With friends, I recently went to a football match at Málaga's stadium, La Rosaleda, located in the district of the same name, and has a maximum capacity of 30,000 spectators. Around the stadium there are stalls where you can buy refreshments and snacks, t-shirts or scarves. So, being true fans, we also entered the stadium with a blue and white chequered scarf, of ‘our’ club, around our necks. This evening, the match between Málaga CF and Real Zaragoza was on the programme, two mid-table players in the Segunda División, so it was going to be close.

We were in one of the highest rows and thus had a great view of the pitch. Until five minutes before the game you think half the stadium will remain empty, but just before the referee whistled for kick-off it was almost completely full with enthusiastic supporters, over 26,000 in total. What an enthusiasm for a Liga 2 match!

It is not so easy to buy single tickets either, as most seats are held by season-ticket holders, the so-called ‘socios’. What stood out was that it was truly a family affair with parents enjoying this sporting outing with their children. And when the regular core of supporters started singing the club song, young and old alike sang along.

It was an exciting game and to calm our nerves we, like true Spaniards, chewed on delicious sunflower seeds and luckily, we had a drink with them because the salty treat made us thirsty. After every match, the leaf blower had to be called in to clean the stadium of all the husks. Unfortunately, after leading 1-0, ‘our club’ still lost 1-2 to Real Zaragoza, but what a party it was! From start to finish, the atmosphere in the stadium was excellent.

The supporters of the other side were together in a separate section but without extra fences or police. So that's how it can be done.

Afterwards, we ordered a beer and some tapas in a cozy little square. One thing is certain: we are going to encourage our club a few more times this year with our scarves on!

Saludos de

Claudie, Jeannette, Ron & Jan