off the bus. |
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Closely followed by Ezequiel Luna (easing the tension by listening to his iPod) and the other players and officials. |
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This group of supporters seemed quite clear what the result was going to be. |
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Carlos has been mixing with too many of the scotsmen in Armada Sur and is wearing his flag as a kilt. |
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The winner of the silly hat competition with someone in one of the many special t-shirts. |
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"Come on Tenerife" - one of over a thousand fans shows his support. |
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Balloons, sirens, flags, banners, scarves - you name it we had them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Marga making a rare appearance at a match and Carlos making one of his frequent appearances. |
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You can probably imagine (or remember if you were there) the cheer when the players came out to warm up .... |
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The Tenerife crowd were full of excitement and anticipation .... |
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.... as we waited for them to come out again for the kick-off. |
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The referee made us wait until exactly 18.30 before Girona kicked-off for the first half. |
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Dani Kome - what can I say. He comes back from Cameroon for the match, he runs, he shoots, he scores and we are promoted. He also gave Carlos his autograph for me before the game and we hugged on the pitch after it. My hero !!!!! (and Player of the Match) |
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Sergio Aragoneses ran him a close second with some great saves at the few times Girona threatened. |
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Ricardo Pérez de Zabalza - better know to us as Richi - on the ball with Nino waiting for a pass. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rafa Ponzo (who formerly played with Tenerife B) had to make many saves in the Girona goal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Culebras in amongst the action as part of a solid defensive display from our back four. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dani Kome in action in midfield. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sergio Aragoneses was in need of the trainer in both halves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kome goes down the wing from where he entered the penalty area and scored later in the game. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dave and Marga look shocked - I'm not sure why as we were winning by then. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nino kicking off for the second half. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Another shot goes just wide, we hit the bar and caused problems for the Girona goalie throughout the match. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Ninogol" on the ball, our super striker didn't score but was always a threat. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club Captain Cristo Marrero was brought on instead of Alfaro for the last few minutes of the game. |
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The players celebrated together after the final whistle ....  .... and then came over with the media hordes to be with us.  The fans soon broke through the thin line of security guards, however, and joined them as they went back to the dressing room.  The area in front of the Tribuna (main stand) soon filled with happy Tenerife fans.  We joined in as everyone congregated there.  Dave, Carlos and I were enjoying the moment - how different to after the Hércules game a few weeks before.  The President and club officials rightly shared in the fans acclaim.  This banner had taken all week to make.  More fans from the Zonzblanquiazul forum.  Then suddenly the players came back out and were amongst us ....  .... celebrating alongside us.  Cristo Marrero was not the only one to get thrown into the air.  Autographs were signed ....  .... photos were taken ....  .... interviews given ....  and this guy seemed to be strangling Cristo.  We meet David Torres and his Dad at lots of away games but didn't see him until the celebrations this time.  Pablo Sicilia with former player and club official José Juan.  A banner telling the Real Madrid President to keep his hands off Nino  We were still celebrating late the next day - lots of people came up to us to congratulate us during the day.  A day in which we had time to explore the lovely city a bit more.
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