A football derby in Barcelona
Forget about La Rambla and Gaudí. When the aircraft takes off from Luleå Airport in December, football will be the reason that 80-year-old Asta Joneland is travelling to Barcelona.
She is travelling with members of her family to see some of the best footballers in the world play each other at one of the world’s greatest football stadiums.
The derby between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol will be played at Europe’s largest football stadium, Camp Nou, on 13 December. “It’ll be amazing”, says an excited 80-year-old. “I’ve never seen this type of football live, and I’m really looking forward to a wonderful experience.”
Zlatan will enrich the experience Asta has always been interested in sport, and follows everything from Swedish league football and La Liga in Spain to Formula 1 and the Tour de France. “I enjoy watching sport, and see most of what they show on TV. My favourite sport is skiing, closely followed by football and ice hockey.”
The trip to Barcelona is Asta’s birthday present from her family. And just two days after they booked the trip, it was announced that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was to join FC Barcelona. “It went without saying that the trip would be to Barcelona. Asta is a great fan of the Barcelona football team and many of her favourite players play there. But, of course, Zlatan’s arrival gives added spice to the trip and the present”, says her son, Rasmus Joneland.
New and old favourites
Otherwise, FC Barcelona’s attacking right wing Lionel Messi is Asta’s favourite. He is widely tipped to become the FIFA “World Player of the Year 2009”. “He is not only fast, but also highly skilled, and this makes him a fantastic player”, she says.
The fact that her previous favourite Ronaldinho has left FC Barcelona to sign for AC Milan is a slight disappointment for Asta as she prepares for the trip. “Well – he used to be my favourite player, but I’m now really looking forward to travelling down to see the derby in December, even though Ronaldinho has left the club. It will be a great experience, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with my family,” concludes Asta Joneland.
