Getafe CF

Football club infobox
clubname = Getafe CF


fullname = Getafe Club de Fútbol
nickname = "Azulones" (The Dark Blues), "El Geta"
founded = 1983
ground = Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, Getafe, Madrid, Spain
capacity = 16,300
chairman = flagicon|Spain Ángel Torres Sánchez
manager = flagicon|Spain Víctor Muñoz
league = La Liga
season = 2007-08
position = La Liga, 14th
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pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=FF0000|body2=FF0000|rightarm2=FF0000|shorts2=FF0000|socks2=FF0000

Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish "Primera División" football club based in Getafe, a city in the metropolitan area of South Madrid, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983. Their stadium is the
Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.

History

Earliest foundation

The first incarnation of "Getafe Club de Fútbol" existed since 1945, when five Getafe locals, Enrique Condes García, Aurelio Miranda Olavaria, Antonio Corredor Lozano, Manuel Serrano Vergara and Miguel Cubero Francés, decided to form a team from the area while meeting at the "La Marquesina" bar. Officially founded on the 24 February 1946, the club was called "Club Getafe Deportivo". [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 En 1945 se comenzaba a crear un histórico] , Getafe history es icon]

The earliest days of this club were played out of the "Campo del Regimiento de Artillería", which did not have goals. Shortly after, the club moved to San Isidro, where the current Municipal Sports Center of San Isidro exists today. Here, Club Getafe gained promotion to the third division following a victory against CP Villarrobledo in the 1956/57 season. Getafe even came close to promotion into Segunda during 1957/58, before being defeated by C.D. Almería. [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 Los primeros encuentros en el Campo del Regimiento de Artillería] , Getafe history es icon]

On September 2, 1970, the club finally inaugurated its own stadium as they gained promotion back into "Tercera División". Presided over by chairman Francisco Vara, Las Margaritas was founded with a 3-1 victory over Michelín. The team survived in the third level that season, and six years later gained a historic promotion to second division. [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 En Tercera en Las Margaritas] , Getafe history es icon]

New history in "Segunda"

Club Getafe Deportivo played six seasons in "Segunda División", with little success. From 1976-1982, they never finished higher than tenth.

A highlight for the club came in 1978, when they were drawn against highly-fancied Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Playing at home in the first leg, Getafe drew with a star-studded Barcelona team 3-3, before travelling away for the Second Leg and being thrashed 8-0 at the Nou Camp.

At the conclusion of the 1981/82 season, following unpaid payments to players, Getafe was automatically relegated and subsequently liquidated.

Meanwhile, on September 1, 1976, a new club was founded in the National Sports Council and the Regional Federation of Castille. The club was "Peña Madridista Getafe" (the Real Madrid supporter's club of Getafe). This club played for four seasons in various divisions, until taking the name "Club Deportivo Peña Getafe", and played under this name for a further two seasons. On July 10, 1982, they joined forces with the much older "Club Getafe Promesas", and were registered again in the Regional Federation of Castille. [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 El actual Getafe CF] , Getafe history es icon]

Present existence

Based on the merger the previous year, the present Getafe Club de Fútbol was officially founded on July 8, 1983, after passing through the general partners assembly. [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 El actual Getafe CF] , Getafe history es icon]

Starting in the regional leagues in 1983/84, Getafe was promoted for four consecutive seasons until reaching "Segunda División B". The club started a new period with its promotion into "Segunda" in 1994/95, staying only two years. [ [http://www.getafecf.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=53 Vuelve a resurgir a lo más alto] , Getafe history es icon] Threatening absolute disappearance just a few years later in 1997, Getafe survived relegation into the fourth level "Tercera División" following a two-legged playoff victory over SD Huesca.

Meanwhile, Getafe's current stadium, the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, was inaugurated on the January 1, 1998. [ [http://www.azulones.com/estadio_del_getafe_cf-infs.htm El estadio del Getafe CF] , Getafe stadium es icon]

Returning to the second division for 1999/00, Getafe lasted another two seasons. One year later, however, they would return, following an amazing promotion during 2001/02 during which one of their players, Sebastián "Sebas" Gómez, was murdered, and controversy regarding unpaid payments of players following a debt of 3 million euros. [ [http://www.elmundo.es/2001/08/27/deportes/1040251.html Un policía mata a tiros a Sebas, central del Getafe] , "El Mundo", August 27, 2001 es icon]

Consolidating their position after one year, Getafe had a fantastic season in "Segunda". At the top of the table for most of the year, the side travelled to the Canary Islands on the final matchday needing a win to assure a historic promotion to the first division. Amazingly, they defeated C.D. Tenerife 5-3 with five goals from Sergio Pachón, [ [http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/reports2003/div2a/reportsec1d42.html 2003/04 Spanish Second Division match reports] ] thus becoming the first Madrid suburban team into "La Liga". With this promotion, Getafe had ascended the whole Spanish football pyramid, achieving this feat in only twenty years.

2004/05: First La Liga season

Hiring young coach Quique Sánchez Flores at the helm of the club, Getafe were widely tipped to be relegated straight back to Segunda. A poor start to the 2004/05 season had the side firmly at the bottom of the table, before home wins over Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia turned around their fortunes dramatically. Things improved notably and Getafe began a climb up towards the middle of the table. Including a 2-1 home win against Real Madrid [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=178720&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , followed three days later by their sole away win of the season over Athletic [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=177044&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , Getafe finished a comfortable 13th, being the only previously promoted side to maintain its status, as both Levante UD and CD Numancia were relegated straight back down.

At the end of the season, what would become an annual rebuilding began, as several of Getafe's better performers moved on to bigger clubs, including coach Flores, Raúl Albiol, Nano and Gabi. [ [http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/archive2005/transfers05a.html 2005/06 Spanish Primera Transfers] ]

2005/06: Consolidation and progress

Getafe's next season in the top-flight proved even better. Getafe had a solid start to the season and actually held pole position in the league for a week [ [http://www.azulones.com/sections/resultados/resultados.php 2005/06 Spanish Primera Standings, Matchday 8] es icon] . However, late October and early November saw a slump in from as they crashed from the heady heights of Champions League qualification spots to mid-table. But the slide went no further and Getafe finished the season in a very respectable 9th position with 54 points [ [http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/results2005/table1.html 2005/06 Spanish Primera Final Table] ] . Their consistency and competitive spirit impressed pundits and fans alike.

During the course of the season Getafe took several famous "scalps" with victories over quality teams like Valencia [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188684&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] and Atlético Madrid [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188573&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] . Their main offensive weapons included left back Mariano Pernía, who's 10 goals were often both outrageous and spectacular, Serbian striker Veljko Paunović, pairing up-front with the "unknown" Daniel Güiza. During the 2006 World Cup, Argentine-born Pernía became Getafe's first ever Spanish international, [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_2378589,00.html Spain send for Pernia] , "Sky Sports", May 30, 2006] before moving to Atlético Madrid. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/06/30/spain.pernia/index.html?section=cnn_latest Pernia completes Atletico transfer] , "CNN", June 30, 2006]

2006/07: Copa del Rey Final

In 2006/07 Getafe also finished ninth [ [http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/results2006/table1.html 2006/07 Spanish Primera Final Table] ] , producing memorable results which included another home win against Real Madrid [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=203823&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] and a draw with previous year's league champion FC Barcelona [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=203930&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] . The highlight of the season was their run towards the Copa del Rey final, which included aggregate victories over Xerez, Valencia and Osasuna. Having previously never made it as far as the quarter finals, Getafe faced FC Barcelona in the semi-finals, losing the first leg 5-2 at the Camp Nou [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=215505&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] before producing an amazing 4-0 rout in the second leg at the Coliseum on May 10 [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=216690&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] . Qualfying for their first ever major final, Getafe went down 1-0 to Sevilla FC in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=217345&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] . However, the side would achieve UEFA Cup qualification through the 2007 Spanish Cup finalist spot, courtesy of Sevilla's Champions League berth.

In the league, Getafe finished with the joint best defense overall, conceding only 33 goals in 38 matches together with Barcelona (11 goals in 19 home contests). Newly signed goalkeeper "Pato" Abbondanzieri was awarded the Zamora Trophy, having recorded 12 clean sheets.

2007/08: ¡EuroGeta!

The following season, coach Bernd Schuster left after two seasons to become head coach at Real Madrid [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/jul/09/newsstory.europeanfootball Schuster confirmed as new Real coach] , "The Guardian", July 9, 2007] , and Getafe appointed former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Michael Laudrup as his replacement [ [http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_WORLDFOOTBALL/idUKL0917612020070709 Getafe appoint Laudrup as Schuster's replacement] , "Reuters", July 9, 2007] . The playing staff also changed, with 7 players leaving, including Alexis, Güiza and captain Vivar Dorado [ [http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/archive2007/transfers07a.html 2007/08 Spanish Primera Transfers] ] . The club would acquire, amongst others, Rubén de la Red and Esteban Granero from Real Madrid [ [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=1/newsid=578931.html Getafe net De La Red] , "UEFA.com", 1 September, 2007] . Getafe started the season poorly, needing 7 games to record the first victory, but over the winter they steadied the ship and managed to accumulate more points on the board. This included two good wins, one at home to Barcelona (2-0) [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=226609&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] and a controversial 1-0 away success against Real Madrid [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=226721&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] which kept the team in midtable. More importantly, Laudrup's attacking philosophy was getting wide recognition, as they displayed excellent football along the way.

This was a historic season for Getafe as they entered Europe for the first time. In the UEFA Cup, the team managed to progress to the quarterfinals after finishing top of Group G, only losing once (to Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.) [ [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/standings/round=15119/group=700724.html UEFA Cup Group G] ] . Getafe recorded historic wins against European giants as Tottenham Hotspur, [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=230383&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] Anderlecht, [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=230439&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] AEK Athens [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=233766&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] and Benfica [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=237651&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , setting up a tie against European giants, Bayern Munich, while also surviving as the last Spanish team in the competition. Getafe drew the first match 1-1 at the Allianz Arena [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=238320&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , thanks to an injury time equaliser from Cosmin Contra. In the second leg, only 6 minutes had passed when Rubén de la Red was sent off, making a tough job even harder. Contra put Getafe ahead just before halftime, but in the 89th minute, Frenchman Franck Ribéry volleyed home the equaliser and sent the game into extra-time. Two quick goals, courtesy of Javier Casquero and substitute Braulio, gave Getafe a 3-1 lead, and Bayern struggled for much of the remainder of the match despite their numerical advantage. However, they were suddenly thrown a lifeline when Luca Toni stabbed home from keeper Abbondanzieri's dreadful blunder on 115 minutes. It did not end there, as with the last kick of the match, Toni headed the third goal, earning his side an away-goals victory and a place in the semi-finals, a cruel way for the Getafe UEFA Cup run to come to an end [ [http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/7204/default.aspx Heartbreak for Getafe as Bayern fight back] , "FourFourTwo", 10 April, 2008] . Though heartbreaking, Eurogeta had gained the respect of the continent for their tremendous efforts.

Getafe also had an equally fruitful run in the Copa del Rey. They made relatively light work of reaching the final for a second year running, beating Burgos [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=231481&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , Levante [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=234030&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , Real Mallorca [ [http://sohttp://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=234532&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] and then Racing Santander in the semi-finals [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=236264&cc=3436 ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] , as Valencia, managed by Ronald Koeman, defeated Barcelona in the other contest [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=238223&cc=3436&league=ESP.COPA_DEL_REY ESPNsoccernet Match Report] ] . In the decider at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, Valencia scored two early goals, before Granero shortened the gap with a penalty kick just before half-time. Coming so quickly after a devastating loss to Bayern Munich, Getafe could rally no further and conceded the decisive third goal to Fernando Morientes, finishing runner-up for the second consecutive year. [ [http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=743973.html Valencia win Copa del Rey] , "FIFA.com", 16 April, 2008]

Stadium

Getafe play at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, located in Getafe. Its pitch dimensions are 105x70 metres. The stadium was inaugurated on January 1, 1998, named after the Spanish international (and of Real Madrid fame) Alfonso Pérez. Though he never played for or against Getafe, or even in the stadium, he is perhaps the most famous footballer to come out of the area and was at the height of his career during the mid-1990s. [ [http://www.azulones.com/estadio_del_getafe_cf-infs.htm El estadio del Getafe CF] , Getafe stadium es icon]

Before playing in the Coliseum, Getafe played their home matches at the nearby Estadio de las Margaritas, part of the greater Sports City of Las Margaritas. The Coliseum was subsequently built as a natural extension to the much smaller facilities at Las Margaritas. Since its foundation, the stadium has had numerous renovations, and now seats 14,400 people and several thousand more standing. As such, the exact capacity of the is variable and ambiguous. Getafe generally fill the stadium for local matches against Real and Atlético Madrid, as well as against Barcelona, most famously in the 2006-07 Cup semifinal. For the first time in their history, Getafe pre-sold out the whole of the Coliseum before their Second Leg match against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup Quarter-final. [ [http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2008/04/08/futbol/1207673652.html El Coliseum se llenará por primera vez] , "El Mundo", April 8, 2008]

Getafe president Ángel Torres has expressed interest in upgrading the Coliseum to a much greater 20,000 seat arena, in conjunction with Madrid's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. [ [http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/campo-getafe-estaria-grandes/dasftb/20061103dasdaiftb_58/Tes "Con este campo el Getafe estaría entre los grandes"] , "As", November 3, 2006] The failure of this bid and poor crowd averages has put this redevelopment in doubt.

Getafe use the nearby Sports City when training. These facilities include several training pitches with both grass and artificial turf, full medical rooms and recuperation facilities.

Supporters

Commonly called "Marea Azul", or "Getafeños", Getafe supporters have steadily grown to their team. The team has 18 "peñas" (supporter clubs), and 12,000 "socios" (associates). Former Madrid player Francisco Pavón is a well-known Getafe associate, while Fernando Alonso and Rafael Nadal have attended matches at the Coliseum in the past.

Despite being a suburban team, Getafe supporters have grown far beyond the area and are now known to have fans in Australia, Sweden, Finland, Argentina, Scotland, Denmark, United States and Mexico. In 2007, a "peña" was founded in Venezuela to extend the worldwide club reach.

Getafe fans in the past have been involved in some unfortunate racial incidents, most notably against Samuel Eto'o. Repeatedly fined by the LFP, the club famously threatened to black out their players faces for the next match in an effort to squash the racism.

Getafe also created controversy in 2007 when their season ticket campaign included biblical references of Abraham, Moses and Jesus sacrificing themselves for the team. The club responded by withdrawing the first scene involving Abraham.

Upon important or famous victories, Getafe fans celebrate at the Cibelina statue in the town centre. Prior to the 2007 Cup final, Torres implored the fans to "tear down the Cibelina" upon victory, promising to pay for a new design. During that final, thousands of supporters rushed to get tickets and packed into the Santiago Bernabéu, yet were vastly outnumbered by "Sevillistas". However, those who failed to get tickets - most of which went to season ticket holders for the 2007/08 campaign - were able to watch the match on a big screen in Getafe's central square.

Getafe has also a small group of Ultras supporters, called "Comandos Azules". (Blue commandos).

Rivalries

Historically, due to their close geographical position, Getafe has always held a strong rivalry with CD Leganés. They played out numerous encounters in the lower division, before the two teams fortunes began to contrast as Getafe gained ascendency and Leganés began to deteriorate.

In the first division, the side has held some tremendous matches in the last few years with Real Madrid, with the ledger being most recently squared at 3 wins each. Real Madrid's greater stature, budget and squad has never stopped Getafe from often playing their best football against their "bigger brother". Getafe also has a smaller rivalry with Atlético Madrid.

In addition to this, Getafe has developed somewhat of a rivalry with Barcelona, which culminated in their famous 4-0 victory over their more fancied opponents during the 2006-07 Copa del Rey Semi Final. Also, Valencia CF has succumbed numerous times to el Geta, often quite heavily, as was the case during the 2006-07 Copa del Rey, which ensured Getafe's first ever appearance in the Copa's Quarter-Finals with a 2-4 win at the Mestalla. This result was turned around in the 2008 Copa del Rey final, however, as Valencia would deny Getafe their first ever trophy with a 3-1 victory. This rivalry is propped up healthily by the regular transfer of Getafe players (and coach Quique Sánchez Flores) to Valencia.

Achievements

*Copa del Rey:"Runners-up (2):" 2006-2007, 2007-2008
*"'Segunda División B - Group 1:"Winners:" 1998-1999

*Zamora Trophy for "Roberto Abbondanzieri" in "2006-2007"----
*1 "Participation" in "UEFA Cup"
*4 "seasons" in "First division"
*6 "seasons" in "Second division"
*11 "seasons" in "Second division B"
*1 "seasons" in "Third division"

Current squad

"The numbers are established according to the official website: [http://www.getafecf.com www.getafecf.com] and [http://www.lfp.es www.lfp.es]

"As of September, 2008"

Reserve team

Out on loan

taff & Board

Staff 2007/08

* Manager: Victor Muñoz
* Assistant Manager: Raul Longhi
* Goalkeeper Coach: Juan Carlos Arévalo Aguilar
* Trainer: Manuel Luís Lapuente
* Physiotherapist: Álvaro García Zudaire
* Physiotherapist: Carlos Enrique López Nuevo
* Physiotherapist: Raúl Sánchez Infante
* Medical: Ana de la Torre Combarros
* Medical: Alberto Cerqueira Fernández
* Medical: Christopher Oyola Palacios
* Kitman: Javier Cabeza Valero (Peñi)
* Kitman: Francisco Gutiérrez Pinilla
* Kitman: Iván García Iniesto
* Delegate: Jesús Mantilla Gutiérrez
* Recuperator: Sergio Jiménez Rubio

Board 2007/08

* President: Ángel Torres Sánchez
* Vice President: Agustín Clemente Alonso
*Board Members:
** Manuel Ruiz Morales
** Antonio Alonso Herrero
** Jesús Neira Salazar
** Jesús Martinez Velasco
** Julián Melero Díaz
*General Director: Antonio Mendoza
*Sporting Director: Antonio Muñoz
*Marketing Director: Ainara Knörr
*Chief of Press: Luz Monzón
*Secretaries:
** Juan Leil Pérez
** María Paz García Novo

Recent History

:

"2R=Segunda Regional"
"1R=Primera Regional"
"RP=Regional Preferente"

tadium information

*Name - Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
*City - Getafe
*Capacity - 18,000
*Inauguration - 1998
*Pitch size - 105 x 68 m
*Other Facilities: - Ciudad Deportiva

Kit information

Getafe wears their traditional blue strip. Small strips of white and red also tend to be incorporated in their kit. Generally, their away strip is red, however this has changed in recent years. Their shirt manufacturer is Joma.

Previous sponsors
*2004-2005 Opción (Centro de Ocio)
*2005-2006 PSG
*2006- Grupo Galco

Presidents

*1983-1992 Antonio de Miguel
*1992-2000 Francisco Flores
*2000-2001 Felipe González
*2001-2001 Domingo Rebosio
*2002- Ángel Torres

Famous players

Famous coaches

* Quique Sanchez Flores
* Bernd Schuster
* Michael Laudrup

Notes and references

External links

;Official websites
* [http://www.getafecf.com/ Official website] es icon
* [http://www.fepegetafecf.com/ "Peñas" federation] es icon
* [http://www.lfp.es/competiciones/2007-08/primera/equipo.asp?equ=get/ Liga de Fútbol Profesional club profile] es icon
* [http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=87960/competition=14/index.html UEFA.com club profile]

;Supporter clubs
* [http://www.elbotellin.com/ "Peña" El Botellín] es icon
* [http://www.mareaazul.com/ "Peña" Marea Azul] es icon
* [http://www.getafeweb.com/ "Peña" Getafeweb] es icon
* [http://www.comandosazules.es/ Comandos Azules] es icon

;General fansites
* [http://www.supergeta.com/ SuperGeta.com] es icon
* [http://www.azulones.com/ Azulones.com] es icon
* [http://www.GetafeCF.dk/ Danish fansite] dk icon
* [http://www.svenskafans.com/spanien/getafe/ Getafe at SvenskaFans] sv icon
* [http://getafe-escocia.blogspot.com/ Scottish fansite]