Mirandes-Osasuna, a game for real supporters

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!
Apart from the pure sport matters, it is clear that the huge influx of Osasuna supporters going to Miranda for a single football game after the last week events in Madrid and the bad results of our team in the last confrontations away and at El Sadar is a positive fresh breath of air for fans of FOOTBALL, in capital letters and real supporters, not for those who use a sport to get an excuse for their violence and frustration.

It is a good opportunity for the city of Miranda in Burgos that is suffering from an increase of unemployment and as many of their companies close down. Osasuna supporters have many friends in Miranda, like me, and though most people there support either Real Madrid or Barcelona F.C, apart from Alaves or Athletic of Bilbao, I am sure there will be a good atmosphere between both parts: supporters of Osasuna and Mirandes.

There will be around 1,200 Osasunists in Miranda this afternoon. Some will go by coach leaving early in the morning to spend a festivity day with the joy of following their team and passion, others will leave after lunch in their cars as Miranda is only one hour from Pamplona but everyone has a single reason to go to El Municipal stadium: to support their team, Osasuna, sing and feel our colours without a single idea of using violence to defend Osasuna!

It is the first team to take so many people to Miranda. Deportivo La Coruña fans, unfortunately famous last weekend, were 800, Athletic fans at semifinal of Copa del Rey were around 1,000, but neither Alaves nor any other team gathered that amount of people.

It is also important to listen to members of both fan groups, Jovenes Jabatos and Indar Gorri, that there is a great atmosphere and a warm welcome is expected from people in Miranda for Osasuna supporters.

Last time both teams played was 37 years ago, on 8th May 1977, and Osasuna won (0-1) thanks to a goal of Echeverria. Then, Osasuna plays against Mirandes at Anduva this afternoon to reinforce the idea of football against violence. As it is said: " I want to see a pure football game ".

Kickoff teams:
MIRANDES S.D. :  Razak, Kijera, Caneda, Corral, Aitor; Rúper, Álex García, Jordi Pablo, Carnicer, Igor Martínez, Urko Vera.

OSASUNA: Roberto, Javier Flaño, Miguel Flaño, Vujadinovic, Sisi, Kodro, Loé, Nekounam, De las Cuevas, Ansarifard, Nino.

GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Betis, a special match for Puñal

Good evening, dear Osasunists! Today Real Betis Balompie Club is visiting EL Sadar to play against our team Osasuna. Every match is historical, as it enters in the statistics of the club in Pamplona, but this one is special for two people, one is already retires, and the other may go into HISTORY, with capital letters, of OSASUNA. Echeverría, Echeve for Osasuna supporters, is the player with more matches played in Osasuna history, but he will be beat on Sunday by our actual local hero: Patxi Puñal. Etxebe says: " I always thought that record would be difficult to beat", as fidelity to a club nowadays is unusual, he adds. But I think he is happy that it will be another football player from Navarra the one to beat his record. His number 7 was reference for many other players until 1987, when he decided to retire and become the assistant of the former coach Pedro Mari Zabalza. Bear in mind, that after 25 years that record will be beaten and now there are more footnall games than that time. Echeverría played 14 seasons and he says that the idea of belonging and love to the colours must be overprotected in Osasuna! And he emphatizes that children must learn from Puñal's attitudes and not from other football stars from Madrid or Barcelona. "It's better to imitate Patxi than other players", he says. Patxi Puñal is a model of footballer for Echeverría. Patxi is a high level player, he is a good support for Mendilibar in the field, he reflects quietness and order for the rest of his clubmates. The player from Huarte is 37 years old and he is playing his 464 match against Betis and he will become the player with more games in Osasuna. The number 10 will beat number 7, "Puñi" will beat "Etxebe"! Osasuna play against Betis at El Sadar on Sunday at 19.45 ( another change in timetables from FEF, probably because TV channels orders ), and we hope Puñal's mates will want to celebrate with a victory the record of our hero. GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!