ELCHE RAYO OF SUNSHINE MONDAY NIGHT?

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At eight pm this Monday evening our very own Elche football club make their long-awaited return to the top tier of Spanish football, La Liga, to be playing some of the world’s greatest teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona this season.

The Illicitanos are actually playing Rayo Vallecano, a minor Madrid club somewhat dwarfed in size and power by their near neighbours Athletico and Real Madrid. Rayo are no mugs, they came eighth in La Liga last year, regularly punch above their weight, and will prove a stern test for Elche.

In the City of Palms we will have to wait until next Saturday evening at 7pm to receive our first La Liga guests Real Sociedad at the mighty (re-furbished especially) Martinez Valero stadium in Elche, first built for the 1982 World Cup.

Question: are Elche ready for such an emotional roller-coaster and true test of their footballing credentials? Well…as a supporter of the club for over ten years I would have to say no, but you can never tell in football, can you? We clearly needed new, and classier blood to survive, which has taken some time to acquire, and Elche are still wheeling and dealing now.

This week saw the confused arrival of an exciting, experienced, Columbian midfielder called Carlos ‘The Rock’ Sanchez, who played for his country midweek against the USA in Barcelona. Somehow Carlos missed his return flight, causing some local consternation, but is now hopefully installed at Elche for three years. He arrives together with another new signing this week, midfielder Javi Marquez, who joins on a year’s loan from Mallorca. Marquez was highly thought of in Spain two years ago, but struggled last year with an injury, although appears all clear now.

The two newbies join an exciting new squad with several key players from last year, like goalkeeper Herrera, full backs Albacar and Suarez, midfielders Carles Gil and Fidel, and last year’s leading goalscorer Coro. Whatever happens this season, it’s going to be exciting – watch this space…
Mucho Elche!

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/40280/

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