OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
UEFA Europa League Preliminary Round second leg Thursday July 4th 2019 8.30pm
v UE Sant Julià Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar
2019/2020
WELCOME From the President
HEAD COACH: Rafa Escobar ASSISTANT COACH: Antonio Garcia FITNESS COACH: Pedro Perez GOALKEEPER COACH: Roberto Cabezuelo PHYSIO: Pablo Perez PHYSIO: Jorge Espada
Hi fans, It’s a pleasure on our seventh consecutive European season this year to thank everyone who has come along to watch our game. We welcome our opponents from Sant Julia to Gibraltar before wishing them a safe journey home afterwards. In 2018/19 we once again lifted the Pepe Reyes Cup and Gibtelecom Rock Cup for the third year in a row as well as finishing as runnersup in the Gibraltar Premier Division, thus allowing us to enjoy another European adventure. This is the start of a new era for the club with a new technical team and some extremely talented players both from Gibraltar and Europe.
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the next few years and our dreams start today with this UEFA Europa League encounter. Who knows what the future will bring? What I can assure you is that there will be hard work and dedication from all involved with the club and we will continue to aim high. We are also working hard on our Football Academy and youth teams to develop our players at grassroots level. At this point I would like to thank all of the coaches and parents of our youth team players for their support all year round.
The whole club is very excited with the progress that is being made and the new signings that have arrived.
What we do in Europe is so important to our development as a club, in our youth sections, and that is why it is so important that we reach as far as we can in this UEFA Europa League competition. Thank you for your valued support.
We are building a squad that will be capable to go on and win all domestic titles available to us in
Always believing... PETER CABEZUTTO President, Europa FC
KIT MAN: Alberto Torremocha TEAM DELEGATE: Darren Celecia Today’s special souvenir Matchday Programme has been produced on behalf of Europa FC by
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publications Gibraltar’s Match Programme Specialists Twitter: @APEPublications Web: apepublications.wixsite.com/ home Email: apepublications@aol.co.uk All images courtesy of:
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
RAFA ESCOBAR Manager ready for the challenge ahead... RAFA Escobar was an early starter in football management after calling time on his playing days in 1992 at the age of just 23. He took the helm of his hometown club, Seneca FC, in Cordoba. In a spectacular run of back-to-back promotions he made them champions of the Division de Honor Juvenil in 1994/95. It was an achievement that saw him progress to take charge of a number of Spanish third division outfits as he continued to learn his trade and make a name for himself in the process. In 2010 he took over at Real Balompedica Linense and guided them to promotion into Segunda Division B. The following season he led Balona to the Segunda Division A play-offs in which they were controversially eliminated by CD Tenerife. Some great Copa Del Rey runs followed, culminating in a last sixteen fixture against Athletic Bilbao in 2015/16. The 2016/17 campaign saw him take on the challenge of saving UD Los Barrios from relegation; he stayed on at the club until February 2019 when he signed for Europa FC to get his first taste of the Gibraltar Premier Division.
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He was really taken with the project here at Europa FC and the enthusiasm to get him on board. His first season at the helm culminated with a Rock Cup triumph as the club lifted the trophy for the third year in a row, and runners-up spot in the League. Escobar is very hopeful about our chances in tonight’s UEFA Europa League Preliminary round qualifier against Sant Julià of Andorra, and is confident that we will stand tall and put in a good performances in what is an important encounter for the club. “We are looking forward to the challenge that stands before us,” he said. “It will be a tough test, but one that we are more than capable of overcoming with the squad that we have here. “I know that we will stand tall and give everything we’ve got. I am happy with the way in which we have been able to strengthen the squad; the players have the ability, passion and determination to go out there and get the job done. “We won’t be taking our opponents lightly and have worked hard in preparation. Our sights are firmly set on making it through to the next round of this fantastic competition this evening.” OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
IN CONVERSATION Recent signing, Jayce Olivero, talks to Football Gibraltar How does it feel to be back playing in Gibraltar? Jayce Olivero: It feels great to be back playing in Gibraltar. I had three great years playing in UK while completing my studies, that time helped me in terms of my development and progression as a player both physically and mentally. Playing at home, in front of a home crowd, especially with my family there will be great. I haven't played in Gibraltar since I left for University so I really miss it and hope that I can have a great season Europa and enjoy my first season back in Gibraltar. How have you found it with your new team-mates? JO: It's been great, the boys have been good and they've made me feel like part of the group. The team have signed quite a few new players which has perhaps made it easier, especially knowing some before coming here like Liam, Tjay, Ethan, Mikey, Dayle and that just made it easier. Feeling comfortable within the team is essential for any player and they've helped in that way. What do you hope to achieve at this club? JO: Europa are a great club and one which competes for all the trophies in Gibraltar. They have an excellent set-up, a real emphasis on being as professional as possible. Europa have top players which demand a lot from each other every single week and I wanted to be part of this, I want to be working hard every single day in training, on the pitch and learn from everyone around me. My ambition is to work hard for the team, in training and give my all so we are able to win as many titles as possible. 07
“Europa have top players which demand a lot from each other every single week and I wanted to be part of this, I want to be working hard every single day in training, on the pitch and learn from everyone around me...” How has preparation gone for Thursday’s game? JO: Preparation has gone very well for the Europa League games. Once the International break was over and the signings came in, the real preparation began, not just for me but for all those involved. Everyone has worked extremely hard to make sure the squad is in the best possible shape, both physically and mentally. We have worked hard every single day, pushed ourselves to the limit and we can give everything on that pitch. We know what we have to do this evening; we were disappointed to come away from the first leg with a defeat but we are ready and determined to put that right and make progress tonight. You have become a regular fixture in the Gibraltar national team, how has that helped in your development?
JO: Being part of the national team squad has been really important as part of my development, as a person and a player. Playing in those big international games against big nations has really helped me and made me realise what I need to do to get to that next level. Thankfully I started at a young age and exposed to these environments which were new to me at the time and I found it very difficult, I still do but it helped me realise and identify on how I need to improve and reach the top level in football. It is important for any player to be exposed to these types of things, such as playing against big teams and world class players. Forming part of the national team has helped me and I can hopefully stay there and keep progressing and learning from the older players who have been guided when they were young. I hope to be able to deliver more victories and success in our national stadium.
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
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CAPTAIN SPEAKING The thoughts of skipper, Liam Walker...
FROM the whole of the Europa FC squad, we would like to thank our supporters most sincerely for the backing that they gave to us throughout the course of the 2018/19 season. After all that we went through, it ended up being a positive one as we claimed the Gibtelecom Rock Cup for a third year in succession as well as taking runners-up spot in the League. The arrival of the new manager alongside the signings that we were able to make during the January transfer window had an extremely positive impact on the team and in recent weeks we have been able to add to them with some more impressive acquisitions. 09
There is strength throughout the team and in all positions.
we are all looking forward to the game ahead.
Our aim now is to embark upon a good run in this UEFA Europa League competition.
As a group we are extra motivated to do well, so please give us more of that excellent support to help us to get the results that we all crave.
We know that there will be a tough test in prospect today, but there is a good vibe around the squad and
Enjoy the game... LIAM
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
MATCH REPORT LATE GOAL SEES US SLIP TO FIRST LEG DEFEAT
level matters just moments before the break when Joel Mendez was able to equalise. We refused to let our heads drop and regained the lead early in the second period when an inviting cross from Juampe picked out the head of Fernando Velasco who was able to guide the ball beyond the ‘keeper, with the aid of a slight deflection.
UE SANT JULIA 3 EUROPA 2 27.06.2019 – Estadi Comunal (Andorra la Vella) UEFA Europa League Preliminary Round first leg A LATE goal conceded saw us slip to a 3-2 first leg defeat last week. We made the best possible start to the game when Adrian Gallardo found the net to give us an early lead. It looked as though we would take our lead into the half-time, however, our hosts were able to
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
Mendez was on target for his second of the evening to make it 2-2 but his side were soon reduced to ten men when Fousseyni Cisse received his marching orders for an elbow on Olmo Casado. As we looked to make our extra man advantage count, Manu went close with an effort that was scrambled off the line but we were hit with a late sucker-punch when Pedro Munoz snatched a late winner for the home side to give them a slight advantage going into tonight’s second leg encounter.
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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE The road to Gdansk 2019/2020 THE ROAD to Gdansk begins here!
The draw for the UEFA Europa League Preliminary Round took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland on June 11th. Teams were seeded based on the UEFA club coefficient rankings. Two pots were prepared, with one drawn from each and placed into an empty bowl. The first team drawn would play at home in the first leg. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. There are 14 teams taking part in this season's UEFA Europa League Preliminary Round, competing for seven slots in the first qualifying round. First legs took place on June 27th with the second legs being staged today. Here is the draw in full: Progrès (LUX) v La Fiorita (SMR) v Sant Julià (AND) v Ballymena (NIR) v Prishtina (KOS) v Tre Fiori (SMR) v Barry Town (WAL) v
Cardiff MU (WAL) Engordany (AND) Europa (GIB) NSÍ (FRO) St Joseph's (GIB) KÍ Klaksvík (FRO) Cliftonville (NIR)
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CALENDAR 2019-2020 JUNE 2019 11 June: Preliminary round draw, Nyon 18 June: Second qualifying round draw (Champions path), Nyon 19 June: First and second qualifying round draws (Main path), Nyon 27 June: Preliminary round, first leg JULY 2019 4 July: 11 July: 18 July: 22 July: 25 July:
Preliminary round, second leg First qualifying round, first leg First qualifying round, second leg Third qualifying round draw, Nyon Second qualifying round, first leg
AUGUST 2019 1 August: Second qualifying round, second leg 5 August: Play-off round draw, Nyon 8 August: Third qualifying round, first leg 15 August: Third qualifying round, second leg 22 August: Play-off round, first leg 17
29 August: 30 August:
Play-off round, second leg Group stage draw, Monaco
SEPTEMBER 2019 19 September: Group stage, matchday one OCTOBER 2019 3 October: Group stage, matchday two 24 October: Group stage, matchday three NOVEMBER 2019 7 November: Group stage, matchday four 28 November: Group stage, matchday five DECEMBER 2019 12 December: Group stage, matchday six 16 December: Round of 32 draw, Nyon FEBRUARY 2020 20 February: Round of 32, first leg 27 February: Round of 32, second leg 28 February: Round of 16 draw, Nyon MARCH 2020 12 March: Round of 16, first leg 19 March: Round of 16, second leg 20 March: Quarter-final and semi-final draws, Nyon APRIL 2020 9 April: Quarter-finals, first leg 16 April: Quarter-finals, second leg 30 April: Semi-finals, first leg MAY 2020 7 May: 27 May:
Semi-finals, second leg Final – Gdansk Stadium
All dates are provisional and subject to change by UEFA. OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
IN OPPOSITION Welcome to Unió Esportiva Sant Julià... TODAY we extend a warm welcome to everyone connected to our opponents from Andorra. The club finished as runners-up in the Primera Divisió last season as they sought to win their first League title in a decade. They were founded in 1982 and have been members of the topflight since the formation of the Andorran Premier League back in 1995. Since then they have won the Andorran Championship twice, in 2004-05 and 2008-09, and lifted the Copa Constitució on five occasions, in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. The club has also appeared in European competitions on numerous occasions over the years. In the 2000–01 season they were eliminated in the first round of Intertoto Cup by the Swiss team, Lausanne-Sport
(aggregate 1–9). They also participated in the Intertoto Cup in 2002–03 and drew 2–2 at home against Coleraine from Northern Ireland, but lost the return leg 5–0 and were eliminated from the competition. They suffered an 8–0 defeat at home in the 2004–05 season of the Intertoto Cup against the Serbian team, FK Smederevo, and also fell 3–0 in Serbia to suffer a resounding aggregate defeat. In the first qualifying round for the UEFA Cup in 200506 they lost to Romanian team, Rapid Bucureşti, 0-10 on aggregate.
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
In the first round of the 2006–07 Intertoto Cup they lost to Maribor from Slovenia (aggregate 0–8). Then 12 months later they suffered a 4-6 aggregate defeat at the hands of Bosnian outfit, Slavija Sarajevo. They faced Cherno More of Bulgaria in the first qualifying round of the 2008–09 UEFA Cup but lost 0–9 on aggregate. For the 2009–10 season, they once again drew a Bulgarian opponent, this time for UEFA Champions League qualification in the second round – Levski
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Sofia. Before meeting the champions of Bulgaria, Sant Julia eliminated Tre Fiori of San Marino after two 1–1 results, and a penalty shoot-out. This was the first time that an Andorran club had progressed in a European competition. Their dreams came to an end after a 4–0 defeat away in Sofia and a 5-0 home reverse, but they were delighted to make history. They participated in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against MYPA and in 2011–12 against Bnei Yehuda, losing on aggregate 0–8 against the Finnish side and 0–4 against the Israeli outfit 12 months later. For the 2014–15 season they returned to the European competitions, playing in the first round of the UEFA Europa League against the Serbian side, Čukarički, losing on aggregate 0–4. They qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League and faced Randers FC from Denmark, only to lose 0-4 on aggregate. They have qualified for European
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competition in each of the last two seasons. In 2017-18 they succumbed 0-6 on aggregate to KF Skënderbeu Korçë from Albania in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League before taking on Gżira United of Malta at the Preliminary Round stage of the same competition, losing on aggregate by four goals to one. CLUB HONOURS Primera Divisió: Winners (2): 2004–05, 2008–09
Runners-up (7): 2000–01, 2001– 02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2016–2017, 2018–2019 Copa Constitució: Winners (5): 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 Runners-up (8): 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2018 Supercopa Andorrana: Winners (6): 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018 Runners-up (4): 2003, 2005, 2008, 2015
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
THE FUTURE ACADEMY GOES FROM STRENGTH-TO-STRENGTH THE EUROPA FC Academy is going from strength-to-strength as we look to enhance the coaching offered to youngsters depending on their age. Our view is that football is no different to a school curriculum where the kids are taught within a curriculum depending on their age. We believe football runs in a similar manner to education in that the type of coaching that a player receives is dependent on their age. The younger the players are, the more touches of the ball they should have, playing on smaller pitches with more goalscoring opportunities. At the end of the day football is about scoring goals and the younger players love to score goals and celebrate. That means 3v3, 4v4 or 5v5 – this way they will be in contact with the ball all of the time. This is the football coaching curriculum of the Europa FC Academy and each coach works to our guidelines depending upon the age group they are working with. It is vital for us to do this as the players in the Academy will be the players for the future. Putting the right foundations in place is vital for any young players’ development in order for them to be successful when they are ready to step up into senior football. We closely monitor our players throughout the season. If we see that a player has the ability to be seen by professional clubs when they reach a certain age, we will open doors to make this happen. Just as TJ De Barr has been signed by Real Oviedo of the Spanish second division, there is no reason why others can’t follow in his footsteps. 21
We will make sure that all of our players have the right tools and preparation to allow them to make their mark in the game. We have links with various English and Spanish clubs to achieve this.
achieve their objectives, which is to play at the highest level possible. As well as ability, attitude is just as important and we instil the right values into the youngsters under our wing.
This also plays a huge part in our Academy to help our players
We are excited by what the season ahead holds in store for us.
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
ROCK ON Silverware to end the 2018/19 season...
THE 2018/19 season came to a close with Europa retaining the Gibtelecom Rock Cup courtesy of a commanding 3-0 victory over Gibraltar United. All of our goals came in the second half as Manuel Arana, Urko Arroyo and a penalty from skipper, Liam Walker, saw us lift the trophy for the third year in a row.
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
The opening period was a pretty even affair with both sides creating half-chances and Walker going closest with a free-kick that brought a smart save from Kyle Goldwin. We were soon into our stride after the restart and once we ďŹ nally made the breakthrough, there was no looking back as two goals within ten minutes of each other set us on our way to victory. 22
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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
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Today’s special souvenir Matchday Programme has been produced by Twitter: @APEPublications Email: apepublications@aol.co.uk Web: apepublications.wixsite.com/home
Quality Control – In-Situ Training – Geotechnical – Geophysical and Environmental Services Gibraltar Laboratory Devil's Tower Road, 65 A Gibraltar T. 00 350 560 01 800 gibraltar@sergeyco.com www.sergeyco.es
HOW IT UNFOLDED The story of the 2018/2019 season.
Matchday 16 of 27 Lynx FC
1 – 1 Europa FC
Matchday 17 of 27 Europa FC
1 – 1 Lincoln Red Imps FC
Matchday 18 of 27 Football Club Boca Jrs
0 – 9 Europa FC
0 – 0 Europa FC
Matchday 19 of 27 Europa FC
4 – 3 Mons Calpe SC
Matchday 3 of 27 Europa FC
2 – 0 Gibraltar Phoenix FC
Matchday 20 of 27 Glacis United FC
1 – 6 Europa FC
Matchday 4 of 27 Lions Gibraltar FC
0 – 2 Europa FC
Matchday 21 of 27 Europa FC
3 – 0 Gibraltar Phoenix FC
Matchday 5 of 27 Europa FC
2 – 3 St.Joseph's FC
Matchday 22 of 27 Lions Gibraltar FC
0 – 8 Europa FC
Matchday 6 of 27 Gibraltar United FC
1 – 3 Europa FC
Matchday 23 of 27 Europa FC
2 – 0 St.Joseph's FC
Matchday 7 of 27 Europa FC
4 – 0 Lynx FC
Matchday 24 of 27 Gibraltar United FC
1 – 1 Europa FC
Matchday 8 of 27 Lincoln Red Imps FC
3 – 2 Europa FC
Matchday 25 of 27 Europa FC
5 – 0 Lynx FC
Matchday 9 of 27 Europa FC
3 – 0 Football Club Boca Jrs
Matchday 26 of 27 Lincoln Red Imps FC
2 – 0 Europa FC
Matchday 10 of 27 Mons Calpe SC
1 – 2 Europa FC
Matchday 27 of 27 Europa FC
13 – 1 Football Club Boca Jrs
Matchday 11 of 27 Europa FC
1 – 0 Glacis United FC
GIBTELECOM ROCK CUP
Matchday 12 of 27 Gibraltar Phoenix FC
0 – 1 Europa FC
Second Round Lincoln Red Imps FC
1 – 2 Europa FC
Matchday 13 of 27 Europa FC
5 – 1 Lions Gibraltar FC
Quarter-Final FCB Magpies
1 – 9 Europa FC
Matchday 14 of 27 St.Joseph's FC
0 – 1 Europa FC
Semi-Final Gibraltar Phoenix FC
1 – 4 Europa FC
Matchday 15 of 27 Europa FC
1 – 0 Gibraltar United FC
Final Gibraltar United FC
0 – 3 Europa FC
PEPE REYES CUP Lincoln Red Imps FC (won 4-2 on penalties)
1 – 1 Europa FC
GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Matchday 1 of 27 Europa FC 2 – 1 Mons Calpe SC Matchday 2 of 27 Glacis United FC
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EUROPA FOOTBALL CLUB
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LET’S DO THIS!
EUROPA FC
UE SANT JULIA
1 Javi MuĂąoz 2 Ethan Jolley 4 Olmo Casado 5 Ibrahim Ayew 6 Diego Portilla 7 Juan Pedro Rico (Juampe) 8 Alejandro Rodriguez (Alex Quillo) 9 Adrian Gallardo 10 Liam Walker 11 Tjay Debarr 14 Sergio Sanchez 15 Jason Pusey 16 Mikey Yome 17 Marco Rosa 18 Fernando Velasco 19 Manuel (Manu) Dimas 20 Mustapha Yahaya 21 Jayce Olivero 23 Dayle Coleing 25 Daniel Tudela
Kevin Olimpa Ferran Pol Jean Pierre Valentin Miroux Mohamed Djitte Dembra Pedro Munoz Jose Antonio Aguilar Luis Blanco Toni Lao Nicolae Vasile Juanma Hernandez Alberto Molina Santana Mendy Quentin Pereira Alassane Tambe Senah Mango Mamadou Kandeh David Serrano Eric Tie Bi MATCH OFFICIALS To be announced