FC Barcelona have paid tribute to the pioneers who 50 years ago, under the name of Selecció Ciutat de Barcelona (considered the genesis of women’s football at the club), took to the pitch at the Camp Nou to play against Unió Esportiva Centelles. The event took place during halftime in Barça Women’s match against Espanyol -the first time that the team have played at the Camp Nou since their professionalisation.
At the event, which was held at the Llotja section of the stadium, FC Barcelona Management Committee president Carles Tusquets presented a model of the stadium to Carme Nieto, a former player for Selecció Ciutat de Barcelona, in memory of that historic match on December 25th, 1970. Also taking part in the event were Gemma Giró, director of the club's Players' Association and former Barça Women player, and Joan Ramon Ramos, vicepresident of FC Barcelona Management Committee. Nieto took part on behalf of the team that made history 50 years ago.
A historic game
On Christmas Day, 1970, Selecció Ciutat de Barcelona -coached by legendary goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets- played a goalless draw against Unió Esportiva Centelles, as a prelude to a first team match against CSKA Sofia. That game at the Camp Nou, in front of 60,000 people, became part of Barça Women’s history, even though they could not wear the club colours or use the FC Barcelona at that time. Previously, the stadium had hosted two other women’s matches, in 1967 and 1969, but these were between teams that had been created only for the occasion. Selecció Ciutat de Barcelona had been founded to lay the foundations for a project for the future.
The spirit of those pioneers was present in the match against Espanyol, through the patch worn by Lluís Cortés' players on their shirts. Through speed time technology on the LED screens bordering the pitch, and the stadium video screen, the match was remembered.
