INDIANS AGAINST HORNETS

When the Champions League draw came out and it was announced that Atlético de Madrid would play against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals, we, as the Peña Atlética de Alemania, jumped for joy. Finally, Atleti was coming to Germany Since we became an official peña, we hadn’t had the luck of hosting our team here, and we took it as a gift and an unparalleled opportunity to show how great our peña is.

On Wednesday, April 10, the first leg of the match was played at the Metropolitano, and we headed there determined to settle the match in the first leg. We met up with great friends to start the pre-game festivities, which we celebrated under radiant sunshine and a fantastic football atmosphere.

That day, we finally picked up our banner, which will now hang in the Metropolitano, and after leaving it in good hands, we headed, as is tradition, to the concert offered by the Metropolitano Rock Band before the match. There, we met friends from other peñas, the atmosphere was sensational as always, and we decided to enter the stadium early to see our people inside. We hung our small flag in a visible spot.

Many members of the Peña Atlética de Alemania traveled to Madrid to watch the match, and together we enjoyed a great night of football, especially the first half, where Atleti came out to kill. Unfortunately, we deflated in the second half and conceded a goal, making the victory feel more like a defeat.

With mixed feelings, we returned to Germany (happy about the victory but sad because our flag, which had great significance for us as it was the first flag our peña had, was stolen). We didn’t give up and continued to search for it and ask for its return.

We were eager for Tuesday, April 16, to arrive, when we would receive Atleti in our adopted country. We decided to prepare a pre-game event that everyone would remember, as it would be our calling card as a new peña. After finding out where the fan zone would be, we reserved a local and sent out the news to all the peñas, inviting everyone to come.

The fan zone was a sea of red and white; we met many friends we hadn’t seen in a long time, members of other peñas, and people who had been supporting Atleti since early morning.

We never thought our call would have such an impact. From Monday morning until the end of the match, we didn’t stop giving interviews to over 10 radio stations, reports to newspapers, and even to television. The work we put into preparing the pre-game event was hard, but it paid off when we saw the local packed with people and received congratulations from all over. We’re proud to have fulfilled the primary purpose of our peña: providing information, forming groups to travel together, establishing contact networks, and helping in every way possible the over 4,000 fans who came to Dortmund. Our peña is proud of the work done, which has been a success in every way, and has established us as a well-prepared, dynamic, and reliable peña, not only for the Club but also for all fans.

Unfortunately, the result was adverse; Atleti was eliminated, and as always, the visiting fans were the best, cheering non-stop and, despite the cold, losing their voices as they carried the team on their shoulders.

Thanks to everyone who made these reunions unforgettable, to the media for counting on us and treating us so well, and to all those who send us messages of gratitude. This is what helps us grow and continue to be a useful and present peña.

Photos from Madrid

• travel