Viva La Rana!

Every September, a town known for its Renaissance architecture wakes up from a hot, sleepy Summer to welcome 36,000 new residents. Some are there for the first time while others have already spent many years in this golden city located out in the northwest part of Castilla y Leon near the Portuguese border. La Universidad de Salamanca ranks as one of the finest universities in Europe and also serves as a place for many international students to come and learn Espanol. Granted, being a place with alot of students means there is alot of 'marcha' so it's no doubt that some of the first words these Spanish newbies learn are 'un litro', 'una copa' and 'discoteca.' All partying aisde, the facade at the entrance of the University of Salamanca is breathtaking as you can see to your right. Among all the intricate and ornate details on the facade, there is a tiny frog ("rana") that is nestled above and keeps an eye on every student who passes underneath. This has included such scholars such as Unamuno and way before he wrote the legendary "Don Quijote", Cervantes.

One has to wonder if the 'rana' ever stretched his neck to view the action going on at the Estadio Helmantico. That's where UD Salamanca plays. 'Los Charros' have spent the bulk of their history in La Segunda Division with periodic appearances in La Primera. I happened to catch them play a game at the Vincente Calderon back in 1998 against Atletico Madrid. They lost meekly 0-2 in Jornada 2 and it was a slippery slope after that as they were soon relegated back down to La Segunda.

Looking at their history of players, one that stands out is Ismael Urzaiz. Widely known for his play at Atletic Bilbao, Urzaiz spent one season at Salamanca where he netted a modest 4 goals. Urzaiz is best known for being the player that assisted Alfonso in the 'milagroso' goal against Yugoslavia in the 2000 EuroCup match day 3. Spain was losing 2-3 going into extra time when Gaizka Mendieta converted a PK to equalise. Spain still needed another goal to advance to the knockout round. Current FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola floated a nearly hopeless ball into the area which found the forehead of Urzaiz who delicately placed it onto the right foot of Alfonso who then drilled it into the back of the net sending the Spanish bench into delirium.

Salamanca currently sits atop the Clasificacion of La Segunda Division so perhaps we will see the same kind of delirium in the streets of Salamanca should they earn a ticket back to the Primera. At the very least, someone should at least 'pedir una copa por la rana de la fachada!'

Resultados - Jornada 5

Las Palmas - Hércules 1-1
R.Sociedad - Alavés 1-1
Zaragoza - Murcia 2-1
Córdoba - Girona 2-0
Celta - Tenerife 2-1
Albacete - Gimnástic 3-2
Rayo - Xerez 3-3
Salamanca - Castellón 1-0
Levante - Sevilla At 2-0
Alicante - Eibar 3-1
ElcheHuesca 2-2

Clasificacion

1. Salamanca - 11
2. Levante - 10
3. Hércules - 9
4. Real Sociedad - 9
5. Rayo Vallecano - 9
6. Zaragoza - 8
7. Castellón - 8
8. Huesca - 7
9. Tenerife - 7
10. Girona - 7
11. Albacete - 7
12. Xerez - 7
13. Córdoba - 7
14. Eibar - 7
15. Las Palmas - 6
16. Alavés - 6
17. Gimnástic - 5
18. Alicante - 5
19. Celta - 4
20. Sevilla At - 3
21. Murcia - 1
22. Elche - 1