Quienes somos? (Who are we?)

Bienvenidos al blog de la Peña de San Lorenzo “La Gloriosa” de Warwick, Inglaterra, la única peña de San Lorenzo en el Reino Unido, y según tenemos entendido, la única del fútbol argentino por estas tierras.

Somos un grupo de cuervos que vivimos en alguna parte del Reino Unido (Inglaterra, Escocia, Gales e Irlanda del Norte) o en Irlanda del Sur, y compartimos la misma pasión por nuestro amado Ciclón. La peña se originó con dos propósitos en mente. Primero, para tener un punto de encuentro, físico o cibernético, entre todos los que compartimos la pasión por San Lorenzo y vivimos en alguna de estas islas del Norte. Segundo, para contribuir a diseminar la religión Sanlorencista por estas tierras. Tenemos como objetivo bautizar a cuanta persona con potencial para ser un cuervo de ley exista en estas islas, sin importar su nacionalidad, raza o género. Por esta razón y para captar el interés de nuevos cuervos que no hablen español, gran parte de la página estará escrita en inglés.

Nuestro "Headquarter" se encuentra en Warwick, pueblo histórico del condado de Warwickshire, Inglaterra. Está ubicado a orillas del río Avon, y posee una población de 25,434 habitantes (según el censo de 2001) y se encuentra a 18 kms al sur de Coventry y 4 kms al oeste de Leamington Spa. Si vivís en UK o estas de paso por estas tierras y sos cuervo, unite a nosotros! cuervosdeuk@yahoo.com.ar

English version

Welcome to the San Lorenzo FC Warwick Supporters’ Club

We are the first San Lorenzo FC supporters’ club in the United Kingdom and as far as we know, the first Argentine football team supporters’ club in the UK.

We are a group of San Lorenzo supporters who live somewhere in the UK and Ireland. We share the same passion for our beloved team (which by the way it is the current Argentine champion). Our two main purposes are: a) to have a meeting point - either physical or cybernetic – among all of us who feel the pride and passion of being a “cuervo (crow)” and b) to welcome anyone who wants to join the big and creative group of San Lorenzo supporters in the world, regardless his/her nationality, ethnicity, religion and gender.

Our headquarters are at Warwick, but you can join us regardless where you live. Contact us at: cuervosdeuk@yahoo.com.ar

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Russo takes over as manager of San Lorenzo

Argentinian giants San Lorenzo have appointed Miguel Angel Russo as their new coach.
The 52-year-old arrives at the Buenos Aires side to succeed Ramon Diaz, who resigned two weeks ago following the team's exit from the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals.
Russo, who won South America's biggest club tournament in 2007 with Boca Juniors, insists he is ready to take on the pressure that comes with such an important role.
'San Lorenzo are giants with big objectives,' he told TyC Sports television network.
'San Lorenzo´s people are as demanding as River (Plate) or Boca fans.
'For everybody the Copa Libertadores is very important. We think about winning and I know what it feels like as I have already won the Copa with Boca.'
Russo also reached the FIFA Club World Cup final with Boca in 2007, but they lost 4-2to AC Milan. He also won the 2005 Clausura with Velez Sarsfield.
(espnsoccernet)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Diaz Walks Out On San Lorenzo

Ramon Diaz has left his position as coach of San Lorenzo two games earlier than expected after announcing his decision to the squad on Tuesday.

Diaz announced last week that he intended to leave the club at the end of the Argentine Clausura, but following their 3-2 defeat to Olimpo Bahia Blanca at the weekend, he has decided to cut off his ties with the club with two games still left to play.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that all was not well behind the scenes at the Nuevo Gasometro, with Diaz and club president Rafael Savino failing to see eye-to-eye over a number of prevalent issues within the club.

Diaz arrived at training on Tuesday as normal, but did not change into his coaching gear and instead hosted a short meeting with the players in which he told them of his intention to depart with immediate effect.

"Ramon Diaz told me that today would be his last at the club," San Lorenzo general manager Jorge Berrio told TyC Sports.

"He met with all the players and then left... I will now speak with Savino to see who will take control of training in the next few days, and we will begin our search for a new coach."

Youth team coach Fernando Berón was the man decided upon by Savino to take charge for the final two games of the season, while former Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo is thought to be the front-runner for the permanent position
Nick Dorrington

D'Alessandro: Pekerman Comes, I Go

San Lorenzo playmaker Andres D'Alessandro has made it clear that he will request a move away from the Nuevo Gasometro should Jose Pekerman be chosen to replace the outgoing Ramon Diaz as coach

Diaz will leave the club at the end of the Clausura having failed to lead the team to glory in the Copa Libertadores, with a number of high-profile coaches being lined up as potential replacements.

Miguel Angel Russo, America Gallego and Leonardo Astrada have all been mentioned in connection with the position, but there is one particular candidate that D'Alessandro doesn't see eye-to-eye with, namely former national team coach Jose Pekerman.

Pekerman omitted D'Alessandro from the Argentina squad for the 2006 World Cup and it seems that there is still bad blood between the two, even a couple of years on.

"If Pekerman comes, I am going to have to leave. If I stayed I doubt that we could work together," he told Radio La Red.

D'Alessandro also spoke on the other names that have been linked with the vacancy and seemed happier at the prospects of one of the other three taking charge.

"Gallego is a phenomenon; I must admit that I do not know Russo; Astrada was a team-mate of mine at River and appears to be highly thought of as a coach," he affirmed.

Nick Dorrington (goal.com)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Ramon Diaz will quit as San Lorenzo coach next month

San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz will quit the job when the Argentine season ends next month.

The announcement from the coach on Wednesday came amid local media reports the 1982 World Cup forward had fallen out with key players (Orion, A. Gonzalez, Romeo, Hirsig and Mendez), who are angry at the presence of his sons Michael and Emiliano in the squad.

Local media also reported there was an argument over bonus money on the eve of last week's Libertadores Cup quarter-final second leg clash against Ecuador's LDU, which added to the bad feeling between the coach and some players.

Despite the problems, San Lorenzo are third in the Argentine Clausura championship, three points behind leading pair Estudiantes and River Plate with three games each to play.

"They have given me all the chances and possibilities to work," Diaz, 48, told a news conference. "It's the right moment, we have a great team, a great institution and a great public.

"We are fighting for the title. Because of this, I will lead the team in the three matches which remain and then I'm off."

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Days Numbered For Diaz?

San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz could be set to leave the club at the end of the Clausura following their exit from the Copa Libertadores at the hands of LDU Quito on Thursday.
El Ciclon were eliminated on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw with the Ecuadorians, but despite the disappointment of defeat, Diaz was quick to defend the effort put in by his players.

"I am proud of this team. We demonstrated a great togetherness and temperament… these players gave an enormous amount of effort; we cannot ask for more because they gave everything," he told reporters after the match.

"On the other hand, it is necessary to congratulate our opponents for going through."

The loss brings Diaz's future at the Nuevo Gasometro into doubt and club president Rafael Savino would go no further than confirm that the coach will be in charge for their weekend game.

"Ramon will be in charge against Colón. We only spoke of what happened in this game so that was never in doubt," he asserted.

With reports that the relationship between Diaz and some of his players has become strained in recent times, their likely lack of the Clausura crown and elimination from the Libertadores, Diaz could very well be on his way over the summer.

There is a clause in Diaz's contract that allows him to leave the club in June and having stayed on at the turn of the year primarily for a shot at the Libertadores, he may seek pastures new now that his team have been knocked out the competition.
(goal.com)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

In the Third Position


San Lorenzo climbed up to third position, after coming from behind to defeat Colon de Santa Fe 2-1 in Buenos Aires. Ruben Ramirez put Colon ahead in the 8th minute. but midfielder Aureliano Torres, who missed in the penalty shootout against LDU on Thursday, scored twice to help beat Colon 2-1 and to stay in touch with the leaders.

Ruben Ramirez headed Colon in front in the eighth minute before Torres replied with a long-range drive six minutes before halftime.

The Paraguayan international put Thursday's trauma behind him when he stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes after halftime following a foul on Juan Menseguez.

San Lorenzo are three points behind Estudiantes and River.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Liga Universitaria Quito 1 (5) - San Lorenzo 1 (3)

LDU held off a typically stubborn San Lorenzo to advance to the semi-finals of the Libertadores Cup on Thursday, edging out their 10-man Argentine opponents in a penalty shootout after the second leg ended 1-1.
LDU became the first Ecuadorean side to reach the last four of the region's most prestigious club tournament since 1998 when they won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
However, their passage to the semi-finals was made all the more difficult by a battling performance from their opponents.
Trailing 1-0 and reduced to 10 men after half an hour in Quito, San Lorenzo fought back to force a draw, but their gallant fightback ended in disappointment when Aureliano Torres's penalty in the shootout was saved by Jose Cevallos.
Midfielder Damian Manso put LDU ahead in the 27th minute with a dipping 30-metre shot which flew through the hands of San Lorenzo goalkeeper Agustin Orion.
Three minutes later, the visitors had Juan Manuel Torres red-carded for what appeared to be nothing more than a shoulder charge.
STUNNING FIGHTBACKS
Despite the setback, and the difficulties of playing at 2,800 metres above sea level, forward Gonzalo Bergessio equalised with a header from a corner three minutes after halftime.
San Lorenzo, in their centenary year, had been desperate to win the tournament for the first time and their campaign was marked by a series of stunning fightbacks.
In the group stage, they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Real Potosi at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level.
In the previous round, they also hit back from 2-0 down, this time with nine men, to draw 2-2 with River Plate and win 4-3 on aggregate. (Herald Tribune)

High Dignity

Today more than ever, we are proud of what our players have done. They showed they've the nerves, category and heart needed to wear our Glorious jersey. It was not possible this time, but we fought until the last penalty, against the 3000 metres of high and against a Mexican referee that showed a completely ridiculous red card to Torres in the middle of the first half. I want to propose a toast to our players, to Ramon and his helpers, and to the greatest supporters in the world. Just a BIG THANKS.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Ivan from Napoli, a new member of the Peña

His name is Ivan. He is from Napoli and he became a member of La Gloriosa at Warwick just when el Pocho Lavezzi started to wear the mitic Napoli jersey. We exchanged jerseys. Ivan sent us Napoli´s Lavezzi jersey to UK and we reciprocate by sending him the jersey he is wearing in the pictures.

He is very proud of wearing his new Glorious jersey. In his words: "ecco le foto con la mitica maglietta che mi hai gentilmente inviato, un regalo bellissimo ed unico! grazie ancora! un abbraccio forte ivan"

Monday, May 19, 2008

Just a draw against our everlasting sons


Ramon Diaz was sent off for throwing an object back into the crowd during his team's 0-0 draw at Huracan in the Argentine championship on Sunday.

The object narrowly missed Diaz when it was thrown at him by a supporter and he picked it up and threw it back.

"They threw things at me for the whole game," he told a news conference after the game. "It was a reaction, and I apologise."

San Lorenzo's players were also pelted with objects when they went to take corners.

A stormy match produced red cards for San Lorenzo's Andres D'Alessandro and Huracan's Hugo Barrientos for fighting in the 85th minute.

San Lorenzo, fourth in the Clausura championship, fell five points behind leaders Estudiantes with four matches each to play

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Bauza Hails Important Result

The Ecuadorian side continued their increasingly impressive run of results in the competition with Thursday's draw in Argentina and Bauza was pleased with the way his team equipped themselves at both ends of the pitch.

"We maintained our usual game, created chances to win the match and didn't panic when San Lorenzo upped their tempo and mounted a siege on our goal in the second half," he told reporters after the match.

"It was logical that San Lorenzo would give everything to score in the final minutes. We prevented them from doing that from the beginning and actually looked like the home team ourselves early on."

The away goal scored by Claudio Bieler on Thursday puts Quito in the driving seat ahead of the return leg in Ecuador, but Bauza knows that the tie is far from won.

"For us it is an important result, but it is not definitive. We have the advantage going into the home game, but nothing is settled yet. We will have to be fully concentrated next week in Quito," he concluded.
(goal.com)

Ramon Diaz: We Deserved More

San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz felt his team should have taken the victory after they were held to a 1-1 draw by LDU Quito in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter final.

The result puts San Lorenzo onto the back foot going into the second leg in Ecuador, but having already shown themselves capable of rising to the occasion in vital matches away from home, Diaz is confident that they can progress to the last four.

"We can do it in the return. We did it before against Real Potosí, and also against River and now we can do it for a third time," he told reporters after the match.

Quito dominated San Lorenzo was some skillful attacking play during much of the first half on Thursday, but Diaz felt that his team had their opponents under control and deserved more having bombarded the Quito goal during the second half.

"We deserved a little more. The one thing that I observed from this match is that we were too desperate at certain moments in the game. The performance of LDU did not surprise me and I believe that we controlled them well. We just needed a bit of luck to win the game at the end," he explained.

"It is clear that I wasn't happy with the players or the supporters in the first half. In the second we reacted with a good attitude and created chances to win the match."

San Lorenzo goalkeeper Agustin Orion practically gifted Quito their goal with a terrible error, but Diaz didn't want to hinge the blame for the draw on his keeper.

"He is a good goalkeeper and everyone commits errors at some point," he concluded.
(goal.com)

Liga de Quito Hold Desperate San Lorenzo

Liga de Quito defended for long periods of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal against San Lorenzo, but were able to pick up a valuable 1-1 draw that puts them in the driving seat for the return leg next week in Quito, Ecuador. Meanwhile, Club America recorded a vital 2-0 victory over Santos in Mexico City.

Liga de Quito, who eliminated Estudiantes de La Plata in the previous round, pushed to the attack early on, and dominated their opponents, with skilful attacking football.

San Lorenzo looked nervous, and although they tried to inflict pressure on the Ecuadoreans they were not in good form.

In the 13th minute San Lorenzo almost went ahead, but a Gonzalo Bergessio effort came off the right post.

Moments later Claudio Bieler should have scored for Liga, but the Argentine shot awfully wide when he was sent through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Andres D'Alessandro almost put the Argentines ahead in the 24th minute, but his powerful free kick was well saved by Liga goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos.

Liga looked strong in the midfield, but were restricted to long distance efforts, that never troubled Agustin Orion.

In the 36th minute Orion tried to control a back pass with some juggling, but he lost control of the ball and Bieler lobbed the ball into the back of the net.

Three minutes later San Lorenzo captain Adrian Gonzalez drew the Argentines level when he curled in a brilliant free kick to the delight of the strong 40,000 crowd.

After the break San Lorenzo dominated their opponents, but didn't attack with any authority, while Liga looked to swift counterattacks.

Liga, who have participated in the Copa Libertadores thirteen times, almost went ahead in the 57th minute, but they had a goal bound effort cleared off the line by a San Lorenzo defender.

From then on San Lorenzo pushed forward in large numbers, but although they piled heavy pressure on their opponents they just couldn't break through a very well disciplined defense.

Minutes later Luis Bolanos sped down the left flank but his powerful effort hit the side netting. It was a further sign that the nine-time Ecuadorean champions were looking for a victory.

But Ramon Diaz's side responded with two good long distance efforts, the second being an outstanding drive from D'Alessandro that flashed inches wide of the right post.

Seconds later the usually reliable Andres Silvera was clear on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat, but he shot weakly.

Liga, who defended for practically the entire second half, held onto a vital 1-1 draw, that puts them in the driving seat for the return leg in Quito.
(goal.com)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Saints Turn Net Towards Romero

Unable to lure Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo la Coruna, San Lorenzo boss Ramon Diaz is now courting Morelia defender Mauricio Romero.

The Copa Libertadores quarterfinalists are suffering from a backline shortage, and are desperate to pull the trigger on a deal.

"I am very happy as it not something I had even imagined would happen," Romreo told La Radio Red. "There was a chance to go to Lanus if they had qualified for this round, but never I thought about San Lorenzo."

"I am ready to play," he declared. "It is an opportunity that really attracts me."
(soccer365.com)

Diaz Looking For New Saints

With the Copa Liberdatores quarterfinal opener gainst Ecudaor's Quito looming, San Lorenzo boss Ramon Diaz is chasing some familiar names to Argentine fans.

The club have suffered some injuries and need reinforcements, which could come in the form of Deportivo defender Fabricio Coloccini and Rosario Central winger Kily Gonzalez.

The trouble with landing the former is San Lorenzo's preference for a loan deal, which does not sit well with the Galicians.

"It is almost impossible," Coloccini, who won a championship during a previous loan stint with El Ciclon, told TyC Sports. "I have three years of contract and I do not believe they will loan me out."

San Lorenzo Seeks Reinforcements



San Lorenzo are searching out possible additions to their squad as they look to maintain their challenge for domestic and Copa Libertadores glory.

El Ciclon are just three points off the top of the Argentine Clausura with five games remaining and face the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter final tie with L.D.U Quito on Thursday of this week.

Recent injuries and suspensions have begun to stretch Ramon Diaz's squad, with the latest injury to Sebastián Méndez prompting the club into an active search for a short-term replacement for the central defender.

Their primary target is Deportivo defender Fabricio Coloccini, who is a life-long supporter of San Lorenzo and tasted Argentine Clausura success with the club during his loan spell from Boca Juniors in 2001.

The club is keen to secure Coloccini's services on a temporary loan arrangement until the end of the Libertadores, but the defender doesn't believe that such a deal is likely to come off.

"It is almost impossible... I have three years of contract and I do not believe they will loan me out," he told TyC Sports.

Outside of defensive targets, San Lorenzo are also looking to add a little extra depth to their attacking options and have identified Rosario Central winger Kily Gonzalez as a financially viable option.

However, with Rosario currently fighting off relegation, it is unlikely that Kily will leave the team at which he started his career, with the player's agent Marcelo Lombilla confirming as much when he spoke to Radio la Red.

"Kily was happy to hear of San Lorenzo's interest... if Central were not battling against relegation then the situation would have been completely different," he affirmed.

(goal.com)

Saturday, May 10, 2008

El Cabezon: "Padrino" de la Gloriosa en UK


Que haceeeee Cabezaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Thanks for all you do for our beloved Colours!
This is the least recognition you can get.
Un abrazo de gooooooolll como siempre, donde quiera que estemos.

San Lorenzo Centenary celebration!



April 1, 2008

On April 2, 2008 it was San Lorenzo's 100 years birthday and many "cuervos" from all over the world flew to Boedo, Argentina, to celebrate it! We were one of them, of course, and we had a big time. We gathered for a barbecue in El Gasometro (San Lorenzo stadium) and we celebrate 100 years of passion and Glory!
We received a pennant from the "Subcomision de Penias" and from Savino, San Lorenzo's current President.

Anirban from India




Anirban is from India and after seeing the what San Lorenzo means, he didn't doubt it and he soon became a San Lorenzo supporter and a member of La Gloriosa of UK! Welcome Anirban to our world!

Amir from Malaysia



Amir used to listen the matches from the radio without fully understanding the spanish from the commentator, although he fully understand the passion for San Lorenzo! Amir is from Malaysia, but his heart is in Boedo!! Gracias Amigo, hasta la victoria, siempre!

Miguel from Portugal



Miguel is Porto supporter and now became a San Lorenzo supporter and a member of La Gloriosa de UK. Welcome Miguel to our world!

Nine-Man San Lorenzo Eliminate River In Thriller



San Lorenzo, who played with nine-men for much of the match, came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with River Plate, a result that sent them through to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. While Santos also sealed their spot in the quarters with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cucuta Deportivo in Colombia.

San Lorenzo, who came into the match with a 2-1 advantage after the first leg result, started the better of the two teams, and tried to catch River by surprise.

But Diego Simeone's side came more into the match as the half progressed, and should have gone ahead when Sebastian Abreu found the back of the net from close range. But the Uruguayans legitimate effort was ruled out for offside.

Two minutes later River went in front when a Matias Abelairas free kick fooled both the San Lorenzo defense and Agustin Orion as it crept in.

From then on both sides created good opportunities, with Andres D'Alessandro being San Lorenzo's main danger man, while Abreu was River's liveliest player.

The intensity of the match continued right throughout the half, as both sides played some very attractive football that was greatly appreciated by the strong 65,000 crowd. Diego Rivero's dismissal didn't seem to affect San Lorenzo.

After the break both sides tested each other, but San Lorenzo's chances of winning the tie decreased when Dario Bottinelli elbowed a River player inside of the box and was ejected in the process.

Abreu stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, firing the ball into the centre of the net. It was the strikers seventh goal of the competition.

Minutes later San Lorenzo could have pulled a goal back, but missed out on an opportunity when Juan Pablo Carrizo spilled a free kick.

In the 70th minute San Lorenzo were rewarded for their efforts, when Gonzalo Bergessio blasted the ball past Carrizo after a brilliantly worked attacking move.

Three minutes later Bergessio put San Lorenzo level when he met a corner kick with a sensational diving header.

River now needed two goals to advance and pushed everyone forward. In the 81st minute Mauro Rosales hit the left post from close range after a goal mouth scramble. Minutes later he saw a header flash wide.

San Lorenzo held on and will meet Liga de Quito of Ecuador in the quarterfinals. The first leg of the tie will be played in Buenos Aires next week.
(goal.com)

Diaz Proud After Comeback Win



San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz was delighted by the efforts of his players as they scored two goals in the last twenty minutes to qualify for the quarter finals of the Copa Libertadores with a 4-3 aggregate win over River Plate.

El Ciclon played most of the second half with nine men following the dismissals of Diego Rivero and Dario Bottinelli and Diaz was immensely satisfied with the way his players fought back despite their two-man deficit.

"I am very happy because the team achieved something that I haven't seen anyone else do in the Libertadores so far, but we have still not won anything," he told reporters after the match.

Diaz led River to Copa Libertadores glory in 1996 as one of seven trophies he won while in charge of Los Millonairos, having also enjoyed two successful spells at the club as a player.

"I am always going to be thankful to the River fans, but this is a profession and they know how it is," he explained.

Gonzalo Bergessio's double strike sealed San Lorenzo's place in the next round, but Diaz didn't wish to single out any one player for particular praise, indicating that it had been a team effort that had seen them through.

"The only thing I requested of the players was to remain calm because the situation was not hopeless. I am very proud of this team and of the club in general," he affirmed.

"The main thing I will say is that we will continue fighting until the end, battling like we always do, because these boys never give in and today they demonstrated that." (Goal.com)

Copa Libertadores: Nine-man San Lorenzo overwhelms River



San Lorenzo came from two goals behind and two men down to pull off a stunning victory over its Argentine rival River Plate and reach the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores in Buenos Aires.

Brazil's Santos also progressed to the last eight on Thursday, eliminating Cucuta of Colombia, 2-0, to complete the quarterfinals lineup with three Brazilian clubs, two each from Argentina and Mexico and one from Ecuador.

San Lorenzo won the first leg against River, 2-1, but appeared to be down and out when it trailed 2-0 midway through the second half and had been reduced to nine men after two expulsions.

Winger Matias Abelairas put River ahead on the night and on the away-goals rule when he scored with a 12th-minute free kick.

San Lorenzo's hopes sank further when Diego Rivero was shown a red card just before halftime, and when Jonathan Botinellis was sent off for a foul. Sebastien Abreu converted the resultant penalty in the 61st minute.

But the striker Gonzalo Bergessio drove home a powerful left-foot shot in the 69th minute to level the aggregate score and four minutes later his glancing header from a corner made it 2-2, with San Lorenzo up 4-3 on aggregate. (international herald tribune)

Monday, September 3, 2007

CADA VEZ SOMOS MAS…

Some of the members of “The Glorious at Warwick” met up in Rome to enjoy the marvellous tastes that Italy has to offer: incredibly nice people, amazing food, wonderful architecture, and a truly deep passion for football!

We made sure that every Italian (and every tourist from anywhere else) would get to know SAN LORENZO. We always walked around wearing the blue and red colours, even when we were inside the Vatican!






More interestingly, we got the chance to evangelize a few Italians to become supporters of our loved SAN LORENZO.

Considering that NAPOLI is the new home of our Ezequiel Lavezzi, we wanted to make a special pact of Friendship with NAPOLI supporters. Here we have a picture of Malena, and the two new Napolitani members of “The Glorious at Warwick”: Ivan D’Angelo and Michelle Raitano.







Even Kiko wanted to become a NAPOLI-and-SAN LORENZO supporter…




Further, following the passion for the blue-and-red colours, we also made a pact of Friendship with the CAGLIARI team. This is Barbara, a Cagliari fun, who has also become a lover of SAN LORENZO…



Thursday, August 9, 2007

Returning to Boedo: Getting Part of our Soul Back



One of these days I am going to devote more time to write about this long, fateful and tragic story. For the time being, let me give you a short snapshot of what has happened to the old San Lorenzo stadium during the dictatorship period.

On May 17th, 1916, San Lorenzo inaugurated his mythic stadium "El Gasometro", located in the neighbourhood of Boedo, with a maximum capacity of 75.000 people. Since then, "El Gasometro" became one of the largest and most comfortable stadiums in Argentina. The most important musical events would be held in “El Gasometro,” and the Argentine National team would play in “El Gasometro.”

One fateful day, March 7th 1980, Osvaldo Cacciatore, Councillor of the City of Buenos Aires in the Argentine Dictatorship at that time, ordered to demolish “El Gasometro” arguing that he wanted to open a new street that would cross the area where the stadium was placed, plus they wanted to build a school also around the same area. Believe it or not, that was a dictatorship and, by definition, they ended up doing what they wanted: “El Gasometro” was demolished.

The story does not finish here though. Would you believe me if I told you that instead of building the school and the street, those lands were sold to Carrefour? It would sound crazy, wouldn’t it? Well, that is what it happened. Carrefour bought the lands in 1985 and they built a cold supermarket in the same place where “El Gasometro” would host emotions and passions of millions of people.

Ten years after the demolition and with a big effort of all San Lorenzo supporters, we all built our new stadium “El Nuevo Gasometro” in the neighbourhood of Villa Soldati. Nevertheless, most of San Lorenzo history and identity still remains in Boedo and it’s our right to get what it has been snatched by the dictatorship back. A group of San Lorenzo supporters (see for example: http://www.volveavenidalaplata.com.ar, http://www.schcasla.com.ar or http://www.deboedovengo.com) are working hard in order to achieve this aim. The first step is to get the portion of land (4500 mts2) in which the school was going to be built but it was never built.

Last Tuesday August 7th, San Lorenzo gave a very important step towards this objective. A Public Audience was held in the San Martín Hall of the City of Buenos Aires Parliament. More than 150 San Lorenzo supporters were present and more than 20 people acted as speakers. Now we need to wait for the final approval. We will keep you updated.

Marcelo´s Speech at the City of Buenos Aires Parliament



Our very good friend, Marcelo Castillo, was one of the speakers in the Parliament. Marcelo and Pato (from this Peña) used to share many years in Buenos Aires talking and discussing about San Lorenzo and writing some of our supporters' songs. It’s a great pleasure that Marcelo is fighting for our rights. We are sure that he is doing it very well, with his blue and red heart and his very clever mind! Below, you can find his speech (in Spanish though, sorry!) taken from www.deboedovengo.com.

Sras. Y Sres:

Mi nombre es Marcelo Castillo, soy ciudadano de Buenos Aires, hincha de San Lorenzo, trabajo en el Grupo Deboedovengo y si bien hoy vivo en Caballito, he vivido muchos años en Parque Chacabuco y Boedo.

Mi intención fundamental es resaltar hoy la importancia y las implicaciones del proyecto que motiva esta Audiencia, tanto para San Lorenzo como para la ciudad.
No se trata simplemente de "devolverle la plaza a San Lorenzo", es mucho más que eso.

A través de la Ley de Reparación Histórica, creada por los Dres. Juan Carlos Temez y Marcelo Vazquez y presentada por el legislador Miguel Talento, estamos, de alguna forma, recuperando una parte de la historia de Buenos Aires. Y una parte muy importante.

Se trata de entender que las historias de San Lorenzo y de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires van de la mano y que la reparación histórica a San Lorenzo de Almagro significa también rescatar una parte muy rica de la historia de la ciudad.

Intelectuales como Adrián Gorelik y Julio Frydenberg han investigado como la confluencia (entre las décadas del 20 y del 40) de los procesos de poblamiento de los "nuevos" suburbios de Buenos Aires, de popularización y posterior masificación del fútbol fue decisiva en la conformación del artefacto "barrio". Esta confluencia ha generado una configuración de la ciudad con numerosos estadios de fútbol que es prácticamente única en el mundo.

Los barrios fueron una construcción pública. Y en general fue una construcción silenciosa. Enorme, pero silenciosa. Y el Gasómetro de Avenida La Plata fue un monumento a tal construcción, impulsada por los vecinos de Boedo y barrios aledaños.

San Lorenzo creció en una sociedad que no había renunciado a cosas tales como equidad, participación, solidaridad, interacción en el espacio público, diversidad cultural. En Buenos Aires, los barrios fueron una de las expresiones de la consecución de esos valores.

Por desgracia, San Lorenzo debió enfrentar la formidable presión de la Municipalidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires para que se fuera de Av. La Plata, incluso antes de la intendencia de Cacciatore. Funcionarios que no lograron percibir el sentido histórico que tenía el Gasómetro, que desdeñaron a la construcción social de la cual era un símbolo, lo eligieron como blanco para sus ataques.
Y así llegamos (extorsión mediante) a la penosa Ordenanza 35637 de Cacciatore refiriéndose al Gasómetro como un "estadio obsoleto y ruinoso"... Solo por eso la ordenanza debería ser derogada.

PERDIO SAN LORENZO SU LUGAR EN EL MUNDO Y PERDIO LA CIUDAD UN LUGAR HISTORICO, casi sin advertirlo, supuestamente para dar paso a un "complejo urbanístico" que nunca se construyó.
San Lorenzo se quedó prácticamente sin presencia en Av. La Plata. Y ha pagado las consecuencias.

Pasaron muchos años hasta que los sanlorencistas pudimos comenzar a pensar en recuperar nuestra identidad y el sentido de pertenencia. Y celebro que la Legislatura haya acompañado este proceso, rescatando desde las las instituciones la historia del Gasómetro y su indigno final.

Esto muestra que en algunas cosas hemos crecido, que hemos empezado a comprender el rol social fundamental de los clubes en la ciudad y su innegable significado histórico.

Mediante el proyecto de ley de referencia ganan San Lorenzo y la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. En primer lugar, porque recuperan (ambos) la conciencia de su historia y a partir de ella pueden construir un futuro mejor.

Gana la Ciudad de Buenos Aires porque da un mejor uso al predio de Marmol y Salcedo. Es muy importante tener en cuenta que NO SE PIERDE UNA PLAZA, SE DA UN MEJOR USO A UN PREDIO QUE CONSTITUYE UN RETAZO DE UNA OPERACIÓN URBANISTICA FALLIDA, QUE HA SIDO ESCASAMENTE USADO POR LOS VECINOS SIMPLEMENTE PORQUE NO SIRVE COMO PLAZA.

Devolver el terreno a sus legítimos dueños para que puedan cumplir los objetivos sociales que la entidad persiguió desde su fundación en 1908, fortaleciendo de esta manera a una institución histórica de la ciudad, solo puede entenderse como una ganancia para la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.

Queremos, además, que la restitución del predio a San Lorenzo de Almagro implique un cuestionamiento a determinados paradigmas de la planificación urbana. La desaparición (extorsión mediante) del Gasómetro de Av. La Plata se concretó durante la intendencia de facto del brigadier Cacciatore, pero fue alentada desde muchos años antes por los planificadores urbanos de la Municipalidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Más aún, algunos de los funcionarios que participaron en forma directa en la desaparición del Gasómetro se desempeñan hoy como asesores del Gobierno de la Ciudad. Y no creo que hayan cambiado su forma de pensar sobre el tema. Y muchos de sus colegas tampoco.

Como decía al principio, debe producirse una concientización sobre el hecho de que LOS CLUBES DE FUTBOL Y SUS ESTADIOS SON PARTE DE LA HISTORIA DE BUENOS AIRES.

Existe consenso sobre la necesidad de desarrollar la zona sur de la ciudad, pero es importante tener en cuenta que el sur de la ciudad no es solamente el Riachuelo, pensar la cosas de esa manera quizás sea la mejor forma de fracasar. Debe aprovecharse todo el potencial social y cultural de la zona sur, por ejemplo, el del barrio de Boedo. Pero claro, para esto se necesitan recursos e instalaciones, entre otras cosas. Pienso que afianzar la presencia del club San Lorenzo de Almagro en la zona de Av. La Plata apunta en ese sentido.

Y con esta Ley gana San Lorenzo porque recupera presencia en su lugar del alma, porque el predio le permitirá profundizar sus vinculos con la comunidad y de esta forma crecer como institución.

La recuperación del terreno es fundamental para San Lorenzo y todo lo que se diga al respecto es poco, pero es ni más ni menos que un comienzo. Luego será fundamental tomar decisiones acertadas sobre qué construir en el predio.

En este sentido, no queremos que la recuperación del terreno venga acompañada de fuertes limitaciones para su utilización, tal circunstancia desvirtuaría totalmente la Reparación Histórica que las instituciones de la Ciudad han decidido.

Creemos que el terreno debería encuadrarse dentro del Distrito de zonificación E4, que permitiría una gran variedad de usos y además protegería al terreno de una eventual venta futura que por supuesto sería contraria a la Reparación Histórica que tratamos.

Pensamos que San Lorenzo debe aprovechar fuertemente el terreno en el futuro, que además de servir para actividades sociales debe ser un lugar donde pasen cosas importantes, que hagan que se vuelva a asociar a San Lorenzo con Boedo pero no sólo por tradición sino por presente y sobre todo futuro, mostrando que el regreso a Boedo es una realidad posible y tangible. Queremos que lo que se construya en el terreno transmita la idea de un San Lorenzo fuerte, de un camino nuevo que está siendo recorrido desde la conciencia de la identidad y de la historia.

Respetando nuestro pasado, nuestra tradición y el arraigo que, en conjunto, componen nuestra identidad y sentido de pertenencia, emprenderemos una nueva etapa en la vida de San Lorenzo con nuevos sueños, sin los cuales no hay futuro.

Muchas Gracias.