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100 years of La21, our academy
The RCD Espanyol academy celebrated its 100th anniversary in a special event at the Stage Front Stadium
100 years ago, Luis Gamito Iturralde, famously known as 'Pasabalón', arrived in Barcelona. The football lover, quickly fell in love with RCD Espanyol and proposed to the club to create the first youth football teams.
The Espanyol academy began to take its first steps with three youth teams named 'Pasabalón', 'Los Chavales' and 'Iruña'. 'Pasabalón' was dedicated to recruiting young players who played in the streets for his teams. Ricardo Saprissa, Espanyol player and honorary president, joined the project as its patron and the youth team was renamed Peña Saprissa and then Grupo Deportivo Saprissa. This is how our grassroots football was born, the crown jewel of Espanyol.
100 years later, RCD Espanyol's academy football enjoys high prestige. Admired and respected by the rest of the clubs, the Espanyol academy is a model and an example to follow. It is an essential pillar in the sports structure and a true nest of great footballers.
To celebrate the centenary, the Stage Front Stadium hosted all the men's and women's youth football teams, the Escola Dani Jarque, the Escola de Sant Cugat and the RCDE Special team. After parading across the pitch, they formed a giant ‘100’ in the centre circle to create an image that will go down in history.
During the event, there were interviews with the Club's CEO, Mao Ye Wu, men’s first team player Pol Lozano, sporting director, Fran Garagarza, women's football director, Dolors Ribalta, the president of the Global Legal Area, Javier López, Škoda commercial director , Carles Calatayud and the vice president of the Catalan Football Federation (FCF), Miquel Sellarès.
RCD Espanyol wanted to involve the different directors and coordinators who have been part of the Club's history in the event. From the legendary Joan Escoda, through legends such as Jordi Lardín or Fran Navarro, Àlex García, Luis Vicente Mateo as well as directors such as Anna Maria Fusté and Albert Garrofé.
RCD Espanyol also wanted to have a special recognition for the clubs who have helped to form our current first team players. These players include Víctor Ruiz, Ángel Fortuño, Joan García, Pol Lozano, Nico Melamed, Javi Puado, Jofre Carreras, Omar El Hilali. Laia Jordán, Júlia Serrat, Judit Pablos, Júlia Guerra, Ari Márquez, Laura Lobo and Aina Durán. FC Barcelona, UE Cornellà, Vilafranca, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Cornellà, Mercantil. GEIEG, UE Quart, Girona, CE Sallant, CE Manresa, Damm, Ferran Martorell, Hospitalet At., Santa Eulàlia, Júpiter, Levante Las Planas, San Gabriel, Igualada, CE Europa, UB Catalònia, Llinars, Vilassar, Llerona and At. Sant Ponç were invited and were presented with a shirt of the player trained in their clubs.
Hundreds of pericos enjoyed the event from the stands of the Stage Front Stadium in a historic and unforgettable day for the entire Espanyol family.