Futbol is a rough game. You look around and most of the players running on pitches every weekend are men in their 20s. Some are even teenagers. There are certainly players in their early 30s, but once you start getting around the age of 35, it's just about time to hang up the boots. Futbol takes a toll on the knees (just look at Ronaldo) and simply put, most players lose their much needed velocity to stay competitive once they get north of 35. There are exceptions, Paolo Maldini at AC Milan is one that immediately comes to mind. But in Spain the player who holds the title of 'abuelo' of Spanish futbol is a man who goes out every week and plays 'al hueso' for Rayo Vallecano in La Segunda Division. He is Carlos Llorens.
Carlos Llorens was born in Alicante back in 1967 and rose through the ranks of futbol in the Comunidad de Valencia. Most of his futbol has been played in La Segunda Division with occasional stops with teams in La Segunda B. Here is the resume:
Tomelloso (91-92), Cartagena (92-93), Elche (93-94), Levante (94-95) ,Lleida (95-97), Leganés (97-98), Rayo Vallecano (98-00), Atlético de Madrid (00-01), Osasuna (00-01), Alavés (01-03), Polideportivo Ejido (03-06) and back to Rayo Vallecano (06-current).
Even if his play was not in La Liga at the first division level, it's still very impressive and is worth respect and admiration. And not only is Carlos still playing, but he performs at a high level at the left back for Rayo. He started all games last year for the Vallecas club and is on track to do the same this year.
He will always be remembered as a hero to Rayo Vallecano fans after Carlos cooly converted the PK that gave Rayo the 1-0 win over Benidorm to ensure promotion from Segunda B to La Segunda. It was during that game where an unforgettable scene played out. The referee whistled the PK in favor of Rayo and of course the savvy veteran Llorens was chosen to take it. Carlos' daughters were in the stands that day in Vallecas and assured all of those around them that their father would not fail, and as stated above, they were right!
So to all of you who are now over 30 and starting to feel some ill effects of aging, especially after engaging in sport, be sure to channel your inner Carlos Llorens! As a tribute to Carlos Llorens, this week's Team of the Week is Rayo Vallecano.
I forgot to post results and La Clasificacion from last week. Xerex esta en racha! The boys from southwestern Andalucia have scored 10 goals in their last two games!
Jornada 12
Sevilla At - Elche 0-2
Xerez - Alavés 5-0
Girona - Hércules 1-0
Castellón - Murcia 2-0
Gimnástic - Zaragoza 0-0
Eibar - Las Palmas 1-2
Tenerife - R.Sociedad 1-1
Huesca - Levante 2-1
Celta - Rayo 0-0
Alicante - Córdoba 2-2
Albacete - Salamanca 2-2
Clasificacion:
1. Salamanca - 24
2. Xerez - 21
3. Hércules - 21
4. Castellón - 20
5. Rayo - 20
6. Zaragoza - 19
7. Huesca - 17
8. Tenerife - 17
9. Albacete - 17
10. Girona -17
11. R.Sociedad - 16
12. Levante - 16
13. Gimnástic - 15
14. Las Palmas - 15
15. Celta - 15
16. Córdoba - 13
17. Eibar - 13
18. Alavés - 13
19. Elche - 11
20. Murcia - 11
21. Alicante - 8
22. Sevilla At - 7
2 comments:
alright, dude -
now I can say I've caught up on your blog. nice work. didn't realize last night that Madrid losing to a Segunda B team had only just happened - thought it was one of your historical perspectives.
Co-Worker of mine just informed me he spent a semester abroad in Burgos - they have a team in la segunda? if so, maybe they can get a team of the week nod...
Burgos is a lovely town that sits smack dab on the Camino de Santiago. Unfortunately futbolitacamente the hometown team has fallen on hard times. Currently Burgos CF plays in the Tercera Division, Grupo VIII, which is essentially one of 16 groups consisting of 20 teams in the 4th division. Luckly for them they are in 3rd place and could gain promotion to Segunda B should they earn their way.
Post a Comment