When Levante UD played the Europa League
The most veteran who had been following the Levante UD, they would never have imagined that they could enjoy their beloved club playing in European competition. But nevertheless, after many years in Second, Monday B or even Tuesday, this dream came true.
The season 2011-2012 It was the best in the club's history. The team, directed by Juan Ignacio Martinez, who became the sole leader in a section of the competition, finished sixth, that is to say, qualified to play the Europa League.
When Levante played in the Europa League
That summer was lived with illusion and nervousness. First to know who would be the rival in the previous, before accessing the group stage. Chance provided a tie against the Motherwell. The granota expedition traveled to Scottish lands to make its European debut.
The Levante was superior, but you had to show it on the pitch and not get lost. Although at first there were nerves, JIM's team prevailed by a score of 0-2 with goals from Juan Lu Y El Zhar.
for the second leg, the City of Valencia he dressed in his best clothes. It was not for less since it was the first official match of Levante in European competition although it was not yet officially in the Europa League. Levante complied with the procedure and achieved a narrow victory with a goal from the Greek Theofanis Gekas.
Levante passed the group stage
The next day, the granota fans were very attentive to know the three rivals that would go through Orriols in that group stage. The Hannover 96 German, the Twente dutch and the Helsinborg's Swedish were the chosen ones. not a simple group. The first official match of the competition was against Helsingborgs at the Ciutat. The hymn of the Europa League rang as the teams lined up on the grass and, Of course, some tear of emotion ran down more than one cheek in the stands of the stadium.
But nevertheless, to the surprise of the vast majority of experts, the Levante was up to the task. The set of Juan Ignacio Martinez He continued to display great defensive strength and an effectiveness up front that made him a tremendously uncomfortable opponent.
On the first day, a goal from Juanfran gave the three points to Levante against him Helsinborg's in the City of Valencia. Later came the first defeat by 2-1 in german lands. The Hannover 96, who finished first in the group, was imposed on the granotas by 2-1 after coming back from an initial goal from Michel Herrero.
Far from collapsing by the stumble, the Valencians achieved a great victory for 3-0 at home against him Twente at a team show. Two goals from Pedro Rios and another of Michel they completed the rout. The double confrontation against the Dutch was completed with a hard-fought draw away from home (0-0).
Levante secured their place as second in the group by beating in Sweden against Helsingborg's (1-3) and drawing at home against him Hannover (2-2). The granotas, Against all odds, they were in the round of 32 Europa League.
Levante sweeps Olympiakos
The public was then able to enjoy a confrontation that went down in the history of the club. The Olympiakos Greek, at that time directed by Míchel from the bench, visited Valencian lands. The 3-0 final makes clear the granota superiority. Pedro Rios, Barkero Y Martins they were the architects of the win.
But nevertheless, Greek hell awaited the Levantinists. Of course, a test of maturity for a team that lacked experience in this type of match. far from daunted, Levante silenced the stands with a goal from Martins just start the crash. The end result was 0-1 (0-4 in the global). The round of 16 was a reality.
Impossible not to dream at this point. The Rubin Kazan, a rival with a style very similar to Levante, was the next stone in the road. A tremendously even tie. Not in vain, the result in both Valencia and Russia was 0-0. Everything was going to be resolved in the extension.
An extension that will remain forever in the memory of the granotas. The team left everything on the field and had chances to score a goal that would have been definitive, but nevertheless, a bit of Solomon Rondon in the minute 100 and another of Vladimir Dyadyun at 112, put an end to the european dream.
The Keylor Navas, Ballesteros, Iborra, Barkero, Pedro Rios, Martins and company, they made the granota fans feel true pride in those 12 matches in which the Levante shield was present in the old continent. If the granotas had achieved the pass against the Russians, the Chelsea would have been the rival and, for sure, that a large number of fans had accompanied the team in Stanford Bridge. I hope the future brings a new opportunity.
