Fútbolita

The ferosha La Furia Roja homems scored thrice in five minutes to give Spain a 3-2 win over Macedônia last night. The match was filled with tributes to Dani Jarque as players gathered for a minute of silence and dedicated their goals to him.

Reira, in particular, pointed to the sky in memory of his friend when he scored the winner.

“It [the goal] was for him, for his family, for Espanyol,” he told AS.

Added Geri Pique, who scored the equaliser for Spain : “This is dedicated to him, he deserves it,” he said.

via EFE

Spanish players and fans from all over are mourning the death of Espanyol captain, Dani Jarque who passed away on Sunday due to heart failure. La Furia Roja’s players gathered at a hotel in Madrid yesterday before their away friendly to Macedonia and many were noticeably reeling from the shock.

“It’s a big pain. First, we suffered the loss of Antonio Puerta and now Jarque,” said Iker Casillas. “It is a pity that this happened to a very young boy who had a wonderful future, leaving his wife in a difficult situation.” Jarque’s wife, Jessica, is carrying his son and is due to give birth in September.

“I remember Jarque at the presentation of Espanyol’s new stadium. He told me that he had become a father and he was very happy,” said Albert Riera. “It’s only in these moments that you (realise) how precious life is.”

“We must stay together and hope that nothing similar happens again,” added Raul Albiol.

The Spanish football world lost a member of their family last night when Espanyol captain, Dani Jarque, died of heart failure in his room prior to the Periquitos’ pre-season friendly against Bologna. It’s very sad whenever the football world experiences death and this reminds us all over again of Antonio Puerta.

“The doctor carried out CPR on the player and used a defibrillator, which showed that the arrest was non-responsive,” read a statement by the club. “After a few minutes, the first ambulance arrived from the Florence emergency services, who tried again with the defibrillator they carried. The medical services continued carrying out CPR, administering adrenaline and atropine for an hour. But the player’s heart did not react, so finally that determined his death.”

Fans gathered outside Gate 21 (his kit number) of the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat last night to light candles in his honour. Spaniards are still reeling over the shock of the news all over the country and Arsenal and Valencia held a minute’s silence in the middle of their preseason exhibition at Mestalla stadium Saturday night.

“That such a young man, a great professional and sportsman, has suffered this has left us very upset. From here, our sincerest condolences,” Raul said.

“We are greatly dismayed by this tragic event and we deeply regret it,” Joan Laporta said.

En paz descanse, Dani.

via AP