Girona Futbol Club, S.A.D. (Catalan: [ʒiˈɾonə] zhi-RO-nuh) is a Spanish professional football club based in Girona, Catalonia. Founded on 23 July 1930, the team plays in La Liga, to which they gained promotion in the 2022 Segunda División play-offs.[3]
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| Full name | Girona Futbol Club, S.A.D. | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Blanquivermells (White and Reds), Gironistes | |||
| Founded | 23 July 1930 | |||
| Ground | Estadi Montilivi | |||
| Capacity | 14,624[1] | |||
| Owner | City Football Group (47%) Marcelo Claure (35%) Girona Football Group (16%) Others (1–2%)[2] | |||
| President | Delfí Geli | |||
| Head coach | Míchel | |||
| League | La Liga | |||
| 2023–24 | La Liga, 3rd of 20 | |||
| Website | gironafc.cat | |||
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Girona holds its home matches at the 14,624-capacity Estadi Montilivi. It is a part of City Football Group Limited. The club also has youth and amateur women's teams for competition.
History
editFootball became of particular interest in Girona at the beginning of the 20th century. The first major club in the city was Strong Esport (founded in 1902 under the original name of FC Gerundense).[4] Some of the team's first players were Narciso Callicó and Salvador Hormeu, both of whom went on to play for FC Barcelona.[5] In the 1920s, football gained strength with clubs such as CE Gironí, founded in 1921, but above all by Unió Deportiva Girona, founded on 13 February of the same year, when the elements united of the Sports Center Gironenc, heirs of the dissolved Strong, with other sports enthusiasts.[5] The club soon became the strongest in the city. UD Girona, however, disappeared in 1929 due to financial problems, following a debt of around 200,000 pesetas (a real fortune for those times).[5] After the disappearance of the UD Girona it was decided to create a new football team in the city.[6]
On 23 July 1930, in the café Norat in La Rambla of Girona, Girona Futbol Club was founded upon the dissolution of Unió Esportiva Girona for economic reasons. On 1 August 1930, the city council authorized the club so that it could use the city's emblem on its badges. It was achieved thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts led by the club's first president Albert de Quintana de León.[6] The team subsequently entered in the second division of the Catalan Championships. Its first official match was against Colònia Artigas with the lineup: Florenza, Teixidor, Farró, Flavià, Comas, Corradi, Ferrer, Escuder, Clara, Torrellas and Taradellas.
1935–36 was the first season Girona played in Segunda División, and the club finished in top position in its group, subsequently appearing in the playoff stage against Celta de Vigo, Real Zaragoza, Arenas Club, Real Murcia and Xerez, but finishing second from bottom, thus out of the La Liga promotion zone.
After the Spanish Civil War, the club fluctuated between the second level and Tercera División, falling into the latter category in 1959 and being further demoted in 1980 – Segunda División B was created as the new division three in 1977, and the club lasted three years in the competition. In 1968, construction of the Estadi Montilivi began, with home matches being held there on a permanent basis from 1970 onwards after nearly five decades at the Vista Alegre stadium.
In the following decades, Girona alternated between the third and the fourth divisions, even spending three seasons in the regional championships, in 1982–83 and 1997–99.[7] On 16 June 2008, after defeating Ceuta 1–0 in the play-offs, the Raül Agné-led side achieved a second consecutive promotion, returning to the second tier after a 49-year absence.[8][9]
On 22 July 2010, a group of local businessmen led by Ramon Vilaró, Joaquim Boadas and Josep Slim purchased 72% of the club's shares, previously held by former club president Josep Gusó and Josep Rofes, thus becoming the new owners of Girona. Vilaró was elected the new president while Agné, after a spell with Recreativo, returned as manager for the upcoming second division campaign, lasting in the position until 14 January 2012 when he was sacked following a 0–3 loss at Recreativo.[10]
In 2011, Girona created a reserve team, having previously grown a natural grass pitch in Palau.[11] On 9 May 2013, the club's board of directors, under the slogan "El Girona FC també és meu" ("Girona FC is mine too"), approved an increase of the club's capital in €300,000 to be distributed in €10 shares, aiming to balance its estate.[12]
On the last matchday of the 2014–15 season, Girona needed to beat Lugo at home to earn promotion to La Liga, but were denied by a last-minute goal by the visitors. Girona had to settle for a play-off place, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Real Zaragoza, despite winning the first leg 3–0. The next season, they reached the play-off final but were defeated by Osasuna. Girona finally earned promotion to La Liga after the 2016–17 season as they finished runners-up to Levante. This was the first time that Girona had ever been promoted to La Liga in their 87-year history.[13]
On 23 August 2017, it was announced City Football Group (CFG), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, had purchased 44.3% ownership in Girona. Another 44.3% was held by Girona Football Group, led by Pere Guardiola, the brother of CFG-owned Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.[14] On 29 October 2017, Girona recorded a memorable victory, defeating reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid 2–1.[15][16]
On the last match day of the 2018–19 La Liga season, Girona were relegated to Segunda Division, after losing 2–1 against Deportivo Alavés, ending their two-year spell in the Spanish top tier. In the 2021–22 season Girona finished sixth in the Segunda Division and were promoted to La Liga in the play-offs, beating Tenerife 3–1 on aggregate in the final.[17] In the 2022–23 season they finished 10th with 49 points, 4 points away from a UEFA Europa Conference League play-off spot.
In the 2023–24 season, Girona reached the top 4 of La Liga for the first time after 2 matches, soon reaching the top of the La Liga table after 7 matches with 19 points, the club's best-ever start in top flight football. On 10 December 2023, they defeated FC Barcelona in the league for the first time, a 2–4 away victory taking them to the top of the table with 41 points and just 1 defeat, their best ever record in La Liga after just 16 rounds.[18] As of 5 February 2024,[update] they sat second in the La Liga table, with 56 points from 23 games, and with only a single loss, placing them 2 points behind Real Madrid.[19] On 4 May 2024, Girona achieved a 4–2 victory over Barcelona, securing their first qualification to the UEFA Champions League and its first European qualification and finished the season in 3rd place with 81 points.[20]
In the 2024–25 season, Girona played their first competitive international match against French-side Paris Saint-Germain in a 1–0 loss at the Parc des Princes on 18 September.[21] David López converted Girona's first international goal when he scored the opening goal of a 2–3 loss against Dutch-side Feyenoord on 2 October.[22]
Training centre
editThe club's new training facilities have been under construction since December 2017,[23] located at the PGA Catalunya Golf Course complex to the south of Girona. Occupying an area of 20,000 m2 (220,000 sq ft), the new complex will serve as the exclusive training centre of the club for the next 3+1⁄2 years. It will be home to a 110 m × 72 m (361 ft × 236 ft) training pitch of hybrid grass as well as a 160 m × 72 m (525 ft × 236 ft) pitch of natural grass, in addition to indoor training facilities.[24]
Season to season
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2024) |
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- 5 seasons in La Liga
- 24 seasons in Segunda División
- 13 seasons in Segunda División B
- 44 seasons in Tercera División
- 3 seasons in Categorías Regionales
European Record
edit| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Opponent | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | UEFA Champions League | League phase | 
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Paris Saint-Germain | — | 0-1 |
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Feyenoord | 2-3 | — | |||
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Slovan Bratislava | 2-0 | — | |||
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PSV Eindhoven | — | ||||
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Sturm Graz | — | ||||
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Liverpool | — | ||||
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Milan | — | ||||
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Arsenal | — |
Players
editFirst team squad
edit- As of 30 August 2024[25]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve team
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
editCurrent technical staff
edit| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Míchel
|
| Assistant coach | Salvador Fúnez
|
| Fitness coach | David Porcel
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| Goalkeeping coach | Juan Carlos Balaguer
|
Last updated: 8 November 2021
Source: Girona (in Spanish)
Board of directors
edit| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Delfí Geli |
| Chairman | Pere Guardiola |
| Board members | Marcelo Claure |
| John MacBeath | |
| Roger Solé | |
| Simon Cliff | |
| Ingo Bank | |
| Secretary of the Board | Ricard Capdevila |
| Chief executive officer | Ignacio Mas-Bagà |
Last updated: December 2022
Source: Girona FC
Coaches
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2024) |
Francisco Bru (1937–39)
Károly Plattkó (1948–49)- Hilario (1949–50)
- Domènec Balmanya (1952)
- Emilio Aldecoa (1955–57), (1959–60)
Dagoberto Moll (1965–66)- Emilio Aldecoa (1967–68)
- Vicenç Sasot (1972–74)
- Emilio Aldecoa (1974–76)
- Lluís Coll (1976)
- Vicenç Sasot (1979–80)
- Pepe Pinto (1980–81), (1981–82)
- Luis Costa (1981–82)
- Emilio Aldecoa (1982)
- Antonio Lagunas (1987)
- Alfonso Muñoz Jaso (1987–88), (1993–95)
- José Manuel (1988)
- Paco Bonachera (1993)
- Pere Gratacós (1997–99)
- Narcís Julià (2003)
- Agustín Abadía (2003–04)
- Josep María Nogués (2005)
- Joan Carrillo (2006–07)
- Ricardo Rodríguez (2007)
- Raül Agné (2007–09)
- Javi Salamero (2009)
- Miquel Olmo (2009)
- Cristóbal Parralo (2009)
- Narcís Julià (2009–10)
- Raül Agné (2010–12)
- Josu Uribe (2012)
- Javi Salamero (2012)
- Rubi (2012–13)
- Ricardo Rodríguez (2013)
- Javi López (2013–14)
- Pablo Machín (2014–18)
- Eusebio Sacristán (2018–19)
- Juan Carlos Unzué (2019)
- José Luis Martí (2019–20)
- Francisco (2020–21)
- Míchel (2021–)
Honours
editDomestic
edit- Segunda División B
- Winners (1): 2007–08 [citation needed]
- Tercera División
Regional titles
edit- Supercopa de Catalunya
- Winners (1): 2019 [citation needed]
Player records
editMost appearances
editCompetitive, professional matches only. Up to date as of 24 August 2024
This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2024) |
| Rank | Player | Years | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cristhian Stuani |
2017–present | 228 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 247 |
| 2 | Juanpe |
2016–present | 224 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 246 |
| 3 | Borja García |
2015–2020 2021–2024 |
215 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 233 |
| 4 | Álex Granell |
2014–2020 | 214 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 232 |
| 5 | Migue |
2007–2014 | 224 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 231 |
| 6 | Pere Pons |
2013–2019 | 198 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 211 |
| 7 | Aday Benítez |
2014–2021 | 185 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 199 |
| 8 | Jonás Ramalho |
2013–2021 | 168 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 191 |
| 9 | José |
2005–2013 | 167 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 175 |
| 10 | Jandro |
2010–2015 | 165 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 175 |
Top goalscorers
editCompetitive, professional matches only. Up to date as of 24 August 2024
This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2024) |
| Rank | Player | Years | League | Cup | Europe | Matches | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristhian Stuani |
2017–present | 120 | 6 | 0 | 247 | 129 |
| 2 | Portu |
2016–2019 2023–present |
35 | 2 | 0 | 152 | 37 |
| 3 | Jandro |
2010–2015 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 175 | 37 |
| 4 | Felipe Sanchón |
2005–2006 2009 2012–2017 |
35 | 1 | 0 | 153 | 36 |
| 5 | Fran Sandaza |
2014–2015 2016–2018 |
25 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 25 |
| 6 |  Javier Acuña |
2011–2013 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 21 |
| 7 | Jaime Mata |
2014–2016 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 21 |
| 8 | Borja García |
2015–2020 2021–2024 |
21 | 0 | 0 | 233 | 21 |
| 9 | Roberto Peragón |
2009–2011 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 20 |
| 10 |  Ranko Despotović |
2010–2011 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 19 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "La conexión ucraniana, a la conquista de Montilivi" (in Spanish). 20 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Marcelo Claure strengthen the Girona FC project | Girona – Web Oficial". Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ "Girona return to La Liga after winning promotion playoff - Get Spanish Football News". getfootballnewsspain.com. 20 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "HISTORIA DEL CLUB | Girona – Web Oficial". HISTORIA DEL CLUB | Girona – Web Oficial (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 October 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Pequeño historial del fútbol gerundense" [A brief history of Girona football] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Análisis a fondo del rival: Girona FC SAD". SPORTARAGON.com (in Spanish). 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ "Historia" [History] (in Spanish). Girona's official website. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "El Girona entona el alirón" [Girona sings "We are the champions"] (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 16 June 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "El Girona aconsegueix un ascens històric a la Segona Divisió en vèncer el Ceuta per la mínima (1–0)" [Girona achieves historic promotion to Second Division by beating Ceuta by odd goal (1–0)] (in Catalan). Esport 3. 16 June 2008. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "Cesado por sus malos resultados deportivos" [Fired for poor sporting results] (in Spanish). Huelva Ya. 14 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "El Llagostera entrena en el campo del Girona" [Llagostera trains in Girona pitch] (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 25 May 2011. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "El Girona FC también es mío" [El Girona FC también es mío] (in Spanish). Girona's official website. 9 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "Girona promoted to la Liga for first time in 87 years | : The World Game". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Girona FC, acquired by new investors" (in Catalan). Girona FC. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Real Madrid suffer shock defeat at Girona on first visit to Catalan club". TheGuardian.com. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "Real Madrid stunned as Girona record shock win". 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ "El resumen del Tenerife vs. Girona del Playoff de ascenso a Primera 2022 y LaLiga 2022-2023: vídeo, goles y estadísticas" (in Spanish). Goal.com. 19 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Barcelona 2 Girona 4". BBC Sport. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Girona Scores, Stats and Highlights". ESPN. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Girona 4–2 Barcelona". BBC Sport. 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Gazzaniga howler gifts PSG 1-0 win over Girona". Reuters. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Feyenoord edge luckless Girona in five-goal thriller". Reuters. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Comienza la instalación del césped en los nuevos campos de entrenamiento del Girona en el PGA Catalunya Resort de Caldes de Malavella" [The installation of the turf begins in the new Girona training camps at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Caldes de Malavella] (in Spanish). 18 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "El Girona FC estrenará en enero dos nuevos campos de entrenamiento en el PGA Catalunya Resort de Caldes" [Girona FC debut in January two new training camps in the PGA Catalunya Resort in Caldes] (in Spanish). 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "First team". Girona FC. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
External links
edit
- Official website
(in Catalan and Spanish) - Girona FC at BDFutbol
