Penya Blaugrana London

Penya Blaugrana London attended the Final 4 at the O2 arena to help FC Barcelona reach European glory.  In the end, the dream was not possible, mostly due to so many injured players.  Our members, however, enjoyed two great days with fantastic basketball.

Penya Blaugrana London is well known for the great group photographs that their members take with the penya flag.  Another lesser known fact the art, hard work, and order out of chaos that is required to achieve them.

This article tries to gives an inside into how to make the perfect penya group photo.

Step 1. Somebody says something along the lines... alright boys, too much beer already, let’s get to work, shall we take a penya photo?

Step 2. Noise, confusion, chaos, grumblings, people finishing off their drinks quickly, others vaguely planning how to pose...

Step 3. Among all the confusion, penya members slowly fall back into position without realising, as if attracted by a dark and mysterious force...

Step 4. Alright, everybody ready..... smile.... HOLD ON, WHERE IS THE FLAG????

Step 5. Ups sorry, I’ve got it... hold on, I don’t seem to be able to take it off...

Step 6. Ok, now the flag is ready, but still among the chaos the two members kneeling down (and still posing in their earlier posture) haven’t noticed they are completely covered by the flag

Step 7. Smile!!!!

Trying to get members in the mood for a weekend of Final 4 in London, and the chances of Barça Regal reaching European glory, we decided to organise the first ever basketball match in the penya.  As the pictures show, it was a great success! 

A contingent of PBL members went to Paris to support our team against the difficult match against PSG.

Fantastic atmosphere at PBL to watch the second leg Champions League match against PSG.  It was a tense and stressful game, accompanied by very poor playing from our team that had to resort to a limping Messi.  

This is a secret no more.  A full inside behind the scenes at what really goes on at PBL after a match...

Few PBL members visited Milan to support FC Barcelona in their Champions league tie against AC Milan.  Judging by the pictures, it was a great day... just until the match started...

Great atmosphere at Bar&Co to watch the first tie against Real Madrid for the semi final of the copa del Rei. 

After the match, many penya members stayed behind for the after party PBL style!

Penya Blaugrana London members celebrated the Penya’s 27th year anniversary.  PBL is proud to be the second oldest penya outside of Spain.

As part of the celebrations, members started the day with a football tournament that showed our members are not only good at watching football (and drinking beer) but also at playing football. Then we all gathered at Bar&Co for the penya anniversary dinner comprising of many tapas, traditional potato omelettes and a fantastic paella.  Not to forget the traditional cake and cava!

To top off a great anniversary, Espanyol joined the celebrations by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, and the day was complete by a clear victory of FC Barcelona over the runners up At Madrid 4-1.

All and all it was the perfect day!

Penya Blaugrana London sent a delegation of 25 members to Glasgow to support our team at Celtic Park.  The atmosphere inside and outside the stadium was electric, and Barca fans were impressed by the good nature and friendship of Celtic fans. 

Also, Penya Blaugrana London attended the traditional Penya dinner organised by Penya Union Blaugrana.  FC Barcelona was represented by Josep Maria Barnils, director of the Social Commission and responsible for foreign penyas, and Jordi Moix, director of the Economic and Strategy Area.

Penya Blaugrana London also participated in the events organised by FC Barcelona and the University Ramon Llull on November 7 in the University of Glasgow to promote Catalan culture and sport.  Jimmy Burns, PBL Institutional Relations Delegate, was the moderator in a talk about international fan clubs.  Guest speakers were Josep Maria Barnils, Adam Brown, Penya Union Blaugrana vice president, and Mateusz Szczepanski, spokesman for Fan Club Barça Polska