Every year, the Copa del Rey makes us discover amazing stories of humble teams that are hidden by the noise and predominance of top-level football. Next Sunday, Real Valladolid visits Ourense CF, the city's highest-ranking club. However, we find that the majority of fans will not cheer for the Galician team, but instead want their elimination and will support Pucela.
To understand it, we have to understand the context of football in Orense. In the city there have always been two main clubs: the CD Ourense, older and with more history, accumulating the vast majority of fans; and Ponte Ourense CF, founded in 1977, without much fans and always in the shadows of his older brother. Although this Galician province has never had a presence in the First Division, CD Ourense played several seasons in the Second Division in the 90s.
“They wanted to appropriate their history and identity”
“Before there was no problem because the roles were very clear,” Luis Martín, a journalist from the La Region Newspaper. “The team for the entire province and the entire city was CD Ourense, and Puente was an endearing team that played on the other field, it was the other team in the city and it came to play in the Third Division,” he explains. The controversy came in 2014, when Financial problems led the main club to disappearance. Given this, Puente moved to its stadium and changed its official name to Ourense CF.. “For the fans of CD Ourense it was like an affront, as if they wanted to appropriate their history and identity. It didn't sit well at all,” he says.
After this event, UD Ourense was founded —a club that belongs to the members, unlike its rival, which is a public limited company—, which has always considered itself “the heir” of the recently disappeared one and who “stayed” with all the fans in the city. In fact, Both teams faced each other in the Tercera RFEF a few years ago, which left the curious image of a derby in which practically only one of them had fans.. “There are also people who silently support Ourense CF, but they don't express themselves as much,” confesses Luis.
Currently, UD Ourense is in the Third Federation, coached by former Blanquivioleta Borja Fernándezwhile its neighbors have been promoted to First Federation, which means that little by little they are having a larger audience. “Before CD Ourense brought together everyone from the province, but that does not happen with UD Ourense. The people of the city are from UD Ourense, but outside the city the story changes,” the Galician journalist clarifies.
The fans would not allow a merger of both clubs
Although years ago the tension was greater, today it is not as pronounced. “You also have to think that many people, many kids, have no longer experienced that and see it differently,” he explains. However, what has been considered on occasion and seems impossible is the option of merging. “There is understanding, it has been spoken. In fact, The president of Ourense CF is a member of UD Ourense, but the fans are not in favor of joining the other club. Right now that would be unthinkable. by the fans,” he says.
«95% go with Valladolid for sure»
Looking ahead to the Copa del Rey match, we do not expect as many fans as one might imagine against a Primera. Given that Two years ago, Real Valladolid already played in the cup competition at the O Couto stadium against Barbadás, a Galician Preferential team.there is not so much expectation to see him again. Even so, “many people will go to see him even if they are not from Ourense CF.” Nevertheless, “The true fans of UD Ourense go with Valladolid for sure”states Luis convinced. “There will be others who will go with Ourense CF, but 95% will go with Valladolid for sure. And if not, they will go with the locals so that in the next round Madrid or Barça can come here,” he assures.
In this way, and as strange as it may seem, Pucela will not find a heated atmosphere against them in O Coutoas was found, for example, in the last Cup tie against Real Ávila. In any case, it will not be an easy game for Diego Cocca's men, who face a season with more disappointments than joys and a competition that is leaving more surprises than ever.
