Whenever people think about Barcelona and football they will invariably think of one or, possibly, two teams – Barça and Espanyol. However, there are more than 10 teams based in the city. And my home team, CE Europa, whose Nou Sardenya Stadium is in the neighbourhood of Gràcia, not so very far from Park Güell, is one of the best.
CE Europa, founded in 1907, was one of the 10 founding teams of La Liga in 1928. Their proud history includes the 1922 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.
Locals from the neighbourhood (graciencs) still talk about CE Europa’s glory days as giant killers in the 1990s when they twice beat FC Barcelona in the final of the Copa Catalunya.
Today, they are in the Third Division, and their lively supporters – escapulats – have not given up hope that the team will be playing in the Second Division B next season. Altogether the club has over 30 squads, including 4 female teams.
The 7000 capacity stadium, built in 1940, has a good little bar which serves hot and cold snacks, coffee, tea and the locally brewed craft beer, “Virra de Gràcia”.
Match tickets are 10€ (kids under 14 free). And season tickets are only 50€!
Most regular fixtures are played on Sundays at 12 noon and Wednesdays at 20:30.
I really enjoy going here on Sundays to watch a match with friends and go for a vermut afterwards on the way home for lunch.
