Valencia make emotional return after deadly floods

Valencia made an emotional return to action with a 4-2 win against Real Betis at Mestalla on Saturday after flooding in the region took the lives of at least 221 people last month.

It marked Valencia’s first match since flood waters swept through the province after heavy rainfall on Oct. 29, with games against Real Madrid, Espanyol and Parla Escuela subsequently postponed

The club used the occasion to raise money for the affected areas and to pay tribute to those who died, with players and supporters in tears before kick-off.

“I don’t know what to say,” Valencia boss Ruben Baraja said. “It may well be the most emotional moments I’ve experienced in football, certainly one of them.”

Defender César Tárrega — whose family home in Aldaya was flooded last month and who was among those visibly affected pre-game — then opened the scoring as Valencia went on to secure their first win since Sept. 21.

Betis levelled through a Hugo Duro own goal, but two Duro goals at the right end and another from Diego López paved the way for Los Che to move off the bottom of the LaLiga table with just their second victory of the campaign.

Chimy Ávila netted a consolation for Betis but Valencia held on for the three points on a day as memorable for events off the pitch as on them.

Valencia had announced that all the match day revenue would be donated to help support and regenerate the towns which were hit hardest, while the players also wore black, instead of their usual white home kit, as a mark of respect.

Before the match, a giant Senyera — the flag of the region — covered the playing surface as the two sets of players emerged from the tunnel and carried a giant black memorial symbol on to the pitch.

The region’s anthem was then played as an enormous tifo was unveiled displaying the names of the towns and villages affected, sparking tears among the Valencia players and the supporters.

“The emotions, the atmosphere, the respect the Mestalla showed, it gave you goosebumps seeing how we paid homage to the victims,” Baraja said.

“The victory is dedicated to all of the victims and all of those affected. We are with them. We want them to know that their club will help them and support in them in the reconstruction of the [towns and villages]. This victory is for all of them. It’s been a really special day.”

It was Valencia’s first game since a 1-1 draw at Getafe on Oct. 27 and their first at home since a 3-2 loss to Las Palmas on Oct. 21.

After the flooding, their Copa del Rey trip to Parla Escuela was suspended, as well as their home game against Madrid in LaLiga on Nov. 2.

Villarreal‘s LaLiga fixture against Rayo Vallecano was also called off that weekend, along with second division matches involving Levante, Castellón and Eldense, who are all based in and around the affected areas.

Several LaLiga coaches, including Atlético Madrid‘s Diego Simeone, argued the scale of the catastrophe should have seen all football across Spain halted at the time.

Valencia were the last of those five clubs to return to action, though, with Villarreal, Levante, Castellón and Eldense all having played games in the last two weeks.

The cleanup effort across the region is ongoing. It is expected to take months, if not longer, to regenerate the homes and businesses which have been destroyed.

The latest fatality account, issued on Friday, remains at 221, with another five people still registered as missing.