18 years of Eindhoven: an anniversary more missed than ever

He Seville misses like May 10, 2006, where this Friday marks 18 years, when the beginning of manna of titles. The team formed by Monchi and Del Nido and directed by Juande Ramos He made history, and a great one, in Spanish football. Five titles in a year and a half and the starting signal for a golden era that left at least 11 titles in the showcases of Sánchez Pizjuán, since then first UEFA Cup lifted in Eindhoven with a resounding 4-0 win Middlesbrough.

Now, just a momente institutional, sports and economic crisissuch a victory was never expected, which caused madness in Sevillismo, a fan who had not lived the experience of a final (not national or European) for 58 years and was shocked by that goal from Puerta against Schalke 04 in a Fair Thursday.

Sevilla, after that, raised the European Super Cup against Barcelona (0-3), the Copa del Rey against Getafe (1-0), the Spanish Supercup beat Madrid at the Bernabéu (3-5) and the second UEFA Cup that was in 2007 against Espanyol in Glasgow in the penalty shootout. All in a year and a half. A misfortune must happen, Gate’s death, to make Seville faint. He dedicated the Super Cup final against Milan to his player who suddenly disappeared, so it was impossible not to bend the knee after two days of mourning.

But that will lay the foundations for a enormous growth. Sevilla challenged for the Liga title that year, although the following season saw Juande’s unexpected departure from the Tottenham in the middle of the League it was another obstacle to overcome. But Sevilla did not stop. won a Copa del Rey In 2010 and after years of doubting the dance of the technicians (Manzano, Marcelino, Míchel…) with Emery when the trilogy arrived: three Europa Leagues between 2014 and 2016, and after Lopetegui during the pandemic in 2020 and even in a year of crisis in Mendilibar it hit silver, repeating for the seventh time in 2023.

But on May 10 it all started. On the historical change from Sevillismo to Eindhoven, that winning machine took over ‘Boro’ in no time. Luis Fabiano headed a pass from Daniel Alves He scored the first goal in the first half and in the second half in the last stretch Maresca scored two goals in five minutes, from 79 to 84, it was from a penalty. And Kanouté, who came off the bench due to some discomfort, made the final 4-0. They lined up that day Palop; Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Escudé, David; Jesús Navas, Martí, Maresca, Adriano (Door, 86′); Saviola (Kanouté, 46′) and Luis Fabiano (Renato, 72′).

The return to Seville was apotheotical. From the airport, in an open-top bus, the reception from all over the city was wonderful all the way to the Puerta de Jerez (where Sevillismo only remembers to celebrate the occasional promotion), the Cathedral, the Town Hall and, finally, the party at Sánchez Pizjuán.

Now, with many unknowns and doubts about the next project, including Monchi outside the club Of the nest Fighting with his son and fighting in the courts to regain control, and without a clear idea about who will be the coach next year, Sevilla fans miss the most on May 10, 18 years the past.