: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:18 am  

As ever Barcelona proved to be a wonderful city for a long weekend. Throw in some footy as well and it just made it even better. Unfortunately I missed the Catalonia game, which I had been looking froward to, but the main event was a decent game, and the RL virgins I took along enjoyed themselves. A couple of union fans were surprised by the mobility and skill levels of the forwards, and everyone enjoyed the tackling.

Excellent event, and a fab weekend. Can't wait for next year!

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:37 am  

nadera78 wrote:

As ever Barcelona proved to be a wonderful city for a long weekend. Throw in some footy as well and it just made it even better. Unfortunately I missed the Catalonia game, which I had been looking froward to, but the main event was a decent game, and the RL virgins I took along enjoyed themselves. A couple of union fans were surprised by the mobility and skill levels of the forwards, and everyone enjoyed the tackling.
Excellent event, and a fab weekend. Can't wait for next year!

Not everyone...

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:43 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Nova Creu Alta, Camp d'esports and el Nou Estadi aren't in Barcelona.
La Nova Creu Alta is in Sabadell.
El Nou Estadi is in Tarragona.
El Camp d'Esports in is Lleida.
The mini estadi is next door to the Camp Nou, but there are two things. Firstly, was it even a choice? Would Barça have even entertained the idea?
I know there was a game there yesterday. Secondly looking at the capacity that means that around 3,000 fans would have been denied the chance to see the two games. Those could have been 3,000 potential new fans..

I know there not in Barcelona, but they are in Catalonia? It was just examples that there are other options other places to take the Dragons, I dont know the full ins and outs of the politics, you probably know more, but IMO it would be nice to be in a position to take an odd game wherever there is a demand in Catalonia.

As for Attendances, yes I take the point those grounds are smaller than the olympic ground, but again if the games were taken around the area it would give more people the chance to see games (see potential new fans). Also all of those grounds I mentioned are bigger than gilbert brutus, Im sure there are another 5-10 grounds of similar sizes.

Catalancs wrote:

To be honest I didn't pay too much attention the empty spaces as I was too busy watching the games. Some of the Rugby played by Catalonia and both Super League teams in the first half was excellent.

It was kinda hard not to notice the empty spaces on TV
Not all of us were lucky enough to be there in person

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:46 pm  

marvwoodburn wrote:

I know there not in Barcelona, but they are in Catalonia? It was just examples that there are other options other places to take the Dragons, I dont know the full ins and outs of the politics, you probably know more, but IMO it would be nice to be in a position to take an odd game wherever there is a demand in Catalonia.

As for Attendances, yes I take the point those grounds are smaller than the olympic ground, but again if the games were taken around the area it would give more people the chance to see games (see potential new fans). Also all of those grounds I mentioned are bigger than gilbert brutus, Im sure there are another 5-10 grounds of similar sizes.

It was kinda hard not to notice the empty spaces on TV
Not all of us were lucky enough to be there in person

I don't think it would have the same effect though. You could have the pony derby in Barcelona and people would turn up. The same can't be said for Lleida, Tarragona and Sabadell.
Honestly the empty spaces had little or no effect on the atmosphere and the setting of Montjuïc is fantastic.
Maybe next time it might be an idea to go around the nearby schools and hand out freebies.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:46 pm  

lpage wrote:

I see. I think it'd be great at some point to have a Spanish team (if the RL game spread to the whole country). Anyway, congrats for this first victory.

French fans have started talking about having a Barcelona team in LER, perhaps as a stepping stone for CC. I think it's a great idea, but I am not sure if people in Barcelona would be interested. Any idea?

Barca might not gain much from being in the LER but would probably gain more from the Championship in terms of the level of Rugby.

I dont know how many people in Barcelona would be willing to watch Barca V Batley though

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:49 pm  

marvwoodburn wrote:

Barca might not gain much from being in the LER but would probably gain more from the Championship in terms of the level of Rugby.

I dont know how many people in Barcelona would be willing to watch Barca V Batley though

I've said it before, the best thing would be to have FC Barcelona enter a team in the Catalan championship.
The teams from the Catalan league could even be invited to take part in the French cup.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:04 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

I don't think it would have the same effect though. You could have the pony derby in Barcelona and people would turn up. The same can't be said for Lleida, Tarragona and Sabadell..

Fair enough.

Catalancs wrote:

Honestly the empty spaces had little or no effect on the atmosphere and the setting of Montjuïc is fantastic.
Maybe next time it might be an idea to go around the nearby schools and hand out freebies.

Im not saying it did have any effect on the atmosphere there but it is a big cavernous looking place. Arent Espanyol moving from there as well? what is happening to the stadium after that?

[John_D]

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:07 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

The teams from the Catalan league could even be invited to take part in the French cup.

That's probably the best starting point

[John_D]

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:08 pm  

marvwoodburn wrote:

what is happening to the stadium after that?

Continuing it's slow decay back towards the dust it was made from. Probably

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:09 pm  

marvwoodburn wrote:

Fair enough.

Im not saying it did have any effect on the atmosphere there but it is a big cavernous looking place. Arent Espanyol moving from there as well? what is happening to the stadium after that?

Yep, they're moving back to Cornellà. It's a great looking stadium, really close to the pitch.
No idea what's going to happen to Lluís Companys, but I know USAP are looking into taking some European games there next year.
Do those men ever come up with an original idea?